Cyril James Cusack (26 November 1910 â€" 7 October 1993) was an Irish
actor. He appeared in numerous films and television productions in a
career lasting more than 70 years. In 2020, he was listed at number 14
on The Irish Times' list of Ireland's greatest film actors.Cusack was
born in Durban, Natal, South Africa. His mother, Alice Violet (née
Cole), was an English Cockney actress and chorus girl, and his father,
James Walter Cusack, was an Irish mounted policeman in Natal Colony,
South Africa. His parents separated when he was young and his mother
took him to England, and then to Ireland. Cusack's mother and her
partner, Brefni O'Rorke, joined the O'Brien and Ireland Players. Cyril
made his first stage performance at the age of seven. Cusack was
educated in Newbridge College, Newbridge, County Kildare and
University College Dublin. He left without a degree and joined the
Abbey Theatre in 1932. Between then and 1945, he performed in over 60
productions, particularly excelling in the plays of Seán O'Casey. He
also performed in plays by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy Katie Roche
and The King of Spain's Daughter. In 1932 he also joined the Gate
Theatre company, appearing with them in many notable productions over
the years. In 1947, Cusack formed his own company and staged
productions in Dublin, Paris and New York.In 1963, Cusack joined the
Royal Shakespeare Company in London and appeared there for several
seasons. By this stage he had established a successful career in
films, which had started at the age of eight. Also in 1963, Cusack won
a Jacob's Award for his performance in the TelefÃs Éireann
production of Triptych. He received honorary degrees in 1977 and 1980
from the NUI and the University of Dublin respectively.
actor. He appeared in numerous films and television productions in a
career lasting more than 70 years. In 2020, he was listed at number 14
on The Irish Times' list of Ireland's greatest film actors.Cusack was
born in Durban, Natal, South Africa. His mother, Alice Violet (née
Cole), was an English Cockney actress and chorus girl, and his father,
James Walter Cusack, was an Irish mounted policeman in Natal Colony,
South Africa. His parents separated when he was young and his mother
took him to England, and then to Ireland. Cusack's mother and her
partner, Brefni O'Rorke, joined the O'Brien and Ireland Players. Cyril
made his first stage performance at the age of seven. Cusack was
educated in Newbridge College, Newbridge, County Kildare and
University College Dublin. He left without a degree and joined the
Abbey Theatre in 1932. Between then and 1945, he performed in over 60
productions, particularly excelling in the plays of Seán O'Casey. He
also performed in plays by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy Katie Roche
and The King of Spain's Daughter. In 1932 he also joined the Gate
Theatre company, appearing with them in many notable productions over
the years. In 1947, Cusack formed his own company and staged
productions in Dublin, Paris and New York.In 1963, Cusack joined the
Royal Shakespeare Company in London and appeared there for several
seasons. By this stage he had established a successful career in
films, which had started at the age of eight. Also in 1963, Cusack won
a Jacob's Award for his performance in the TelefÃs Éireann
production of Triptych. He received honorary degrees in 1977 and 1980
from the NUI and the University of Dublin respectively.
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