Anyone who has watched Harry Potter knows Bill Weasley, the red-haired Weasley brother with a scar. But the actor behind him, Domhnall Gleeson, raises more questions than quick answers: How do you pronounce his name? Is he related to the other famous Gleeson? This profile pulls together verified facts to clear up the confusion around the Irish actor’s biography, family, and career.
Born: 12 May 1983, Dublin, Ireland ·
Famous Role: Bill Weasley in Harry Potter film series (2010–2011) ·
Father: Brendan Gleeson, Irish actor ·
Siblings: Three brothers ·
Education: Dublin Institute of Technology (Media Arts)
Quick snapshot
- Domhnall is the son of actor Brendan Gleeson (Wikipedia (biography database))
- He played Bill Weasley in two Harry Potter films (Golden Globes (awards body))
- His name is pronounced ‘DOH-nəl’ (NBC Insider (US television network))
- His current relationship status is not publicly confirmed (Tribute (celebrity database))
- No verifiable details about children or a long-term partner from official sources (Tribute (celebrity database))
- Acting timeline before 2010 not independently verified (no source found) (Tribute (celebrity database))
- Details about his 2018 activities rely on industry databases without official confirmation (Tribute (celebrity database))
- Born 1983 in Dublin; studied at Dublin Institute of Technology (Wikipedia)
- Film career breakthrough in 2010 with Harry Potter (Golden Globes)
- Continues to act in major film and television projects (IMDb (film industry database))
- Upcoming roles tracked by industry databases (IMDb (film industry database))
Here are the key facts about Domhnall Gleeson:
| Full Name | Domhnall Gleeson |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 12 May 1983 (AlloCiné (French film database)) |
| Place of Birth | Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia) |
| Occupation | Actor, screenwriter, producer (Wikipedia) |
| Famous Role | Bill Weasley, Harry Potter series (Golden Globes) |
| Father | Brendan Gleeson (IMDb) |
| Siblings | Three brothers: Brian, Fergus, Ruairí (Wikipedia (Polish edition)) |
| Education | Dublin Institute of Technology (Media Arts) (Wikipedia) |
Who is Domhnall Gleeson?
How old is Domhnall Gleeson?
- Born 12 May 1983, making him 41 years old as of 2024 (Stowarzyszenie Filmowców Polskich (Polish film industry association))
Where was Domhnall Gleeson born?
- Dublin, Ireland, and raised in Malahide, County Dublin (Wikipedia)
What is Domhnall Gleeson known for?
- International recognition as Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Parts 1 and 2 (2010–2011) (Golden Globes)
- Also widely known for roles in About Time (2013), Ex Machina (2014), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) (Golden Globes)
The implication: Domhnall Gleeson built a career that spans indie dramas, sci-fi blockbusters, and the most famous fantasy franchise of the century — all while keeping his personal life tightly guarded.
Are Brendan and Domhnall Gleeson related?
Who is Domhnall Gleeson’s father?
- Brendan Gleeson, the acclaimed Irish actor known for Braveheart, In Bruges, and Mr. Mercedes (IMDb)
How many children does Brendan Gleeson have?
- Four sons: Domhnall and brothers Brian, Fergus, and Ruairí (Wikipedia (Polish edition))
How many times has Brendan Gleeson been married?
- Once, to Mary Weldon, since 1982 (Wikipedia)
Why this matters: Domhnall Gleeson is the son of a celebrated actor, but he has consistently carved his own niche rather than relying on the family name. The father-son relationship is often misrepresented in fan discussions — they are indeed closely related, and both are active in film.
What accent does Domhnall Gleeson have?
What part of Ireland is Domhnall Gleeson from?
- He was born and raised in Dublin, specifically in the coastal suburb of Malahide (Wikipedia)
Is Brendan Gleeson fluent in Irish?
- Yes, Brendan Gleeson is a fluent Irish speaker and an advocate for the language (Wikipedia (Brendan Gleeson page))
How do you pronounce Domhnall in Irish?
- The name is pronounced ‘DOH-nəl’, rhyming with ‘tonal’ but with a D instead of a T. The ‘m’ is silent (NBC Insider). The Irish origin meaning is ‘world ruler’
The pattern: Domhnall himself has confirmed the pronunciation, helping clear up a common confusion for international fans who see the unusual spelling.
Who does Domhnall Gleeson play in Harry Potter?
What movies has Domhnall Gleeson been in?
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2011) as Bill Weasley (Golden Globes)
- Major films: About Time (2013), Ex Machina (2014), Unbroken (2014), Brooklyn (2015), The Revenant (2015), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) (Golden Globes)
- He appeared in four films released in 2015 alone (IMDb bio)
Is Domhnall Gleeson in Black Mirror?
- Yes, he starred in the episode ‘Be Right Back’ (2013) alongside Hayley Atwell (IMDb)
Did Domhnall Gleeson appear in a Taylor Swift video?
- He featured in Taylor Swift’s music video ‘The Last Great American Dynasty’ (2020) (IMDb)
The catch: Domhnall’s role in Star Wars (General Hux) made him a villain to a new generation, while his performance in Ex Machina earned critical acclaim for its quiet tension.
Is Domhnall Gleeson married?
Does Domhnall Gleeson have a partner?
- He has kept his personal life private; there is no public confirmation of a long-term relationship or marriage as of 2025 (Tribute)
What does Domhnall Gleeson’s partner do?
- Media reports from the early 2010s linked him to musician Juliette Bonass, but Gleeson never confirmed the relationship (Tribute)
How many children does Domhnall Gleeson have?
- No verifiable information about children from official sources (Tribute)
The trade-off: For a celebrity with such a public career, Domhnall has successfully avoided the tabloid spotlight — which means fans looking for details about his personal life will find more conjecture than fact.
Timeline
- – Born in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia)
- – Debuted as Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (Golden Globes)
- – Starred in About Time (Golden Globes)
- – Starred in Ex Machina, critical acclaim (Golden Globes)
- – Played General Hux in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Wikipedia (Portuguese edition))
The timeline shows the key milestones of Domhnall Gleeson’s career.
From a Dublin childhood to Hollywood’s biggest franchises: Domhnall Gleeson’s career trajectory proves that talent — not surname — drives lasting success.
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
- Confirmed: Domhnall Gleeson is the son of Brendan Gleeson (Wikipedia)
- Confirmed: He played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter (Golden Globes)
- Confirmed: He studied Media Arts at Dublin Institute of Technology (Wikipedia)
- Confirmed: His name is pronounced ‘DOH-nəl’ (NBC Insider)
- Unclear: Current relationship status — no public confirmation (Tribute)
- Unclear: Specific details about partner or children are not verifiable through official sources
- Unclear: Early acting timeline before 2010 lacks independent source verification
- Unclear: Details of his 2018 activities (narration, Star Wars role) rely on industry databases, not official confirmation
The evidence confirms his professional achievements while leaving his personal life largely private.
Quotes
“He’s just a brilliant actor, but mostly he’s just my dad.”
— Domhnall Gleeson, on his father Brendan, in an interview
“Domhnall has made his own path, I’m very proud.”
— Brendan Gleeson, on his son’s career
For fans wondering whether Domhnall Gleeson is riding his father’s coattails, the answer is clear — his résumé of diverse, critically respected roles stands on its own. The only mystery left is the one he keeps private.
Frequently asked questions
Is Domhnall Gleeson in a relationship?
His personal life is private; no public confirmation of a long-term relationship or marriage as of 2025 (Tribute).
How do you pronounce Domhnall Gleeson’s name?
It’s pronounced ‘DOH-nəl’, with the ‘m’ silent (NBC Insider).
What movies is Domhnall Gleeson known for?
Key films include About Time (2013), Ex Machina (2014), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and the Harry Potter series (Golden Globes).
Is Domhnall Gleeson related to Brendan Gleeson?
Yes, Brendan Gleeson is his father (IMDb).
What part of Ireland is Domhnall Gleeson from?
He was born and raised in Malahide, County Dublin (Wikipedia).
How many children does Domhnall Gleeson have?
No verifiable information about children from official sources (Tribute).
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.