Philip O'Sullivan is an Irish actor with contributions to Irish arts and culture through his roles and performances in theatre, on film and on television. O'Sullivan has been involved with the Abbey Theatre Ireland since the 1970s. In 1975 he appeared in an Abbey Theatre production of a play by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy called Katie Roche where he played the part of Michael Maguire, this production ran for 21 performances.
O'Sullivan is also known for voice acting roles and his character driven distinguishable voice forms the sound track for many advertisements.
Early life. Irish actor Philip (Thomas John) O'Sullivan was born in Dublin on the 4th of April 1956, one of nine children born to Marie (née Stanford) O'Sullivan and John F (Jack) O'Sullivan, consultant surgeon at The Mater Hospital. His father died the following year, aged forty-two.
He attended primary and secondary education at Terenure College Dublin. Although renowned for its rugby prowess, it also had a thriving theatre tradition and Philip appeared in a wide variety of roles while there. Pre voice-breaking parts included Soothsayer in Julius Caesar, Duchess of York in Richard III and Maisie Madigan in Juno and the Paycock, followed by McLoghlain "The Curate" in Joseph Tomelty's Is the Priest at Home and Seamus Sheilds in The Shadow of a Gunman. He was also active in the local drama society, directing and appearing in The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth and A Man for All Seasons.
Career to now.
In his final year at Terenure College (1973) he was spotted by Joe Dowling playing Donald in a production of Simon Gray's Spoiled at The Project Arts Centre. This led to an offer to join The Young Abbey Theatre Group, a theatre in education element of The Abbey at that time. A year later he was offered a contract with the Abbey Theatre Company, Ireland's National Theatre, one of the youngest actors ever to receive a Players contract He appeared in numerous plays on both The Abbey and Peacock stages during his first contract. The Vicar of Wakefield, Ulysees in Nighttown, Oedipus, Mrs. Warren's Profession, All You Need is Love, Three Sisters, Sanctified Distances, Purgatory, Find the Lady, Blood Wedding, Katie Roche, Stephen D and The Life and Times of Benvenuto Cellini being just some.
From 1979 to 1981, he went freelance, pursuing TV/ Film work and also independent theatre opportunities. In this time, he worked with The Irish Theatre Company (principally touring Ben Traver's A Cuckoo in the Nest). He played David Charters in SOS Titanic (EMI Films) and made two major TV series for RTE, The Burke Enigma , the station's first all film/location TV crime/detective drama produced and directed by the award-winning Brian Mac Lochlainn and Seán, a thirteen hour drama series on the early life of Sean O'Casey, produced and directed by Louis Lentin. He also starred as Artie in RTE's television adaptation of Teresa's Wedding by William Trevor, directed by Donal Farmer. Theatre appearances included Billy Bibbit in a star-studded cast including Liam Neeson, John Kavanagh, Ray McAnally, Joan O'Hara and Tom Hickey in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (Noel Pearson Productions), Simon Bliss in Hay Fever, John Brown in Robin Glendinning's Jennifer's Vacation (Gate Theatre), Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (Louis O'Sullivan Productions) and Alistair Spenlow in Move Over Mrs. Markham (Oscar Theatre).
On his return under contract to The Abbey ('81/'83), a time he referred to in a radio interview as "The Happy Time", he was involved in several new plays as well as the more traditional Abbey cannon. Plays and musicals included Mary Makebelieve,The Lugnaquilla Gorilla, Hamlet, The Plough and the Stars, The Hidden Curriculum, Childish Things, Fiche Blían á Fás, Petty Sessions, The Merchant of Venice, The Glass Menagerie and The Silver Dollar Boys.