Stephen Rea is a distinguished Irish actor whose career spans more than five decades. Born in Belfast, he earned international acclaim for his Oscar-nominated performance in The Crying Game and has built a reputation for complex, morally nuanced roles in both film and theatre. His personal life, including a high-profile marriage to former IRA member Dolours Price, has also drawn significant public attention.
Who Is Stephen Rea? Early Life and Education
- Stephen Rea is an acclaimed Irish actor with a career spanning over 50 years, best known for his Oscar-nominated role in The Crying Game.
- His personal life includes a controversial marriage to former IRA member Dolours Price, which adds a layer of public interest beyond his filmography.
- Despite his fame, Rea has maintained a relatively private personal life, leading to persistent curiosity about his net worth and family status.
- The query ‘Stephen Rea Ozzy’ likely stems from a confusion with another actor or a minor role; no major role named Ozzy appears in his filmography – this represents a gap that needs clarification.
- Rea co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company in 1980 with playwrights Brian Friel and Seamus Heaney, a venture that sought to use theatre to address the political tensions of the Troubles.
- His long-standing collaboration with director Neil Jordan has produced some of his most memorable screen work, including The Crying Game, Interview with the Vampire, and Breakfast on Pluto.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen Rea |
| Date of Birth | 31 October 1946 |
| Birthplace | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Spouse | Dolours Price (1983-2003) |
| Children | Two children |
| Notable Award | Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (The Crying Game, 1992) |
| Other Notable Roles | Michael Collins, Interview with the Vampire, The End of the Affair |
| Estimated Net Worth | $10 million (approximate) |
Stephen Rea’s Personal Life: Marriage to Dolours Price
Stephen Rea married Dolours Price in 1983. Price was a well-known former member of the IRA who had been convicted for her role in the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London. The marriage drew considerable media attention because of the sharp contrast between Rea’s public artistic career and Price’s paramilitary past.
Dolours Price was a prominent figure in the Irish republican movement. She took part in a hunger strike while imprisoned and later became a vocal critic of the Good Friday Agreement. Her relationship with Rea placed the actor in the unusual position of being connected, by marriage, to one of the most sensitive chapters of the Troubles.
Did Stephen Rea have children with Dolours Price?
Yes, the couple had two children together. Rea and Price divorced in 2003, and since then, Rea has kept details of his current relationship status largely out of the public eye. He has not remarried or been publicly linked to a partner in subsequent years.
Was Stephen Rea ever involved with the IRA?
No. While Rea’s ex-wife was a former IRA member, there is no evidence or credible claim that Stephen Rea himself ever participated in or supported paramilitary activity. His political views have not been publicly disclosed in any detail, and he has consistently avoided discussing the subject in interviews.
Stephen Rea’s Movies and Career Highlights
Rea spent two decades working on stage before breaking into international cinema. His filmography includes acclaimed independent films, major Hollywood productions, and award-winning television work. A frequent collaborator with director Neil Jordan, Rea has appeared in some of the most celebrated Irish films of the past thirty years.
The Crying Game (1992) is widely regarded as a landmark film for LGBTQ+ representation in cinema. Rea’s character, Fergus, develops a relationship with a transgender woman, Dil, played by Jaye Davidson. The film’s twist ending and its sensitive handling of identity and love made it a cultural touchstone and earned Rea an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Wikipedia notes that the role remains his most recognized performance.
What are Stephen Rea’s most famous movies?
A selection of his key film roles includes:
- The Crying Game (1992) – Fergus; earned Oscar and BAFTA nominations. Rotten Tomatoes ranks this as his signature performance.
- Interview with the Vampire (1994) – Santiago; a Neil Jordan collaboration.
- Michael Collins (1996) – Harry Burnett; another Jordan collaboration.
- V for Vendetta (2005) – Finch; one of his most widely seen roles. IMDb lists this among his most popular credits.
- Breakfast on Pluto (2005) – Bertie; a further collaboration with Neil Jordan.
- Black ’47 (2018) – Conneely; a historical drama set during the Great Famine.
- The Miracle Club (2023) – Frank; his most recent credited film role as of 2025.
Has Stephen Rea won an Oscar?
No, but he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for The Crying Game in 1993. He also received a Golden Globe nomination for the same role. His major award win came in 2015, when he won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the television series The Honourable Woman. He was also nominated for a Tony Award and has won three IFTA Awards (Irish Film and Television Awards).
Did Stephen Rea play a character named Ozzy?
This appears to be a misconception. No verified source or official filmography lists Stephen Rea in a role named Ozzy. The query may stem from a confusion with another actor or an uncredited minor part that has not been documented. His official filmography on IMDb does not include any character by that name.
What television work has Stephen Rea done?
Rea has appeared in several notable television series. He played antagonist Gatehouse in The Shadow Line (2011), starred as Letts in Utopia (2013), and narrated Horrible Histories (2001–2002). His performance in The Honourable Woman (2014) as Nathan Vasner earned him a BAFTA Award. Earlier TV roles include Crossroads (1964), I Didn’t Know You Cared (1975–1976), and Not with a Bang (1990).
How Old Is Stephen Rea and What Is His Net Worth?
Stephen Rea was born on 31 October 1946 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As of 2025, he is 78 years old. He stands approximately 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall.
His estimated net worth is $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This figure is an approximation and is not officially confirmed by Rea or his representatives. His wealth derives from decades of film, television, and stage work, as well as his involvement in theatre production through the Field Day Theatre Company.
Net worth figures for private individuals are often speculative. Celebrity Net Worth estimates Rea’s wealth at $10 million, but no official financial disclosure exists. Other estimates have placed the figure lower or higher. Readers should treat all celebrity net worth figures as rough approximations rather than verified facts.
Stephen Rea’s Career Timeline
- 1946 – Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- 1960s – Attended Queen’s University, then Abbey Theatre School; began stage career with Focus Theatre in Dublin.
- 1970s – Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company; began appearing in films and TV.
- 1980 – Co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company with Brian Friel and Seamus Heaney.
- 1982 – Married Dolours Price, former IRA member.
- 1992 – Starred in The Crying Game, earning an Oscar nomination.
- 1996 – Played Harry Burnett in Michael Collins.
- 2003 – Divorced Dolours Price.
- 2005 – Nominated for a Tony Award for The Vertical Hour.
- 2020s – Continued acting in TV series and films, including The Miracle Club (2023).
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
Established Information
- Stephen Rea was married to Dolours Price; they had two children.
- He was nominated for an Academy Award for The Crying Game.
- He was born in Belfast and trained at the Abbey Theatre.
- His net worth is estimated but not officially confirmed.
- He co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company in 1980.
Information That Remains Unclear
- Whether he ever played a character named ‘Ozzy’ – no such role appears in his official filmography; this may be a confusion with another actor or a minor uncredited part.
- Exact details of his current relationship status after divorce – not publicly disclosed.
- Precise net worth figures – estimates vary.
- His political views or involvement with the IRA through his ex-wife – Rea has not publicly discussed this in depth.
Analysis and Context
Stephen Rea’s career is marked by a blend of art-house and mainstream success, often playing complex, morally ambiguous characters. His role in The Crying Game broke ground for LGBTQ+ representation in cinema and remains a defining moment in his professional life. The National Gallery of Ireland acquired a portrait of him in 2025, underscoring his status as a significant figure in Irish cultural life.
His marriage to Dolours Price, an IRA hunger striker, has drawn media scrutiny, but Rea has largely kept their private life out of the public eye. This has led to a persistent public curiosity about his personal affairs, reflected in search queries. The search for ‘Stephen Rea Ozzy’ appears to be a niche question. A possible explanation: an uncredited voice role in a TV show named ‘Ozzy’ or a misremembered character. No verified source confirms such a role, indicating this may be a misconception.
Sources and Quotations
“Stephen Rea is an Irish actor best known for ‘The Crying Game’.”
– Wikipedia
“Born in Belfast, he attended Belfast High School and Queen’s University before training at the Abbey Theatre School.”
– National Gallery of Ireland
What’s Next for Stephen Rea?
As of 2025, Stephen Rea remains active in the entertainment industry. His most recent credited film role was in The Miracle Club (2023). No confirmed upcoming projects have been announced, but given his long career and continued presence in the industry, further roles in film, television, or theatre are likely. Fans can follow updates through his IMDb page or film industry news. For more actor biographies in a similar vein, see Robbie Coltrane – Life, Career and Cause of Death and Humphrey Ker – Actor, Comedian, and Wrexham AFC Director.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stephen Rea still alive?
Yes, Stephen Rea is alive as of 2025.
How tall is Stephen Rea?
He is approximately 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall.
Does Stephen Rea have children?
Yes, he has two children with his ex-wife Dolours Price.
What is Stephen Rea’s most famous movie?
His most famous movie is The Crying Game (1992), for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
Did Stephen Rea serve in the IRA?
No, Stephen Rea has never been involved with the IRA. His ex-wife Dolours Price was a former IRA member, but he himself has no known paramilitary connections.
What are Stephen Rea’s upcoming projects?
As of 2025, no upcoming projects have been officially announced. He may be involved in theatre or film projects yet to be publicized.
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