Orla Brady

Orla Brady is an Irish actress whose career spans stage, television and film, showcasing a remarkable versatility that has made her a respected figure in both European and American entertainment circles. Born on 28 March 1961 in Dublin, she grew up in Bray until age seven and was educated at an Ursuline convent in Cabinteely, later honing her craft in Paris where she studied at the renowned École Philippe Gaulier and Marcel Marceau’s École Internationale de Mimodrame. Her early years were marked by a blend of clowning, fencing and mime, experiences she credits with shaping her distinctive performance style. Brady’s professional debut came in the early 1990s with regular television appearances, quickly leading to prominent roles such as Elizabeth Bishop in Fringe and Claire Stark in Shark. She has since delivered memorable performances in series including Star Trek: Picard, Into the Badlands, American Odyssey and Bosch: Legacy, as well as notable film work like The Foreigner, Rose Plays Julie and The Price of Desire. On stage, she has tackled classic and contemporary repertoire, from Adela in The House of Bernarda Alba at Dublin’s Gate Theatre to Ghislane in Stephen Poliakoff’s Blinded by the Sun at the Royal National Theatre. Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2001, Brady has balanced an active screen career with occasional theatre projects, while also contributing to modelling work that inspired Jack Vettriano’s famous painting The Singing Butler. Recognised by The Irish Times as one of Ireland’s fifty best film actors in 2020 and a Monte Carlo Best Actress award winner in 1999, she continues to be a dynamic presence in the industry, admired for her depth, dedication and international appeal.