Liam Neeson
Before he traveled Europe hunting down the bad guys in Taken, actor Liam Neeson worked as a forklift operator for Guinness (how appropriately Irish!), a truck driver, architect and amateur boxer. He originally attended school to become a teacher but later was spotted by director John Boorman while performing in Dublin’s Abbey Theater classics. This would lead to his first breakthrough role in 1981’s Excalibur.
Emma Roberts
The American Horror Story actress and niece to Julia Roberts was born in Rhinebeck, New York to parents of Irish descent. She made her acting debut at age nine in Ted Demme’s 2001 drama Blow. She has appeared in several feature films and made her return to television in 2013 in the third season of American Horror Story.
Colin Farrell
This Hollywood hottie hails straight from the Emerald Isle: He was born in Dublin, Ireland. As a child he wanted to follow his father’s footsteps and play football, he found his way into acting instead. His most prominent films include Minority Report, Phone Booth, S.W.A.T., Alexander, Miami Vice, New World and In Bruges.
Demi Lovato
The Give Your Heart a Break singer made her debut as a child actress in Barney & Friends and found her breakthrough role in 2008’s television series Camp Rock. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lovato is of Mexican, Spanish, Jewish and Native American descent along with Irish.
Taylor Lautner
While the Twilight actor’s heritage includes Austrian, English, German, French and Dutch in addition to Irish, this hottie definitely deserves a place on our list. His early career includes several failed films and TV projects, but his breakthrough role as Jacob Black in the $329 million grossing Twilight cemented his place as a teen idol.
photo: Clint Spaulding/Patrick McMullan/Sipa
Daniel Day-Lewis
The actor holds both British and Irish citizenship, having split a considerable amount of time between New York and his 50 acre country home in Ireland’s County Wicklowremote. He is best known for his Oscar winning roles in 2008’s There Will Be Blood and 1990’s My Left Foot. He was also nominated for his 2003 role in Gangs of New York and 2013’s Lincoln.
Abigail Breslin
One of the youngest actresses to ever be nominated for an Academy Award, Breslin made her acting debut at the age of three. She first appeared in a major feature film in 2002’s Signs and her resume of work includes Little Miss Sunshine, No Reservations, Nim’s Island, Definitely, Maybe, My Sister’s Keeper, Zombieland, Rango, August: Osage County and The Call.
photo: Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP
Pierce Brosnan
While the hunky Pierce Brosnan has an impressive resume of work, he will always be James Bond to us, having played the iconic character in GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough. Born in County Meath, Ireland, Brosnan moved to London at age 11 and quickly began his acting career.
photo: Eric Charbonneau/Invision/AP
Jennifer Lawrence
Fan favorite Jennifer Lawrence, or J.Law, is one of the best known Hollywood celebs of Irish heritage. She has earned Golden Globes and Academy Awards for her roles in Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle but is best known for her role as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games series.
Miley Cyrus
Disney starlet-turned-wild child Miley Cyrus has made headlines recently for her antics on stage at the MTV Music Awards among other things. She was born in Nashville, TN and is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Her breakthrough role came at the age of 11 in Disney’s Hannah Montana series but Miley has transitioned into other projects since.
