Advanced search

Striking Irish actor Cillian Murphy was born in Douglas, the oldest child of Brendan Murphy, who works for the Irish Department of Education, and a mother who is a teacher of French. He has three younger siblings. Murphy was educated at Presentation Brothers College, Cork. He went on to study law at University College Cork, but dropped out after about a year. During this time, Murphy also pursued an interest in music, playing guitar in various bands. Upon leaving University, Murphy joined the Corcadorca Theater Company in Cork, and played the lead role in "Disco Pigs", amongst other plays.

Various film roles followed, including a film adaptation of Disco Pigs (2001). However, his big film break came when he was cast in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later (2002), which became a surprise international hit. This performance earned him nominations for Best Newcomer at the Empire Awards and Breakthrough Male Performance at the MTV Movie Awards.

Murphy went on to supporting roles in high-profile films such as Cold Mountain (2003) and Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003), and then was cast in two villain roles: Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka The Scarecrow, in Batman Begins (2005) and Jackson Rippner in Red Eye (2005). Although slight in nature for a villain, Murphy's piercing blue eyes helped to create creepy performances and critics began to take notice. Manhola Dargis of the New York Times cited Murphy as a "picture-perfect villain", while David Denby of The New Yorker noted he was both "seductive" and "sinister".

Later that year, Murphy starred as Patrick "Kitten" Braden, an Irish transgender woman in search of her mother in Neil Jordan's Breakfast on Pluto (2005), a film adaptation of the Pat McCabe novel. Although the film was not a box office success, Murphy was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical and he won Best Actor for the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards.

The following year, Murphy starred in Ken Loach's The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006). The film was the most successful independent Irish film and won the Palm D'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. Murphy continued to take roles in a number of independent films, and also reprised his role as the Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008). Nolan is known for working with actors in multiple films, and cast Murphy in Inception (2010) as Robert Fischer, the young heir of the multi-billion dollar empire, who was the target of DiCaprio's dream team. His most well-known work is starring as Thomas Shelby in the British TV show Peaky Blinders beginning in 2013.

Murphy continues to appear in high-profile films such as In Time (2011), Red Lights (2012), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), the final film in Nolan's Batman trilogy.

Murphy is married to Yvonne McGuinness, an artist. The couple have two sons, Malachy and Aran.

Joseph William Locke, known as Joe Locke, is a Manx actor. He is known for his lead role as Charlie Spring in the Netflix teen series Heartstopper (2022), for which he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Performance at the Children's and Family Emmy Awards.

Joseph William Locke grew up in Douglas, Isle of Man.

In April 2021, it was announced Locke would star as lead character Charlie Spring in his debut television role in the 2022 Netflix coming-of-age series Heartstopper (2022), an adaptation of the webcomic and graphic novel of the same name by Alice Oseman. He was chosen out of 10,000 other potential actors who were up for the role through an open casting call. While Locke was 17 at the time of the filming, his role has him playing a 14-15 year old student in an English boys' grammar school.

In November 2022, it was announced that Locke had been cast in Marvel Studios' WandaVision (2021) spin-off television series Agatha All Along (2024) for Disney+.

With a presentation of engaging tunes, dynamic vocals, and poetic flair in a passionately charged live setting, Jennifer Nettles and her band were quite successful during the mid- to late '90s. Originally a native of Atlanta, GA, Nettles' successful career began with the release of Story of Your Bones and quickly a following was created. Over the course of her touring, Nettles received rave reviews from many publications including Jezebel, Atlanta City Mag, the Album Network, Southeastern Performer, and the Performing Songwriter. Nettles has been rewarded with gigs at such momentous occasions such as the 1999 Lilith Fair Tour, Big Day Out 2000, and Music Midtown 1999.

Though much of her crafty songwriting and poetic expression merits a listen on their own, Nettles joins the royal company of a gifted and charismatic backing band. Drummer Brad Sikes puts forth the group's ever-changing and diverse rhythms. Scott Nicholson brings to life the magic of the piano's keys with stirring ebony-and-ivory passages. Wesley Lupold lays down the framework of the songs chord structures with bass. And Mike Cebulski presents an eclectic array of sounds and rhythms with his gift of percussion. Nettles has received airplay in major cities such as New York, Cleveland, Memphis, Atlanta, and throughout the Carolinas. Because of her songwriting magic and growing fan base, and those behind the scenes who devote their time toward helping market her music, Jennifer Nettles received the distinguished honor of being presented the Independent Musician of the Year award for 2001.

Nettles was influenced and inspired by a splendid mix of rock, blues, folk, and soul, and those influences reflect clearly in her work. She began her singing career in 1996 while performing with Soul Miner's Daughter in the Atlanta and Decatur music scene. A singer since the age of seven, Nettles certainly is not shy of showing her witty charm, and is not afraid of challenging herself to continually write and sing powerful, honest, soul-charging songs with engaging lyrical content. At times her tunes are filled with amazing richness and personality, while others leave the listener dazed and haunted. Referred to as the Jennifer Nettles Band, the group makes routine trips to such notable venues as the Variety Playhouse (Atlanta), the 40 Watt (Athens), and the Mercury Lounge (New York City). Her songs are full of poetic meaning, and the band plays with a sense of attitude, winning over her audiences each and every time, and making a crop of fresh new listeners happy as well. Her release Gravity: Drag Me Down appeared in February 2002.

Jamie Alexander Blackley is a British actor. He is known for his role as Adam Wilde in the film If I Stay. Blackley was born in Douglas, Isle of Man, and was raised in London, England, with his father Martin, mother Marina, and older sister Holly-Anna. His first major appearance was as Hanschen in the London stage production of Spring Awakening. Blackley had a small role as Iain in the fairy tale/action-adventure movie Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), but some of his most prominent film roles include Mark in the thriller Uwantme2killhim? (2013), Sigurdur Thordarson in the thriller The Fifth Estate (2013), and Adam Wilde in the romantic drama If I Stay (2014). He played Freddie Hamilton in The Halcyon.

If you were to try and summarize Barry Gibb's forty-five year career in the music industry in a single phrase you would probably come up with something such as "versatile". Barry Gibb continues to remain an important, relevant figure in the music industry due to his willingness to adapt his music, his style and his image into whatever musical styling is at the fore. What makes the story of Barry Gibb so unique is that he has had a successful musical career of over forty years, continually restyling both the image and the music of the Bee Gees in order to remain relevant to the contemporary era. Barry has gone from being the front man of the soft rock/pop styling of the Bee Gees in the 1960s, to bringing the disco scene to the fore in the 70s, becoming a crooner in the 80s and reinventing his career yet again in the 1990s, as the Bee Gees enjoyed yet another reinvigoration, as their new albums and hit "One Night Only" tour proved that the music of the Bee Gees was timeless. Lasting over forty years, the Bee Gees are one of the longest running musical acts of all-time, and Barry's longevity can be attributed in part to the timelessness of his songs about unrequited love, soul-mates, people finding courage in times of dismay and above all, celebrating the short time we have on this earth.

Barry's story begins on the 1st of September 1946, where he was born the second of five children to parents Barbara and Hugh Gibb. In the early 1960s Barry, and his twin brothers, Maurice and Robin, formed pop group The Bee Gees, named in tribute to two people who helped launch their career, racetrack promoter Bill Goode and a DJ named Bill Gates. It was later changed to an acronym for the Brothers Gibb.

Barry and his family emigrated to Australia shortly after the birth of youngest sibling Andy, and the Gibbs performed anywhere and everywhere they could, in order to raise some pocket money. After securing a spot performing on local television shows, they were eventually signed for a record label in 1963. From the outset Barry was the primary creative force behind the music of the Bee Gees, penning the majority of their hit songs in the 1960s as well as countless other songs for other artists. In the 1970s the was a drastic change to the dynamics of the music industry, which saw singers from previous eras struggle to remain relevant. Barry helped pave the way for the Bee Gees most memorable decade, as he came up with the idea of performing in their now trademark falsetto's, as well as helping to launch the career of his youngest sibling, Andy Gibb. Barry became a mentor to the young Andy, guiding him in his initial foray into the music industry, by penning the majority of his hit singles.

The 1980s saw Barry struggle to remain relevant to the music industry, as the onset of the electro-funk styling of bands such as INXS saw the Bee Gees labeled as "uncool". Barry refused to be swayed by the Bee Gees dwindling record sales, and continued to record as both part of the Bee Gees, while also making his mark as a songwriter for other artists, penning memorable hit songs for artists as diverse as Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross and Olivia Newton-John. In 1988 Barry was heartbroken when brother Andy Gibb succumbed to years of substance abuse, and died at the age of 30. Just months before in was decided that Andy would be joining the Bee Gees as the fourth member, and Andy's death took a toll on Barry for the remainder of that decade, and his musical creativity diminished.

While Barry continues to record in the early 90s, it wasn't until 1997 that the Bee Gees returned to the fore, with the critically hailed "Still Waters" album. In late 1997 Barry, Robin and Maurice performed the legendary "One Night Only" concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, and the DVD recording of the concert has gone on to become the highest selling music DVD in Australian history, remaining on the ARIA DVD chart for over ten years.

In 2003 Maurice Gibb died of a cardiac arrest because of a congenital birth defect, bringing to a close the forty year career of The Bee Gees. However, Barry continues to remain in the public eye, as he has become more politically active, as he has generated controversy for his staunch criticism of the Schappelle Corby trial and lack of copyright protection for sound recordings in the UK. Few singers can boast having a number one record in five consecutive decades as Barry can, and with artists such as Faith No More, Wyclef Jean and Ronan Keating covering Barry's songs, Barry's timeless lyrics continue to reach out to a new generation of listeners.

Dursley McLinden was educated at Douglas High School and joined London's Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. A talented actor, singer and dancer, over the following years he would appear in numerous productions in Britain and abroad, including Annie, Robert and Elizabeth, Damn Yankees, Gigi, The Threepenny Opera, Macbeth, The Crucifer of Blood, To Kill a Mocking Bird and Follies. He was also involved in West End Cares, the theatre arm of the AIDS charity Crusaid.

He was still performing until ten weeks before his death from AIDS in 1995. His final production was The Phantom of the Opera.

Maurice Gibb was born on 22 December 1949 in Douglas, Isle of Man, UK. He was an actor and composer, known for Saturday Night Fever (1977), Ready Player One (2018) and Virtuosity (1995). He was married to Yvonne Gibb and Lulu. He died on 12 January 2003 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA.

Robin Gibb was born in 1949 on the Isle of Man, about half an hour before his twin brother Maurice. His parents, Barbara and Hugh, were both musical. Barbara sang and Hugh was a drummer and bandleader. Robin had four siblings - an older sister and brother, Lesley and Barry, twin Maurice and younger brother Andy. The family moved for some time to Manchester, England before emigrating to Australia in 1958.

During their childhood, Robin, Maurice and Barry began performing together. They played under various band names, but finally settled on The Bee Gees. It was in Australia that the band first tasted success, topping the charts there in 1965 with 'Spicks and Specks'. In 1966 they relocated back to the UK and landed a recording contract with Polydor. Chart success followed in the UK and USA.

In the late 60s, tensions arose in the band, and Robin briefly left to pursue a solo career, but the group reunited and continued having success, including switching to a more disco sound. In 1977, The Bee Gees wrote and produced five songs for the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever (1977). The film was a smash and the soundtrack album went on to become one of the biggest selling of all time, elevating The Bee Gees to superstar group status.

Robin and the group also became known for penning hit records for other artists including Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. The band continued writing and performing into the 1990s, but disbanded officially in 2003 when Maurice Gibb died suddenly at 53. Robin continued to write and perform solo material, and became involved in charity work in support of British troops. In 2011 it was announced that he was suffering with cancer. After a brave battle with the disease and other health problems, Robin Gibb passed away on May 20th 2012.

Jennifer Sears was born on 21 March 1982 in Douglas, Georgia, USA. She is an actress, known for Madea's Family Reunion (2006), F-Boy Free and The Sound of Christmas (2022).

Extremely prolific and ubiquitous extra Arthur Roland Tovey was born on November 14, 1904 in Douglas, Arizona. Tovey appeared in his first film in an uncredited minor role in 1924 and began working profusely as a background extra starting in the mid-1940's. One of the most busy and tireless of American bit players, Arthur popped up in scores of movies and TV shows alike in a career that spanned an impressive seven decades altogether and was still plugging away into his early 90's. Moreover, Tovey not only served in the U.S. Army during World War II, but also was a longtime member of both the Musicians Local 47 -- he was a musician all his life who was especially adept at playing the piano -- and the Screen Actors Guild. Arthur died at age 95 of natural causes at his home in Van Nuys, California on October 20, 2000.

Rene L. Moreno was born on 26 December 1969 in Douglas, Arizona, USA. He is an actor, known for Sex and the City (2008), Dumb and Dumber (1994) and Captive State (2019).

Elizabeth Nicole Fraser was born in Douglas, GA, the first child to Cyndi, an elementary school teacher and David Thieme, a heavy equipment salesman. Her family moved to Sarasota, FL when she was young and she grew up there. She graduated from University of Florida with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and moved to Tampa where she worked at Home Shopping Network as model.

She eventually moved to Los Angeles where she met her husband, Johnny Fraser, a filmmaker, in 2008 and they welcomed their first child, Ondine, in 2015. She has a younger sister, Brinson, who is a storyboard artist on the hit TV show Family Guy.

Definitely not your average 'prairie flower', brunette Evelyn Ruth Finley was known as the most accomplished stunt rider in the western genre. Famous director William A. Wellman was one of many who regarded her as the best in the business. She worked with horses from early childhood and grew up a tomboy on her father's ranch. Her dad had promised 'to put her into pictures', but how she eventually arrived in Hollywood is unclear. Winning a beauty contest as 'Miss Albuquerque' might have helped. The year was 1936 and her first picture was as stunt double to Jean Parker. By 1940, Evelyn was under contract at Monogram where her skills in the saddle quickly promoted her to leading lady opposite the likes of Tex Ritter, Tom Keene, Johnny Mack Brown and Buster Crabbe. As blonde Eve Anderson, she got to star in one of the last serials made at Columbia, Perils of the Wilderness (1956). However, Evelyn preferred the stunt work to acting, often doubling on horseback for glamorous stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Loretta Young. She remained involved in her area of expertise, either actively or as technical adviser, well into the 1980's. When not working in the film industry, she toured as an equestrian performer at different circuses. Evelyn was inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame.

Composer, songwriter and actor Stan Jones was born in Douglas, Arizona, on June 5, 1914. He learned to ride horses as a child, a skill that came in handy later in his life (as did his talent for singing and playing the guitar). After his father died his mother moved the family to Los Angeles. He attended UC Berkeley for a time, and began riding the rodeo circuit in his spare time to make money. He dropped out of college in 1934, however, to join the navy, and after his discharge held a variety of jobs all over the country, including copper miner, logger and snowplow driver. He was hired as a firefighter by the US Forest Service, and later became a Forest Ranger, being assigned to various national parks in the western US.

While stationed at Death Valley, California, in 1948, he was assigned to be technical advisor for a western being shot there, The Walking Hills (1949). In between filming, he would sit around with the cast and crew and play various songs he had written. They encouraged him to try to get the songs published, and he eventually sent his compositions to several music publishers. One of his songs was picked up and recorded by folksinger Burl Ives for Columbia Records, "Riders in the Sky". It was then recorded by Bing Crosby and, under the title "Ghost Riders in the Sky", by Vaughn Monroe, whose version became a major hit, so much so that cowboy actor Gene Autry filmed a movie using the title (Riders in the Sky (1949)), in addition to recording the song itself, and Stan's career was off and running. His songs were used in two westerns by acclaimed director John Ford -- Wagon Master (1950) and Rio Grande (1950), in which Stan also played a cavalry sergeant -- and Autry again made a movie based on another of Stan's songs, Whirlwind (1951), in which Stan also had a small part. His songs were used in a half-dozen more films over the next few years.

In 1955 actor Harry Carey Jr. was hired by Walt Disney for a TV series called The Adventures of Spin and Marty (1955). Carey had worked with Stan on both "Wagon Master" and "Rio Grande" and suggested to Disney that Stan be hired to write songs for the show, a suggestion Disney followed. Stan wrote all the songs for the first two seasons of the show (he also made an occasional appearance before the cameras), but for the third season many of the songs were written by others, although some of Stan's were used.

He later worked on the soundtracks for several Disney films, and was the co-writer for the theme song for the western series Cheyenne (1955). In 1956 he was hired to play Deputy Olson on the modern-day western series The Sheriff of Cochise (1956) (later renamed "U.S. Marshal") and in addition wrote the theme song and even some episodes of the show. In 1959 he worked for director John Ford again, writing the songs for his western The Horse Soldiers (1959) and even playing, uncredited, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Then it was back to television work for Disney. His last film as an actor was in Ten Who Dared (1960).

Stan Jones died in Los Angeles, California, in 1963.

Lynne Carver was born on 13 September 1916 in Douglas, Arizona, USA. She was an actress, known for The Bride Wore Red (1937), Dulcy (1940) and Everybody Sing (1938). She was married to John Burt, William J. Mullaney, Nicholas Nayfack and R. C. McClung. She died on 12 August 1955 in New York City, New York, USA.

John Ryan Howard is a multi-award winning actor from Douglas, Cork City, Ireland.

John trained under Hollywood's top acting coach, Margie Haber of Margie Haber Studios, Los Angeles, in Screen Acting. Most recently he studied under IFTA award winning director Terry McMahon in Dublin.

John has performed leading roles in over 30 short films ranging from horror to comedy. Most recently he played the lead role of 'Mike' in the horror short 'Don't Open The Box' directed by award-winning film-maker Sean Breathnach.

Theatre highlights include Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', directed by Cal Duggan, for Kinsale Arts Week. John played the leading role of 'Lord Henry' for which he received critical acclaim. Alannah Hopkin, theatre critic for The Irish Times, said, ''the talent and subtlety of John Ryan Howard was especially impressive.''

In 2016 John won the leading role of 'Ger' in the feature length horror movie 'Beyond The Woods' directed by award-winning director Sean Breathnach. After screening at some of the world's biggest film festivals 'Beyond The Woods' won two best feature awards and picked up a National Film Award nomination in London. Following general release 'Beyond The Woods' was recommended in Empire magazine by legendary film critic Kim Newman who said ''Beyond The Woods really works. An excellent cast of unfamiliar (but plainly professional) Irish actors manage to convey a complicated set of interrelationships in the group which keep everyone off-balance even before the scare stuff starts.'' John was also singled out for his performance in 'Beyond The Woods' by film critics. Philip Rogers said ''John Ryan Howard stood out for me.'' Starburst magazine's Rich Cross said ''John Ryan Howard as the emotionally wounded Ger stands out.''

In 2022, John's second feature film - 'Gateway' - directed by IFTA nominated director Niall Owens was released by Dark Sky Films to critical acclaim. 'Gateway' was later released on Shudder internationally.

In the summer of 2023, John won 7 Best Actor Awards for his lead performance in Sean Breathnach's 'Don't Open The Box.'

In 2024, John was cast in 'Stupid August' directed by Padraig Trehy about the life of Charlie Chaplan.

60 year old actor born in the Isle of Man. Son of actor John Bott, began professional career in 1976 at Frinton Summer Theatre and from there graduated to touring, rep and fringe productions all over the UK, culminating in membership of the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company.

Most recently, seen in leading role of 'Superintendent Desmond Noakes' for 15 episodes of BBC's 'Doctors' in a story leading up to their historic 3,000th episode.

John Bott was born on 28 March 1923 in Douglas, Isle of Man, UK. He was an actor, known for Orlando (1992), Anna of the Five Towns (1985) and A Question of Guilt (1980). He died on 3 May 1994 in Washington, USA.

Brown Derby was born on 5 May 1914 in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, UK. He was an actor, known for The Omega Factor (1979), Redgauntlet (1959) and Starr and Company (1958). He died on 17 July 2000.

Peggy Ahern was born on 9 March 1917 in Douglas, Arizona, USA. She was an actress, known for Not So Long Ago (1925), The Vanishing American (1925) and The Sun Down Limited (1924). She died on 24 October 2012 in Culver City, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Atteneded Coffee High School in Douglas, Georgia. Was USA Today All-American track and field selection. Originally entered the NFL as the Chiefs fifth round (165th overall) pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Played in 23 games (18 starts) with both Oklahoma State and West Alabama. At UWA he tallied 25 rushes for 237 yards with one touchdown, caught 27 passes for 444 yards and three TDs. Had 465 kick return yards with two TDs and 257 punt return yards with two TDs in 2015. For OSU in 2014 he tallied 102 rushes for 534 yards, caught 31 passes for 281 yards. Was awarded All-Big 12 all-purpose player with 1,811 all-purpose yards.

Bill de Jarnette was born in 1926 in Douglas County, Kansas, USA. He was an actor and editor, known for Carnival of Souls (1962). He died in 1996 in Lawrence, Kansas, USA.

Duke Everts was born on 28 September 1928 in New Douglas, Madison County, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Play Misty for Me (1971). He died on 15 February 2010 in Santa Barbara, California, USA.

Born in 1924, Dirk De Villiers can easily lay claim to the title of being the South African filmmaker with the longest professional career. His career started chiefly as an actor in productions such as Ivan Hall's Kruger Millions in which he played the traitorous member of the Cavalier suicide commando who attempts to derail the plans to mint the gold coins by disposing of them in the Blyde River Canyon.

His first feature film as director was in the light comedy Jy Is My Liefling, starring Franz Marx (also in his first film role) and Min Shaw, where he also acted as Franz Marx's boss. He followed this up with one of his finest films, Die Geheim Van Nantes, an adaptation of the famous Springbok Radio serial, starring the entire voice cast including Pieter Hauptfleisch, Francois Du Bruyn, Dawid Swart and Raedawn Stevens.

Among his other films, his 1972 thriller My Broer Se Bril, the adoption drama Met Liefde Van Adele (1974), the adventure film The Virgin Goddess (1974) and the euthanasia - oriented drama Decision To Die (1978) as well as his international successes Glenda (1976) and The Diamond Hunters (1976), based on the book by Wilbur Smith and starring David McCallum and Hayley Mills.

Dirk De Villiers was honoured at the 2008 Klein Karoo Arts Festival for his contribution to the South African film industry.

Helen Backlin was born on 21 January 1921 in Holmes City, Douglas, Minnesota, USA. She was an actress, known for Shadow of the Cloak (1951), Rocky King, Detective (1950) and The Amazing Mr. Beecham (1949). She died on 12 February 2024 in Los Angeles, California, USA.