Discovering Film - Jeremy Irons - 4:00 pm Tuesday, June 2 on Sky Arts

About this Broadcast

Jeremy Irons
Season 14, Episode 9

A profile of the English actor, who found fame in TV drama Brideshead Revisited before starring in films including The Mission, and Reversal of Fortune, for which he won an Oscar

HD subtitles 16x9 audio-description

Arts/Culture (without Music) Film/Cinema

Did You Know..

Jeremy Irons (Actor)

Born: September 19, 1948 in Cowes, Isle of Wight

Best Known For: Brideshead Revisited.

Early-life: Born Jeremy John Irons in Cowes on the Isle of Wight on September 19, 1948. He has two older siblings. The young Jeremy was a natural performer, playing drums and the harmonica in a band at Sherborne School in Dorset. Determined to become a professional actor, he trained at the Bristol Old Vic and joined its repertory company. During his time there he portrayed an eclectic mix of roles and gained valuable experience, leading to his acclaimed West End debut in the hit musical Godspell in 1971.

Career: Irons made his TV debut in 1971 in the series The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes and landed several other roles throughout the decade, including in the children's series Play Away. But it was in the 1980s he became widely recognised, thanks to the movie The French Lieutenant's Woman and TV tour de force Brideshead Revisited. These made him a sought after leading man and he went on to appear in productions such as Dead Ringers, Damage, Lolita, Die Hard with a Vengeance and Reversal of Fortune, for which he won an Oscar. He also lent his voice to The Lion King and has trodden the boards on Broadway, starred with his son Samuel in Danny the Champion of the World, and had a major role in The Borgias.

Quote: 'I'm never satisfied. I think were I ever satisfied with my work, I'd be in trouble.'

Trivia: Irons owns Kilcoe Castle in Co Cork, Ireland. He claims to hate cooking, but is a good horseman and enjoys skiing.