Brian Dennehy was a highly acclaimed American actor known for his work in theater, film, and television. With a career spanning over 180 films and numerous stage and TV productions, he garnered numerous awards including two Tony Awards, an Olivier Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He was also nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards. Among his notable film roles are appearances in First Blood, Gorky Park, Silverado, Cocoon, and Romeo + Juliet. He received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Willy Loman in the television film Death of a Salesman, for which he won a Golden Globe. Dennehy remained active in the industry until his passing, with his final film, Driveways, released in 2020.
July 9, 1938: Birth of Brian Dennehy
Brian Manion Dennehy was born on July 9, 1938.
1956: Dennehy Begins Studies at Columbia University
Brian Dennehy started his college education at Columbia University on a football scholarship in the fall of 1956.
1958: Enlistment in the Marines
Brian Dennehy joined the United States Marine Corps in 1958, serving until 1963. During his service, he played football on Okinawa.
1959: First Marriage
Brian Dennehy entered his first marriage in 1959 while serving in the Marines.
1960: Dennehy Resumes Education at Columbia University
After serving in the U.S. Marines, Brian Dennehy returned to Columbia University in 1960.
1963: End of Military Service
Brian Dennehy completed his service in the United States Marine Corps in 1963.
1965: Dennehy Graduates from Columbia University
Brian Dennehy graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1965.
1977: Dennehy Appears in "Semi-Tough"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the comedy "Semi-Tough" in 1977, starring Burt Reynolds.
1978: Dennehy in "Foul Play"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the comedy "Foul Play" in 1978 alongside Chevy Chase.
1979: Dennehy in "10"
Brian Dennehy had a role in the film "10" in 1979, starring Dudley Moore.
1980: Dennehy in "A Rumor of War"
Brian Dennehy portrayed Sergeant Ned T. "Frozen Chosen" Coleman in the television movie "A Rumor of War" in 1980.
1981: Dennehy in "Skokie"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the television film "Skokie" in 1981.
1982: Brian Dennehy's Breakthrough Role in "First Blood"
Brian Dennehy's performance as Sheriff Will Teasle in "First Blood," released in 1982, marked his breakthrough role.
1982: Dennehy Stars in "Star of the Family"
Brian Dennehy had a lead role as fire chief and celebrity father Leslie "Buddy" Krebs in the short-lived television series "Star of the Family" in 1982.
1983: Dennehy Stars in "Gorky Park"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the thriller "Gorky Park" in 1983.
1985: Dennehy in "Silverado" and "Cocoon"
Brian Dennehy took on roles in the western "Silverado" and the science fiction film "Cocoon," both released in 1985.
1986: Dennehy in "F/X"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the film "F/X" in 1986.
1987: Dennehy Stars in "Best Seller" and "The Belly of an Architect"
Brian Dennehy starred in the thriller "Best Seller" alongside James Woods and took on a leading role in Peter Greenaway's "The Belly of an Architect" in 1987. He received the Best Actor Award at the 1987 Chicago International Film Festival for his performance in the latter.
1987: Divorce from First Wife
Brian Dennehy's first marriage ended in divorce in 1987.
1988: Dennehy in "Cocoon: The Return"
Brian Dennehy appeared in "Cocoon: The Return," the sequel to the science fiction film "Cocoon," in 1988.
1988: Dennehy Stars in "The Man from Snowy River II"
Brian Dennehy starred as Harrison in the Australian film "The Man from Snowy River II" in 1988.
1988: Second Marriage
In 1988, Brian Dennehy married Jennifer Arnott, who is Australian.
1989: Dennehy in "Day One"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the television film "Day One" in 1989.
1990: Dennehy in "Presumed Innocent"
Brian Dennehy was part of the cast of the film "Presumed Innocent" in 1990.
1991: Dennehy in "F/X2: The Deadly Art of Illusion"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the sequel "F/X2: The Deadly Art of Illusion" in 1991.
1992: Emmy Nominations for "To Catch a Killer" and "The Burden of Proof"
Brian Dennehy received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 1992. He was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie for his portrayal of John Wayne Gacy in "To Catch a Killer" and for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie for "The Burden of Proof."
1992: Lead Role in "The Iceman Cometh"
Brian Dennehy took on the lead role of Hickey in Robert Falls's production of Eugene O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh" at Dublin's Abbey Theatre in the fall of 1992.
1993: Dennehy in "Prophet of Evil"
Brian Dennehy was part of the cast of the film "Prophet of Evil" in 1993.
1993: Emmy Nomination for "Murder in the Heartland"
Brian Dennehy was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his work in the television movie "Murder in the Heartland" in 1993.
1995: Broadway Debut
Brian Dennehy made his Broadway debut in 1995 in Brian Friel's "Translations."
1995: Dennehy in "Tommy Boy"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the comedy "Tommy Boy" in 1995, alongside Chris Farley and David Spade.
1996: Dennehy in "Romeo + Juliet"
Brian Dennehy played the role of Romeo's father in the 1996 film adaptation of "Romeo + Juliet."
1999: Dennehy Appears in "South Park" Film and "The Simpsons"
An animated version of Brian Dennehy was featured in the 1999 film "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" and made an appearance in an episode of the animated sitcom "The Simpsons."
1999: Apology for Stolen Valor
Brian Dennehy issued an apology in 1999 for misrepresenting his military service. He admitted to lying about serving in Vietnam and expressed remorse for stealing valor.
1999: Sarah Siddons Award
In 1999, Brian Dennehy became the first male performer to receive the Sarah Siddons Award for his work in Chicago theater.
1999: Tony Award for Death of a Salesman
In 1999, Brian Dennehy won his first Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play for his performance in "Death of a Salesman."
2000: Dennehy Wins Golden Globe for "Death of a Salesman"
Brian Dennehy's performance as Willy Loman in the television film "Death of a Salesman" earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film in 2000.
2003: Tony Award for Long Day's Journey into Night
Brian Dennehy won his second Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play in 2003 for his role in Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night."
2005: Emmy Nomination for "Our Fathers"
Brian Dennehy received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance in the Showtime television movie "Our Fathers" in 2005.
January 2007: Dennehy Guest Stars on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Brian Dennehy guest-starred in the episode "Scheherazade" of the television series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in January 2007.
2007: Dennehy Voices Django in "Ratatouille"
Brian Dennehy lent his voice to the character of Django, Remy's father, in the animated film "Ratatouille" in 2007.
2007: Broadway Return in "Inherit the Wind"
Dennehy returned to Broadway in 2007 as Matthew Harrison Brady in "Inherit the Wind," performing alongside Christopher Plummer.
April 2008: Dennehy Guest Stars on "30 Rock"
Brian Dennehy made a guest appearance in the episode "Sandwich Day" of the television series "30 Rock" in April 2008.
2008: Dennehy in "Righteous Kill"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the cop drama "Righteous Kill," starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, in 2008.
2008: Stratford Shakespeare Festival Appearances
Dennehy participated in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada in 2008. He played the King of France in "All's Well That Ends Well" and reprised his role as Erie Smith in a double bill of Samuel Beckett's "Krapp's Last Tape" and Eugene O'Neill's "Hughie."
2009: Dennehy Guest Stars on "Rules of Engagement"
Brian Dennehy appeared as a guest star in an episode of the television series "Rules of Engagement" in 2009.
2009: Broadway Revival of "Desire Under the Elms"
In 2009, Brian Dennehy appeared in a Broadway revival of Eugene O'Neill's "Desire Under the Elms" with Carla Gugino.
December 2010: Performance in "The Field"
In December 2010, Dennehy returned to Ireland to portray Bull McCabe in the Olympia Theatre of Dublin's stage adaptation of John B. Keane's "The Field."
2010: Dennehy in "The Next Three Days"
Brian Dennehy played the father of Russell Crowe's character in the 2010 suspense film "The Next Three Days."
2010: American Theatre Hall of Fame Induction
Brian Dennehy was honored with an induction into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2010.
2010: Dennehy Inducted into American Theater Hall of Fame
In 2010, Brian Dennehy was honored with induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
2011: Return to Stratford and Pinter Performance
Dennehy returned to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2011, portraying Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." He also played Max in the first Harold Pinter play produced there, "The Homecoming."
June 2012: "The Iceman Cometh" at the Goodman Theatre
From April to June 2012, Dennehy played Larry Slade in Eugene O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh" at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.
2015: Dennehy in "Knight of Cups"
Brian Dennehy appeared in the film "Knight of Cups" in 2015.
2015: Dennehy Co-Stars in "Cocked" Pilot
Brian Dennehy co-starred in the pilot episode of the Amazon Studios series "Cocked" in 2015.
2015: "The Iceman Cometh" Revival
Dennehy reprised his role as Larry Slade in "The Iceman Cometh" in 2015 for a revival of the Goodman Theatre production at the BAM Harvey Theater in Brooklyn, New York.
April 15, 2020: Death of Brian Dennehy
Brian Dennehy passed away on April 15, 2020.