5 Hollywood Stars with Irish Ancestry

Ireland’s cultural influence reaches far beyond its borders, including deep into Hollywood. Several major film stars trace their family roots to the Emerald Isle. From Oscar winners to blockbuster icons, these actors proudly carry Irish ancestry in their family histories.

Hollywood may be based largely in California and New York, but many of its biggest names were born far from those centers of entertainment. Over the years, actors from across the world have shaped the industry, bringing their backgrounds and heritage with them.

Ireland, in particular, has produced many notable performers. Some stars were born there, while others discovered their Irish connections through family history. Even when their accents disappear on screen, their ties to the Emerald Isle remain an important part of their story. Here are five well-known Hollywood figures with Irish ancestry.

1. Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan is known worldwide for portraying the iconic secret agent in the James Bond films. Before stepping into the role of 007, however, Brosnan spent his early years in Ireland.

The actor was raised in the eastern Irish town of Drogheda. For more than a decade, he also lived in Navan in County Meath. Brosnan later spoke about the importance of the place in his life. In 1999, he said that he considers Navan his hometown.

2. Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. He has appeared in major films such as "Schindler's List," the "Taken" franchise, and more recently, "Naked Gun."

Despite his global career, Neeson’s roots trace back to Northern Ireland. He grew up in the town of Ballymena, which he still describes as his childhood home.

Neeson has traveled across the world throughout his acting career, but Ballymena remains the place where his early life began before he moved into international cinema.

3. Emily Ratajkowski

Emily Ratajkowski’s surname often leads people to assume her heritage comes from Eastern Europe. In reality, her family has strong ties to Ireland.

Both of Ratajkowski’s grandmothers are Irish. Her family maintained a close connection to the country during her childhood. She spent many summers growing up in Bantry, a town on Ireland’s west coast.

Her father owns a farmhouse there, which allowed the model and actress to return regularly during her younger years. Those visits helped keep her connected to her Irish family background.

4. Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro is widely associated with Italian-American culture because of his many famous roles. However, his family history tells a more complex story.

In fact, three of De Niro’s grandparents were of Irish descent. His mother’s parents were both fully Irish. On his father’s side, his grandmother was Helen O'Reilly, who was Irish, while his grandfather Henry De Niro was Italian.

During the 1960s, De Niro explored those roots firsthand. He hitchhiked from Dublin to Galway and later traveled to the Aran Islands while searching for distant relatives connected to his family history.

5. Cillian Murphy

Murphy was born and raised in County Cork. More specifically, he grew up in the village of Douglas.

Unlike some actors who discovered Irish ancestry through family lineage, Murphy’s connection is straightforward. His upbringing in Ireland shaped his early life before his rise to international fame.

Hollywood’s global reach means its biggest stars often come from very different backgrounds. Ireland has contributed both actors who were born there and performers whose families kept Irish traditions alive abroad.

From Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson to Robert De Niro, Emily Ratajkowski, and Cillian Murphy, these stars represent just a small sample of the industry’s Irish connections. An extended list would include Nicole Kidman, Paul Mescal, Graham Norton, Jamie Dornan, and many more.