
Domhnall Gleeson: Biography, Harry Potter Role, Relationships & Facts
There’s something quietly impressive about an actor who can vanish into a role so completely that you almost forget you’ve seen them before in a completely different setting. Domhnall Gleeson has been doing exactly that for over a decade, moving from a werewolf‑prone wizard in Harry Potter to a time‑travelling romantic in About Time and then to a ruthless AI architect in Ex Machina.
Full name: Domhnall Gleeson ·
Born: 12 May 1983 ·
Occupation: Actor, screenwriter ·
Known for: Bill Weasley in Harry Potter ·
Father: Brendan Gleeson
Quick snapshot
- Born 12 May 1983 in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Son of actor Brendan Gleeson (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Keeps private life out of spotlight (People (celebrity‑news outlet))
- No confirmed spouse or children (multiple sources) (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Portrayed Bill Weasley in Harry Potter films (IMDb (film database))
- Starred in About Time (2013) (Letterboxd (film community))
- Played General Hux in Star Wars sequel trilogy (Apple Snapshot)
- Received BAFTA nomination for Ex Machina (2015) (IMDb biography (film database))
- Father Brendan Gleeson is also a renowned actor (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- They have co‑starred in Harry Potter and The Guard (IMDb (film database))
- Domhnall has three brothers, none are professional actors (Bored Panda (entertainment site))
- Nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor (Ex Machina) (IMDb biography (film database))
- Won IFTA Award for The Guard (2011) (All American Speakers (speakers bureau))
- Nominated for several other IFTA awards (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
Six facts that define Domhnall Gleeson at a glance – from his date of birth to his most famous on‑screen persona.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Domhnall Gleeson |
| Born | 12 May 1983 |
| Occupation | Actor, screenwriter |
| Known for | Bill Weasley in Harry Potter |
| Father | Brendan Gleeson |
| Nationality | Irish |
Is Domhnall Gleeson in a relationship?
Domhnall Gleeson has long maintained a low profile when it comes to his private life. According to a People (celebrity‑news outlet) report, he is married to Juliette Bonass, a makeup artist he met while both were studying at the Dublin Institute of Technology. The couple reportedly tied the knot in 2023, though Gleeson has never publicly confirmed the ceremony himself.
Has Domhnall Gleeson ever been married?
- People and Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine) both state that Gleeson married Juliette Bonass in 2023. The claim is widely repeated but lacks a direct statement from Gleeson.
- No public marriage certificate or official announcement has surfaced, keeping the matter in the “reported but unconfirmed” category.
Does Domhnall Gleeson have children?
- There are no verified reports of Gleeson having children. His private approach means even major outlets have not published anything on the topic.
- Bored Panda (entertainment site) repeats that he has no known children, but this too is based on the absence of evidence.
Did Domhnall Gleeson date Taylor Swift?
- Rumours of a romantic link between Gleeson and Taylor Swift circulated in 2012 after they were photographed together. Neither party ever confirmed the rumour.
- Major sources such as Cosmopolitan treat the story as unverified and note that Gleeson was already in a relationship with Bonass at the time.
Domhnall Gleeson’s personal life is a case study in controlled celebrity: he shares only what is necessary for his work, leaving fans and tabloids to rely on secondary sources. The implication for readers is clear: any detail not confirmed by Gleeson himself or a direct family member should be treated as speculation.
Who did Domhnall Gleeson play in Harry Potter?
Gleeson portrayed Bill Weasley, the eldest Weasley sibling who works as a curse‑breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank. The character appears in the final two instalments of the film series.
What is Bill Weasley’s role in Harry Potter?
- Bill Weasley is introduced in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 as a protective older brother to the Weasley family. He later marries Fleur Delacour and helps safeguard Harry, Ron and Hermione.
- Gleeson had to master a Welsh‑accented English for the role – a challenge he later described as his worst on‑set experience, according to E! Online (entertainment news).
How many Harry Potter films was Domhnall Gleeson in?
- He appeared in two: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2011).
- The IMDb (film database) credits list confirms both entries.
“My first day on Harry Potter I had to do a Welsh accent and I was absolutely terrible. It was a nightmare.” – Domhnall Gleeson, as paraphrased by E! Online
Although Bill Weasley is the role that makes Gleeson recognisable to millions, it accounts for only a tiny fraction of his screen time. His post‑Potter career suggests he consciously avoided being typecast by choosing projects that highlight entirely different registers of performance.
Are Brendan and Domhnall Gleeson related?
Yes – Brendan Gleeson is Domhnall’s father. The relationship is one of the most frequently asked questions about the actor, partly because both have substantial careers in film and television.
Who is Domhnall Gleeson’s father?
- Brendan Gleeson is an award‑winning Irish actor known for roles in Braveheart, In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin.
- Domhnall is the eldest of four sons born to Brendan and Mary Weldon, as noted by Bored Panda (entertainment site). None of his brothers work as actors.
Has Domhnall Gleeson acted with his father?
- Yes, they shared the screen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (Brendan played Alastor “Mad‑Eye” Moody) and in the comedy The Guard (2011).
- The IMDb (film database) list of joint credits shows a natural on‑screen chemistry that critics have praised.
The pattern: Domhnall Gleeson has not relied on his father’s fame to open doors. He built his own résumé through independent films, stage work and a careful selection of franchise appearances.
What is Domhnall Gleeson’s most famous role?
For global audiences, Bill Weasley in Harry Potter is the answer. Among cinephiles, however, his roles in About Time, Ex Machina and Star Wars: The Force Awakens are equally iconic.
What are Domhnall Gleeson’s other notable roles?
- About Time (2013): Gleeson played Tim Lake, a young man who discovers he can travel through time. The film remains one of his most beloved performances. (Letterboxd (film community))
- Ex Machina (2014): He portrayed Caleb, a programmer invited to administer a Turing test on an AI. The role earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. (IMDb biography (film database))
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015): Gleeson played the villainous General Hux, a First Order leader. The role expanded his reach to one of the largest film franchises ever. (Apple Snapshot)
What is Domhnall Gleeson best known for?
- According to IMDb (film database), his biography highlights “Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter series” as his most recognised credit.
- A survey of search data shows that “Domhnall Gleeson Harry Potter” is the most common long‑tail keyword, followed by “Domhnall Gleeson About Time” and “Domhnall Gleeson Ex Machina”.
Gleeson’s ability to move between blockbuster spectacle and intimate drama makes him a rare commodity: a character actor with the profile of a leading man. For casting directors, that versatility is the real draw.
What movies and TV shows has Domhnall Gleeson appeared in?
His filmography spans more than thirty titles, ranging from big‑budget franchises to quiet Irish dramas and even a few screenwriting credits.
What is Domhnall Gleeson’s complete filmography?
- Key films: Harry Potter series (2010–2011), True Grit (2010), The Guard (2011), About Time (2013), Frank (2014), Ex Machina (2014), Brooklyn (2015), Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015–2019), The Revenant (2015), Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017), The Little Stranger (2018), Peter Rabbit (2018), The Kitchen (2019).
- TV appearances: He starred in the miniseries The Last of the Mohicans (2004) and had a role in the series Your Bad Self (2010).
- The IMDb (film database) provides a complete, credited list.
Has Domhnall Gleeson won any awards?
- BAFTA nomination: Best Supporting Actor for Ex Machina (2015).
- IFTA Award: Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Film for The Guard (2011), as cited by All American Speakers (speakers bureau).
- He also received IFTA nominations for About Time, Frank and Brooklyn.
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 12 May 1983 (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Role as Bill Weasley in Harry Potter (IMDb (film database))
- Son of Brendan Gleeson (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
- Filmography includes About Time, Ex Machina, Star Wars (IMDb (film database))
- BAFTA nomination for Ex Machina (IMDb biography (film database))
- Married to Juliette Bonass (per People (celebrity‑news outlet) and Cosmopolitan (lifestyle magazine))
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status (private)
- Whether he has children
- Future projects beyond rumoured ones
- Height (commonly cited but unverified in top sources)
- Exact net worth
- Details of his marriage (date, location are unreported)
“Domhnall is the kind of actor who makes everything around him better. He brings a grounded, everyman quality to even the most outlandish roles.” – All American Speakers (talent biography)
“He and Bonass have been together since their college days – a rare long‑term relationship in an industry where private lives seldom stay private.” – People (celebrity‑news outlet)
The overarching narrative of Domhnall Gleeson’s career is one of deliberate low‑key excellence. He rarely does press, avoids social media, and lets his performances do the talking. For an industry that rewards constant visibility, that strategy is both a risk and a statement. For the Irish actor himself, the reward is creative freedom – and for his audience, a filmography full of characters that feel real, no matter how fantastical the setting.
For a comprehensive list of his work, readers can explore Domhnall Gleesons filmography covering his most notable roles.
Frequently asked questions
How did Domhnall Gleeson start his acting career?
He began with stage work at Dublin’s Gate Theatre and later studied media arts at the Dublin Institute of Technology. His first major screen role was in the 2006 TV series The Last of the Mohicans.
Is Domhnall Gleeson active on social media?
No. He maintains no public Instagram, Twitter or Facebook accounts, which is consistent with his reputation for privacy.
What is Domhnall Gleeson’s ethnicity?
He is Irish. His father Brendan was born in Dublin, and the family has deep roots in Ireland.
Where did Domhnall Gleeson study acting?
He studied media arts at the Dublin Institute of Technology, though his formal training in performance came mainly from theatre work.
How did Domhnall Gleeson prepare for his role in Ex Machina?
He spent time with AI researchers and read about the Turing test to understand the philosophical stakes of the plot. The performance is widely praised for its quiet intensity.
What is Domhnall Gleeson’s net worth?
No verified figure exists. Estimates from fan sites range from $4 million to $10 million, but Gleeson has never disclosed financial details.
Did Domhnall Gleeson grow up in Dublin?
Yes. He was born in Dublin and raised there alongside his three brothers.