Actor. He will be best remembered for his lead role as 'Darby O'Gill' in the classic Walt Disney fantasy film, "Darby O'Gill And The Little People" (1959). The film, which was directed by Robert Stevenson, and also starred Jimmy O'Dea, Janet Munro, and a young Sean Connery, tells the story of a wily old codger who matches wits with the King of the Leprechauns and helps play matchmaker for his daughter and the strapping lad who has replaced him as a caretaker. Born in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland), he attended the Christian Brothers School in Belfast, Ireland, and started his career in show business as a child. He first began selling programs at the Empire Theater and also became a magician's assistant. He later appeared in vaudeville, toured Europe, and was in a comic act with actor and comedian Joe Carney. He also joined the Frank Benson Shakespearean Repertory Company. He then began appearing in films and made his debut playing the role of an 'Irish landlord' in the thriller, "I See A Dark Stranger" (1946), which also starred Deborah Kerr. By chance, he was discovered by Ria Mooney of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, and she convinced him to go to New York to try out for the lead in a Broadway play. He later took her advice and went to New York, where he appeared in Lee Sabinson and William R. Katzell's Broadway production of "Finian's Rainbow" in the role of 'Finian McLonergan' in 1947. He was an overnight success and he was so busy in the role for the next few months that he was even able to bring his family over to watch. He later returned to Ireland and became a longtime member of the Abbey Players. He never returned to the United States to the stage, but he did continue acting on stage in his native Ireland. He also returned to films. Besides, "I See A Dark Stranger" (1946), and "Darby O'Gill And The Little People" (1959), his other film credits include, "Odd Man Out" (1947), "Up In Central Park" (1948), "The Return Of October" (1948), "Portrait Of Jennie" (1948), "Adventure In Baltimore" (1949), "Royal Wedding" (1951), "The Highwayman" (1951), "You Never Can Tell" (1952), "Face To Face" (1952), and "Brigadoon" (1954). He also appeared in the television series, "The Bigelow Theatre" in 1950. During the 1950s, he decided he wanted to retire from acting, but when the legendary animator Walt Disney visited him in person at his home in Ireland he was urged not to retire but instead play the role of 'Darby O'Gill' in "Darby O'Gill And The Little People" (1959). His last film role was as 'Albert Tosher Sparrow' in the crime thriller, "The Day They Robbed The Bank Of England" (1960). He retired from acting for good in 1960. He passed away in his native Belfast, Ireland, at the age of 84.