James Nesbitt
Biography
James Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor born on January 15, 1965, in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. He grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane and later moved to Coleraine, County Londonderry. Initially intending to become a teacher like his father, he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster. After one year, he decided to pursue acting and transferred to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, graduating in 1987. For the next seven years, he performed in plays ranging from the musical Up on the Roof in 1987 and 1989 to the political drama Paddywack in 1994. He made his feature film debut playing talent agent Fintan O'Donnell in Hear My.
Career overview
James Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor born on January 15, 1965, in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. He grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane and later moved to Coleraine, County Londonderry. Initially intending to become a teacher like his father, he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster. After one year, he decided to pursue acting instead and transferred to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Following his graduation in 1987, Nesbitt spent seven years performing in various theatrical productions. His stage work during this period ranged from the musical Up on the Roof, in which he appeared in 1987 and 1989, to the political drama Paddywack in 1994. Transitioning to film, he made his feature film debut playing talent agent Fintan O'Donnell.
Throughout his career, Nesbitt has accumulated a substantial body of work in the entertainment industry. The actor is credited with ninety-nine known acting credits, establishing a recognized presence in film and television projects.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about James Nesbitt.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Run Away (2026) as Simon Greene
- What has the BBC ever done for me? (2026) as Self
- Missing You (2025) as Dominic Calligan
- The Heist Before Christmas (2023) as Bank Robber
- The Coronation Concert (2023) as Self
- Suspect (2022) as Danny Frater
- The John Bishop Show (2022) as Self
- Stay Close (2021) as DS Michael Broome
- Bloodlands (2021) as DCI Tom Brannick
- James Nesbit: A Game of Two Halves (2020) as Himself
- DNA Journey (2019) as Self
- Lost Lives (2019) as Self (voice)
- James Nesbitt: Disasters That Changed Britain (2018)
- Stan Lee's Lucky Man: The Bracelet Chronicles (2017) as Harry Clayton
- The Secret (2016) as Colin Howell
- Michael McIntyre's Big Show (2016) as Self
- Stan Lee's Lucky Man (2016) as Harry Clayton
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) as Bofur
- The Missing (2014) as Tony Hughes
- Babylon (2014) as Commissioner Richard Miller
- Gold (2014) as Frank McGunn
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) as Bofur
- River Deep, Mountain High: James Nesbitt in New Zealand (2013) as Self
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) as Bofur
- Here Comes the Summer: The Undertones Story (2012) as Narrator
- The Jonathan Ross Show (2011) as Self
- Coriolanus (2011) as Tribune Sicinius
- Monroe (2011) as Gabriel Monroe
- The Way (2010) as Jack
- The Deep (2010) as Clem Donnelly
- Outcast (2010) as Cathal
- Matching Jack (2010) as Connor
- Alex Higgins: The People's Champion (2010) as Narrator
- Five Minutes of Heaven (2009) as Joe Griffin
- Chris Moyles' Quiz Night (2009) as Self
- Cherrybomb (2009) as Crilly
- Occupation (2009) as Mike Swift
- Occupation (2009) as Mike Swift
- Fairy Tales (2008) as Hans M. Prince
- The Passion (2008) as Pilate
- Midnight Man (2008) as Max Raban
- Blessed (2008) as Peter
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- Jekyll (2007) as Dr. Tom Jackman
- James Ellis: An Actor's Life (2007) as Himself
- The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (2007) as Self
- The One Show (2006) as Self - Guest
- Soccer Aid (2006)
- Match Point (2005) as Detective Banner
- Millions (2005) as Ronnie
- OFI Sunday (2005)
- Big Dippers (2005) as Ray
- The Friday Night Project (2005) as Self - Host
- Quite Ugly One Morning (2004) as Jack Parlabane
- Passer By (2004) as Joe Keyes
- Wall of Silence (2004) as Stuart Robe
- James Nesbitt Presents Eat My Goal (2004) as Presenter
- The Terry and Gaby Show (2003)
- Canterbury Tales (2003) as Nick Zakian
- Top Gear (2002) as Self
- Tractor Tom (2002) as Matt (voice)
- Bloody Sunday (2002) as Ivan Cooper
- Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001) as Self
- Murphy's Law (2001) as DS Tommy Murphy
- Women Talking Dirty (2001) as Stanley
- Lucky Break (2001) as James 'Jimmy' Hands
- Wild About Harry (2000) as Walter Adair
- The Most Fertile Man in Ireland (2000) as 'Mad Dog' Billy Wilson
- The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Trenches of Hell (1999) as Yuri
- Parkinson (1998) as Self
- Cold Feet (1998) as Adam Williams
- Playing the Field (1998)
- Waking Ned (1998) as Pig Finn
- Resurrection Man (1998) as Ryan
- Welcome to Sarajevo (1997) as Gregg
- This Is the Sea (1997) as Constable Hubert Porter
- The James Gang (1997) as Graham Armstrong
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks (1996) as Self
- Ballykissangel (1996)
- Ballykissangel (1996) as Leo McGarvey
- Jude (1996) as Uncle Joe
- Soccer AM (1995) as Self
- Go Now (1995) as Tony
- Common As Muck (1994)
- GMTV (1993) as Self
- Love Lies Bleeding (1993) as Niall
- Between the Lines (1992)
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992) as Yuri
- Soldier Soldier (1991) as Corporal Bryan Casey
- Hear My Song (1991) as Fintan O'Donnell
- Virtuoso (1989) as Young Man
- Lovejoy (1986) as Jerry Boyle
- ScreenPlay (1986) as Niall
- The End of the World Man (1986) as Policeman
- Screen Two (1985) as Young man
- The Cry (1984) as B Special (uncredited)
- The Hollywood Greats (1977)
- The Late Late Show (1962) as Self
- So You're Going to Die as Liam Gallagher
- Ireland's Rugby Number 10 as Narrator