Shay Duffin Biography: Age, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Wife, Children, Career

Shay Duffin was an Irish character actor, writer, and playwright, celebrated for his one-man play Brendan Behan: Confessions of an Irish Rebel and roles in films like Titanic (1997), Leprechaun (1993), and The Departed (2006).

Known for portraying barkeep types, he also had a significant presence in theater, television, and music.

Profile

• Full Name: Shay Duffin
• Stage Name: Shay Duffin
• Born: February 26, 1931
• Age: 79 (at time of death, April 23, 2010)
• Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
• Nationality: Irish
• Occupation: Irish Actor, Writer, Playwright, and Singer
• Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)
• Parents: Mr and Mrs Duffin
• Siblings: Unknown (no documented siblings)
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: 4 daughters (Laura, Linda, Ruth, Susan)
• Relationship: Married (at time of death)
• Net Worth: $1 million to $5 million

Early Life and Education

Shay Duffin was born on February 26, 1931, in Dublin, Ireland. His parents Mr and Mrs Duffin, Details about his siblings, and early childhood are not publicly available, reflecting his private nature.

Growing up in Dublin, he was immersed in Ireland’s rich cultural and literary scene, which likely influenced his later work. As a teenager, he began singing in Irish pubs, honing his performance skills.

No formal education details are documented, but his move to Canada in the early 1960s to join an all-Irish theatrical company suggests practical training in theater and performance, possibly supplemented by self-directed learning. His early exposure to Irish storytelling and music shaped his career as an actor and playwright.

Career

Shay Duffin’s career began in the 1960s in Canada, where he spent five years with an all-Irish theatrical company and recorded Irish folk song albums. His one-man play, Brendan Behan: Confessions of an Irish Rebel, which he wrote and performed, became a defining achievement, debuting in Toronto and later touring extensively, including thousands of performances in Los Angeles.

The play, based on the life of Irish playwright Brendan Behan, earned him critical acclaim. He also wrote and starred in The Importance of Being Irish in the early 1990s and performed in James Joyce’s The Dead. His final stage performance was in Hyacinth Halvey by Lady Augusta Gregory on March 17, 2010.

Duffin’s screen career started with his television debut in the NBC movie Law and Order (1976). He appeared in miniseries like The Amazing Howard Hughes (1976–77) and TV movies such as Captains Courageous (1977–78) and The Other Side of Hell (1977–78).

His film roles included The White Buffalo (1977), Bloodbrothers (1978), Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979), The Main Event (1979), The Frisco Kid (1979), Raging Bull (1980) as a ring announcer, and The Baltimore Bullet (1980). He often played bartenders, notably in Titanic (1997) as a pubkeeper and The Departed (2006) as a brasserie bartender.

Other notable films include Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992), Leprechaun (1993) as Dan O’Grady, Newsies (1992), The Public Eye (1992), Seabiscuit (2003), and Beowulf (2007).

On television, he had recurring roles in City (1990) and Due South (1995), and guest-starred in Cagney & Lacey, Murder, She Wrote, and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1994, as Ned Quint in “Sub Rosa”). His music career included four CDs of Irish folk songs on RCA Records and a 1972 vinyl release, Shay Duffin Is Brendan Behan (Potato Records). X posts in 2024 highlight his Titanic and Leprechaun roles, underscoring his lasting impact.

Awards and Nominations

• Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award (1975): Won for Brendan Behan: Confessions of an Irish Rebel (Performance)
• Appeared in four Best Picture-nominated films (Raging Bull, Titanic, Seabiscuit, The Departed), with Titanic and The Departed winning, though no individual nominations are recorded.

Social Media

• Shay Duffin’s social media accounts are unknown to the media

Personal Life

Shay Duffin lived in Redondo Beach, California, until his death on April 23, 2010, at age 79 from complications following heart surgery at UCLA Medical Center. He was married, though his wife’s name is not disclosed, and had four daughters: Laura, Linda, Ruth, and Susan, and two grandchildren.

His Irish heritage was central to his identity, and he had a passing acquaintance with Brendan Behan in Dublin, which inspired his one-man play. His faith is presumed to be Christian, but not publicly discussed.

Duffin frequently wrote letters to the Los Angeles Times on various topics, reflecting an engaged intellect. No controversies are documented, and he maintained a respected, professional image.

Filmography

• The White Buffalo (1977, Film) – Supporting Role
• Bloodbrothers (1978, Film) – Supporting Role
• Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979, Film) – Supporting Role
• The Main Event (1979, Film) – Supporting Role
• The Frisco Kid (1979, Film) – Supporting Role
• Raging Bull (1980, Film) – Ring Announcer
• The Baltimore Bullet (1980, Film) – Supporting Role
• 10 to Midnight (1983, Film) – Supporting Role
• Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992, Film) – Supporting Role
• Newsies (1992, Film) – Supporting Role
• The Public Eye (1992, Film) – Supporting Role
• Leprechaun (1993, Film) – Dan O’Grady
• Titanic (1997, Film) – Pubkeeper
• Seabiscuit (2003, Film) – Supporting Role
• The Departed (2006, Film) – Brasserie Bartender
• Beowulf (2007, Film) – Supporting Role
• Law and Order (1976, TV Movie) – Supporting Role
• The Amazing Howard Hughes (1976–77, Miniseries) – Supporting Role
• Captains Courageous (1977–78, TV Movie) – Supporting Role
• The Other Side of Hell (1977–78, TV Movie) – Supporting Role
• Cagney & Lacey (1981–1988, Series) – Guest Role
• Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996, Series) – Guest Role
• City (1990, Series) – Regular Role
• Star Trek: The Next Generation (1994, Series) – Ned Quint (“Sub Rosa”)
• Due South (1995, Series) – Recurring Role

Discography

• Shay Duffin Is Brendan Behan (1972, Vinyl, Potato Records)
• Four CDs of Irish Folk Songs (RCA Records, titles unspecified)

Net Worth

Shay Duffin’s estimated net worth at the time of his death in 2010 was $1 million to $5 million. This range is based on his extensive acting career in films like Titanic, Leprechaun, and The Departed, his one-man play performances, and music recordings. His income from supporting roles, theater, and folk music aligns with the more conservative $1–$5 million estimate.