Posted 15 February 2011
Star of the Damned United and the Queen receives L&H Society James Joyce Award
Welsh actor Michael Sheen, best known for his portrayal of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in The Queen (2006), and more recently for his portrayal of Leeds United manager Brian Clough in The Damned United (2009), received the James Joyce Award from the UCD Literary and Historical Society on Friday 11 February 2011.
Before receiving the award, Michael Sheen took part in a live interview and Q&A session with students.
Pictured far right: Welsh actor Michael Sheen at University College Dublin before receiving the James Joyce Award from the L&H (Literary and Historical) Society
“We present Michael Sheen with the L&H James Joyce Award for his contribution to acting on screen and stage,” said Niall Fahy, Auditor of the UCD Literary and Historical Society, University College Dublin.
“Each time you watch him portraying a public figure – like Tony Blair, Kenneth Williams, Brian Clough or David Frost, you think: ‘it’s truly uncanny’. He’s also a Shakespearean stage actor, whose portrayals of Romeo and Henry V marked him out as ‘one to watch’ from his early career.”
Sheen has portrayed Tony Blair three times: in The Deal (2003), the Channel 4 drama about the pact between Gordon Brown and Blair; in The Queen (2006); and in The Special Relationship (2010), a film about Blair's friendship with Bill Clinton.
His other movie roles include: David Frost in Frost/Nixon (2008); Lucian, the Lycan hero in the Vampire/werewolf trilogy: Underworld (2003); Evolution (2006); and Rise of the Lycans (2009); and Aro, the sinister and powerful leader of the Volturi, in the 'Twilight' sequel New Moon (2009).
In 2009, Michael Sheen was awarded an OBE for his services to drama.
Born in Newport, he studied at the National Youth Theatre of Wales, the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and Rada. He divides his time between London and Los Angeles.
Previous recipients of the UCD Literary and Historical Society James Joyce Award include: Hollywood comedian, Will Ferrell; music producer and arranger, the man known as the Fifth Beatle, Sir George Henry Martin; Harry Potter author, JK Rowling; author, Salman Rushdie; former Monty Python, Michael Palin; and The Who Front Man and legendary rock star, Roger Daltrey.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
