Conleth Hill

Conleth Seamus Eoin Croiston Hill was born on 24 November 1964 in Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Born to a cameraman and a school secretary, Hill grew up in an artistic family; his siblings work in various sectors of the entertainment industry, including sound engineering and production. After completing his acting training at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Hill began his career on stage, where his exceptional performances quickly established him as one of the most respected figures in British theatre. A major turning point in his career came with his performance in "Stones in His Pockets," a play written by Marie Jones in which he portrayed multiple characters alongside another actor. The virtuosity he displayed in this role earned him the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in 2001 and a Tony Award nomination for the same performance on Broadway. Demonstrating his talent in musical theatre as well, Hill won his second Olivier Award in 2005 for his portrayal of Roger De Bris in the London production of Mel Brooks's "The Producers."

Although he gained recognition in the 1990s through sitcoms such as "Blue Heaven," it was his role in HBO's legendary series "Game of Thrones" (2011–2019) that transformed Conleth Hill into a global star. In the show, the character he portrayed, Lord Varys, became one of the most unforgettable figures with his bald head, feminine mannerisms, manipulative intellect, and mysterious nature as "Master of Whisperers," who shaped the fate of the realm. In real life, Hill has naturally curly grey hair; having shaved it off for the series, he struggled to be recognized by fans on the streets for a long time. This performance over eight seasons brought him international fame. While "Game of Thrones" was ongoing and after its conclusion, Hill diversified his career and appeared in American television, notably as Edward Darby in the popular legal drama "Suits" (2013). In cinema, he took on significant supporting roles alongside Ewan McGregor in "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" (2011), Woody Allen's "Whatever Works" (2009), and Keira Knightley in "Official Secrets" (2019). He sustained his success in period dramas with his role as Mendel Liebermann in the series "Vienna Blood."

In recent years, he starred as Irish Constable PJ Collins in the series "Holding" (2022), adapted from Graham Norton's novel, once again showcasing his ability to blend comedy and drama. Drawing on his theatrical roots, Conleth Hill continues his career as a versatile artist both on stage and screen, distinguished by his impeccable comedic timing and nuanced character acting.