Colm Meaney

Colm Meaney

Colm J. Meaney (born May 30, 1953) is an acclaimed Irish actor. Born in Dublin, Meaney discovered his passion for acting in his youth and later honed his craft at the Abbey Theatre School before joining the National Theatre of Ireland. He achieved global recognition for his iconic portrayal of Chief Miles O'Brien within the Star Trek franchise, seamlessly transitioning the character from Star Trek: The Next Generation to a leading role on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine across a staggering 225 total episodes. Beyond science fiction, Meaney is deeply revered for starring as the quintessential working-class father in all three film adaptations of Roddy Doyle’s beloved Barrytown Trilogy: The Commitments, The Snapper (which earned him a Golden Globe nomination), and The Van. A highly versatile character actor, his prolific Hollywood filmography includes memorable roles in major blockbusters such as Die Hard 2, The Last of the Mohicans, Con Air, and Layer Cake. On the small screen, he delivered powerhouse performances as the ruthless railroad tycoon Thomas C. Durant in AMC's Western series Hell on Wheels and the crime boss Finn Wallace in Gangs of London. An accomplished stage veteran of Broadway and the West End, Meaney was honored with the prestigious Irish Film & Television Academy’s (IFTA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. He continues to remain a vibrant force in the industry, starring in high-profile projects such as the Netflix feature adaptation Remarkably Bright Creatures and the crime drama series The Yank, which reunited him on screen with fellow Star Trek alumnus Kate Mulgrew.

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Known For

Filmography

2026

Remarkably Bright Creatures
Remarkably Bright Creatures
as Ethan Mack
Movie - Released: 5/7/2026

2025

Bring Them Down
Bring Them Down
as Ray
Movie - Released: 2/6/2025
The Legend of the Happy Worker
The Legend of the Happy Worker
Movie - Released: 8/7/2025
Re-Creation
Re-Creation
as Ian Bailey
Movie - Released: 10/3/2025
Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor
as Kieran Walsh
TV - Released: 1/10/2025

2024

The Ballad of Davy Crockett
The Ballad of Davy Crockett
as Caleb
Movie - Released: 3/8/2024
No Way Up
No Way Up
as Brandon
Movie - Released: 1/18/2024
The Problem with People
The Problem with People
as Ciáran
Movie - Released: 10/4/2024
Duchess
Duchess
as Frank Monaghan
Movie - Released: 8/1/2024

2023

Marlowe
Marlowe
as Bernie Ohls
Movie - Released: 2/15/2023
In the Land of Saints and Sinners
In the Land of Saints and Sinners
as Robert McQue
Movie - Released: 10/6/2023
There's Always Hope
There's Always Hope
as Jonathan
Movie - Released: 3/3/2023
Unwelcome
Unwelcome
as Colm “Daddy” Whelan
Movie - Released: 1/27/2023
The Santa Stories
The Santa Stories
as The No Man/ Bill
TV - Released: 12/8/2023
TV
Scary Tales of New York
as Storyteller
TV - Released: 10/19/2023

2022

Save the Cinema
Save the Cinema
as Martyn
Movie - Released: 1/14/2022
Three Day Millionaire
Three Day Millionaire
as Mr. Barr
Movie - Released: 11/25/2022
Confession
Confession
as Father Peter
Movie - Released: 1/4/2022
The Serpent Queen
The Serpent Queen
as Francis I of France
TV - Released: 9/11/2022

2021

The Monkey
The Monkey
as MacDonell
Movie - Released: 5/30/2021
Back to Barrytown
Back to Barrytown
as Self / Narrator
TV - Released: 5/16/2021
Fúria
Fúria
TV - Released: 12/19/2021

2020

The Banker
The Banker
as Patrick Barker
Movie - Released: 3/6/2020
Pixie
Pixie
as Dermot O'Brien
Movie - Released: 10/16/2020
Gangs of London
Gangs of London
as Finn Wallace
TV - Released: 4/23/2020
The Singapore Grip
The Singapore Grip
as Major Brendan Archer
TV - Released: 9/13/2020

2019

Tolkien
Tolkien
as Father Francis Morgan
Movie - Released: 5/3/2019
Seberg
Seberg
as Frank Ellroy
Movie - Released: 12/13/2019
The Last Right
The Last Right
as Detective Donall Crowley
Movie - Released: 12/6/2019

2018

National Theatre Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
National Theatre Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
as Big Daddy
Movie - Released: 2/22/2018

2017

The Journey
The Journey
as Martin McGuinness
Movie - Released: 3/30/2017
Halal Daddy
Halal Daddy
as Martin Logan
Movie - Released: 6/30/2017
Will
Will
as James Burbage
TV - Released: 7/10/2017

2016

Pelé: Birth of a Legend
Pelé: Birth of a Legend
as George Raynor
Movie - Released: 5/6/2016
Norm of the North
Norm of the North
as Grandfather (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/14/2016
The Secrets of Emily Blair
The Secrets of Emily Blair
as Father Avital
Movie - Released: 10/1/2016
Pelé: Birth of a Legend
Pelé: Birth of a Legend
as Coach George Raynor
Movie - Released: 5/6/2016
The Cowboy
The Cowboy
as Self
TV - Released: 1/23/2016

2015

A Dangerous Arrangement
A Dangerous Arrangement
as Leslie
Movie - Released: 6/20/2015
I Am Your Father
I Am Your Father
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/5/2015
Childhood's End
Childhood's End
as Wainwright
TV - Released: 12/14/2015

2014

The Yank
The Yank
as Fintan McGuire
Movie - Released: 3/17/2014
The Devil's Hand
The Devil's Hand
as Elder Beacon
Movie - Released: 10/10/2014
Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...
Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...
as Miles O'Brien
Movie - Released: 12/2/2014
The Driver
The Driver
as The Horse
TV - Released: 9/23/2014

2013

Free Birds
Free Birds
as Myles Standish (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/30/2013
One Chance
One Chance
as Roland Potts
Movie - Released: 9/9/2013
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
as Patt Farrell
Movie - Released: 7/24/2013
A Belfast Story
A Belfast Story
as Detective
Movie - Released: 9/20/2013
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds
as Chief Miles O'Brien (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 4/25/2013

2012

Bel Ami
Bel Ami
as Monsieur Rousset
Movie - Released: 3/9/2012
Soldiers of Fortune
Soldiers of Fortune
as Mason
Movie - Released: 6/7/2012
The Cold Light of Day
The Cold Light of Day
as Bandler
Movie - Released: 4/4/2012

2011

The Conspirator
The Conspirator
as David Hunter
Movie - Released: 4/15/2011
The Perfect Stranger
The Perfect Stranger
as Mark O'Reilly
Movie - Released: 10/23/2011
The Hot Potato
The Hot Potato
as Harry
Movie - Released: 1/1/2011
Whole Lotta Sole
Whole Lotta Sole
as Detective Weller
Movie - Released: 4/21/2011
The Flight of the Swan
The Flight of the Swan
as Giannopoulos
Movie - Released: 1/20/2011
Muide Éire
Muide Éire
as Self
Movie - Released: 11/6/2011
Hell on Wheels
Hell on Wheels
as Thomas 'Doc' Durant
TV - Released: 11/6/2011

2010

Get Him to the Greek
Get Him to the Greek
as Jonathan Snow
Movie - Released: 6/3/2010
Alleged
Alleged
as H.L. Mencken
Movie - Released: 9/9/2010
Parked
Parked
as Fred Daly
Movie - Released: 9/1/2010

2009

Law Abiding Citizen
Law Abiding Citizen
as Detective Dunnigan
Movie - Released: 10/15/2009
The Damned United
The Damned United
as Don Revie
Movie - Released: 3/27/2009
The Race
The Race
as Frank Kensay
Movie - Released: 10/27/2009
ZOS: Zone of Separation
ZOS: Zone of Separation
as George Titac
TV - Released: 1/19/2009
Mercy
Mercy
TV - Released: 9/23/2009
Alice
Alice
as King of Hearts
TV - Released: 12/6/2009

2008

Unnatural Causes
Unnatural Causes
as Trevor Jones
Movie - Released: 4/23/2008
Three and Out
Three and Out
as Tommy Cassidy
Movie - Released: 4/25/2008

2007

Kings
Kings
as Joe Mullan
Movie - Released: 9/21/2007

2006

Five Fingers
Five Fingers
as Gavin
Movie - Released: 5/1/2006
Caved In: Prehistoric Terror
Caved In: Prehistoric Terror
as Vincent
Movie - Released: 1/7/2006
A Lobster Tale
A Lobster Tale
as Cody
Movie - Released: 1/1/2006
Men in Trees
Men in Trees
as Bob O'Donnell
TV - Released: 9/12/2006
The Unit
The Unit
as Charge D'Affaires
TV - Released: 3/7/2006
Covert One: The Hades Factor
Covert One: The Hades Factor
as Peter Howell
TV - Released: 4/9/2006

2005

Turning Green
Turning Green
as Tom
Movie - Released: 6/11/2005
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
as Shelley Kelly
TV - Released: 8/4/2005

2004

Renegade
Renegade
as Jimmy McClure
Movie - Released: 2/9/2004
Layer Cake
Layer Cake
as Gene
Movie - Released: 9/30/2004
Bad Apple
Bad Apple
as Gibbons
Movie - Released: 2/16/2004
Battle of the Brave
Battle of the Brave
as Benjamin Franklin
Movie - Released: 11/19/2004
The Murdoch Mysteries: Except the Dying
The Murdoch Mysteries: Except the Dying
as Inspector Brackenreid
Movie - Released: 5/13/2004
The Murdoch Mysteries: Poor Tom Is Cold
The Murdoch Mysteries: Poor Tom Is Cold
as Inspector Brackenreid
Movie - Released: 9/12/2004
The Murdoch Mysteries
The Murdoch Mysteries
as Inspector Brackenreid
TV - Released: 5/13/2004
Stargate Atlantis
Stargate Atlantis
as Cowen
TV - Released: 7/15/2004

2003

The Boys & Girl from County Clare
The Boys & Girl from County Clare
as Jimmy
Movie - Released: 9/12/2003
Intermission
Intermission
as Jerry Lynch
Movie - Released: 8/29/2003
Deep Space Nine: Ending an Era
Deep Space Nine: Ending an Era
as Self
Movie - Released: 12/2/2003

2002

King of Texas
King of Texas
as Mr. Tumlinson
Movie - Released: 6/2/2002
Backflash
Backflash
as Gin O'Malley
Movie - Released: 1/22/2002
How Harry Became a Tree
How Harry Became a Tree
as Harry
Movie - Released: 3/1/2002
Random Passage
Random Passage
as Thomas Hutchings
Movie - Released: 1/27/2002
Random Passage
Random Passage
TV - Released: 1/27/2002

2001

Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
as Harold Garrett
TV - Released: 9/30/2001

1999

This Is My Father
This Is My Father
as Seamus
Movie - Released: 5/7/1999
Mystery, Alaska
Mystery, Alaska
as Mayor Scott Pitcher
Movie - Released: 10/1/1999
Chapter Zero
Chapter Zero
as Frank Lazaras
Movie - Released: 11/13/1999
Four Days
Four Days
as Fury
Movie - Released: 9/12/1999
The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns
The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns
as Seamus Muldoon
TV - Released: 11/7/1999

1998

Monument Ave.
Monument Ave.
as Jackie O'Hara
Movie - Released: 9/25/1998
Claire Dolan
Claire Dolan
as Roland Cain
Movie - Released: 11/18/1998
Owd Bob
Owd Bob
as Keith Moore
Movie - Released: 1/1/1998
Money Kings
Money Kings
as Al Sheehan
Movie - Released: 12/4/1998
October 22
October 22
as Steve
Movie - Released: 11/4/1998

1997

Con Air
Con Air
as Agent Duncan Malloy
Movie - Released: 6/5/1997

1996

The Van
The Van
as Larry
Movie - Released: 11/29/1996
The Last of the High Kings
The Last of the High Kings
as Jim Davern
Movie - Released: 12/6/1996
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
as Self
Movie - Released: 10/6/1996

1995

The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain
as Morgan the Goat
Movie - Released: 5/12/1995
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior
as Miles O'Brien
Movie - Released: 10/2/1995
The New Explorers: The Science of Star Trek
The New Explorers: The Science of Star Trek
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/18/1995

1994

The Road to Wellville
The Road to Wellville
as Dr. Lionel Badger
Movie - Released: 10/28/1994
War of the Buttons
War of the Buttons
as Geronimo's Dad
Movie - Released: 8/5/1994
Gargoyles
Gargoyles
as Mr. Dugan (voice)
TV - Released: 10/24/1994
Scarlett
Scarlett
as Father Colum O'Hara
TV - Released: 11/13/1994

1993

The Snapper
The Snapper
as Dessie Curley
Movie - Released: 8/6/1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes
as Himself
Movie - Released: 1/4/1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Emissary
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Emissary
as Miles O'Brien
Movie - Released: 1/4/1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
as Miles O'Brien
TV - Released: 1/3/1993
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
as Jake Slicker
TV - Released: 1/1/1993

1992

Far and Away
Far and Away
as Kelly
Movie - Released: 5/22/1992
Under Siege
Under Siege
as Daumer
Movie - Released: 10/8/1992
Into the West
Into the West
as Barreller
Movie - Released: 10/23/1992
The Last of the Mohicans
The Last of the Mohicans
as Major Ambrose
Movie - Released: 8/26/1992

1991

The Commitments
The Commitments
as Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.
Movie - Released: 8/14/1991
Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
TV - Released: 9/20/1991

1990

Die Hard 2
Die Hard 2
as Windsor Plane - Pilot
Movie - Released: 7/3/1990
Dick Tracy
Dick Tracy
as Cop at Tess'
Movie - Released: 6/15/1990
Come See the Paradise
Come See the Paradise
as Gerry McGurn
Movie - Released: 8/17/1990
Law & Order
Law & Order
as Wyatt Landon
TV - Released: 9/13/1990

1989

Perfect Witness
Perfect Witness
as Meagher
Movie - Released: 10/28/1989
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
as Tom O'Flanagan (voice)
TV - Released: 12/17/1989

1987

The Gambler: The Legend Continues
The Gambler: The Legend Continues
as Tinkerer
Movie - Released: 11/22/1987
The Dead
The Dead
as Mr. Bergin
Movie - Released: 9/3/1987
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
as Miles O'Brien
TV - Released: 9/28/1987

1986

Omega Syndrome
Omega Syndrome
as Sean
Movie - Released: 10/26/1986

1985

MacGyver
MacGyver
as Irwin Malcolm
TV - Released: 9/29/1985
Moonlighting
Moonlighting
as Keterina Suitor (as Colm Meany)
TV - Released: 3/3/1985
Screen Two
Screen Two
as Dessie Curley
TV - Released: 1/6/1985

1984

Tales from the Darkside
Tales from the Darkside
as Constable
TV - Released: 9/30/1984

1982

Easter 2016
Easter 2016
as Kevin Murphy
Movie - Released: 5/18/1982

1981

Nailed
Nailed
as Younger Protestant
Movie - Released: 6/2/1981

1978

Strangers
Strangers
as Peter Smolett
TV - Released: 6/5/1978

1962

The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
as Self
TV - Released: 7/6/1962

Unknown

Movie
Shelter Me
Movie
The Panic
The Panic
as J. Pierpont Morgan
Movie
Movie
Movie
Hal
Movie