Stephen Rea Biography: Spouse, Films, Height, Children, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents

Graham Rea, famously known as Stephen Rea, is an Irish actor who started his career at Dublin’s Focus Theatre and is renowned for his stage performances at The Gate and Abbey theatres in Dublin and the Royal Court Theatre in London.

He co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company alongside playwright Brian Friel.

Profile

• Full Name: Graham Rea
• Stage Name: Stephen Rea
• Born: 31, October 1946
• Age: 78 years old
• Birthplace: Belfast, United Kingdom
• Nationality: Irish and British
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 1.79m
• Parent: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Dolours Price (m. 1983–2003)
• Children: Danny Rea ,Oscar Rea
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life And Education

Stephen Rea was born in Belfast, United Kingdom, on October 31, 1946, into a working-class Protestant family.

His father worked as a bus driver, and his mother was a housewife. Although the family was Protestant, they were sympathetic to Irish nationalism. There is limited public information about his siblings.

He attended Belfast High School and studied English at Queen’s University Belfast before training in drama at the Abbey Theatre School in Dublin.

Rea is of Irish ethnicity, and while his family wasn’t particularly religious, they had a Protestant background.

Career

Stephen Rea began his career in the theater, co-founding Dublin’s Focus Company and later the Field Day Theatre Company with playwright Brian Friel, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in Irish stage and cultural life.

He gained recognition for his extensive work at The Gate and Abbey theatres in Dublin and the Royal Court Theatre in London, where he built a reputation for his versatility and dedication to politically and socially engaged drama.

His early career also included Irish television and film work, with his first significant film role in Neil Jordan’s Angel (1982) marking the beginning of a fruitful and long-standing collaboration with the director.

Rea’s international breakthrough came with his portrayal of Fergus in Neil Jordan’s The Crying Game (1992). This performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and widespread acclaim for its emotional depth.

This success opened doors to further prominent roles in Jordan’s films, including Interview with the Vampire (1994), Michael Collins (1996), Breakfast on Pluto (2005), and Greta (2018).

Rea also showcased his range in films such as V for Vendetta (2005) and The Butcher Boy (1997), becoming known for infusing his characters with complexity and emotional resonance.

In addition to his film career, Rea has made significant contributions to television, starring in acclaimed series such as The Shadow Line (2011) and The Honourable Woman (2014), for which he received a BAFTA Award.

He has also lent his voice to literary adaptations and radio dramas, including reading James Joyce’s works for RTÉ and the BBC.

Acknowledged as one of Ireland’s greatest actors, Rea continues to thrive in film, television, and theater, with recent roles in The English (2022) and The Miracle Club (2023), maintaining his influential presence in the performing arts.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award for Best Actor for The Crying Game (1992) BAFTA TV Award

Social Media

Stephen Rea is not on a social media handle.

Personal Life

Stephen Rea was married to Dolours Price, a former member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), from 1983 until their divorce in 2003.

The couple had two sons, Danny and Oscar Rea, during their marriage. Following their separation, Stephen Rea has remained single, with no public relationships reported since his divorce.

Filmography

•   The Crying Game (1992) – Fergus
•   Interview with the Vampire (1994) – Santiago
•   Michael Collins (1996) – Ned Broy
•   V for Vendetta (2005) – Finch
•   Breakfast on Pluto (2005) – Bertie
•   The Musketeer (2001) – Cardinal Richelieu
•   Ondine (2009) – Priest
•   The Reaping (2007) – Father Costigan
•   Greta (2018) – Brian Cody
•   Black ’47 (2018) – Conneely
•   The Miracle Club (2023) – Frank Dunne

Net Worth

Stephen Rea’s net worth is estimated at $10 million, primarily derived from his long and successful career as an actor in film, television, and theater.

His earnings come from acting roles, award recognitions, and extensive work across stage and screen over the years.