Dublin-born actor Domhnall Gleeson was honoured at the Oscar Wilde Awards on March 12th, with director J.J. Abrams talking about his role as General Hux in the Star Wars sequels sharing, “I wish he had a larger role in what we did”.
Gleeson, who currently stars in “The Paper,” was also introduced by one of his previous collaborators, “Star Wars” director J.J. Abrams. The duo met on “The Force Awakens” and Gleeson’s character was killed off in the beginning of the sequel, “The Last Jedi,” which the actor jokes was due to his inability to get a line right on his first day of filming with the director.
“He’s a brilliant filmmaker and a lovely man. I was so honored when he offered to pass the award along,” Gleeson told Variety about Abrams. Gleeson added, “So many of the people who’ve received the award over the years are so extraordinary. Catherine O’Hara was one of them; any club she’s in is one I’m very proud to be a member of.”
“Hollywood and Ireland are very different places, both often overly romanticized, but the truth is that there is something inherently romantic about both,” said Gleeson. “I would like to thank all the Americans here, including JJ and my beloved ‘The Paper’ gang, who’ve allowed me to work with them. And the filmmakers and performers from home who continue to inspire me and make me want to be a better actor.”
Abrams began his speech by poking fun at a Vogue Australia article listing the world’s “70 Most Famous Redheads,” arguing that Gleeson should be in the number two spot, trumped only by his father, Brendan Gleeson.
“I’ve been lucky in my career to work with a great number of wonderful actors, but none more brilliant, kind, dedicated, caring, funny, compassionate, famous or ginger than Mr. Domnhall Gleeson,” Abrams said.
Congratulations to Gleeson on the award.
Image: Variety/Getty Images
