David Patrick O'Hara (born 9 July 1965) is a Scottish stage and character actor. A graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, he is best known to audiences for his numerous supporting roles in high-profile films, including Irishman Stephen in Braveheart, dimwitted mobster Fitzy in The Departed, hitman Mr. X in Wanted, and Albert Runcorn in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. He portrayed Det. Danny 'Mac' McGregor on The District and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey on The Tudors.
Early life O'Hara was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Martha (née Scott) and Patrick O'Hara, a construction worker. He lived with a large family, and was raised in the Pollok Housing Estate.David O'Hara Biography (1965–) at Filmreference.com His family was Catholic and of Irish descent. After leaving school he was accepted for a Youth Opportunities Programme, at a community theatre based at the Glasgow Arts Centre which toured local schools. At age 17, he moved to London to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, but left after two terms because of a shortage of funds. He went back to Scotland and landed a role in Bill Forsyth's Comfort and Joy, then returned to Central to finish his last term, where he was the understudy to Ralph Fiennes in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Career O'Hara appeared in a number of Shakespearean productions, including Romeo and Juliet at the Regent Park Open-Air Theatre and The Comedy of Errors at The Pleasance. He spent a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Barbican Centre, where he starred in Bite of the Night, which was directed by Danny Boyle. He appeared as the "mad" Irishman Stephen in Braveheart, which to date is his most recognized role.
O'Hara had a featured role in the US series The District, which he left after one season to return to the UK. In 2006, O'Hara appeared as Fitzy, one of Jack Nicholson's chief mobsters in the Oscar-winning film The Departed.
In June 2009, O'Hara was filming The Tudors in Dublin.David O'Hara set for "The Tudors" . MovieWeb He played Albert Runcorn and Harry Potter disguised as Runcorn in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. In April 2017, O'Hara appeared as Alistair Fitz in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Leo Fitz's father.
Filmography
Film Year Title RoleNotes1984Comfort and JoyEngineer1986LinkTom1989ResurrectedMale Nurse1992The BridgePhillip Wilson Steer1995BraveheartStephenThe Near RoomHarris Hill1996Some Mother's SonFrank Higgins1997The Devil's OwnMartin MacDuffThe Slab BoysTerry SkinnedarThe MatchmakerSean Kelly1999FeverWillThe MatchThe MechanicJanice Beard 45 WPMO'Brien2001MadeThe Welshman2003Den of LionsFerko KurchinaStanderAllan Heyl2004Hotel RwandaDavid2006Tristan and IsoldeDonnchadhThe DepartedPatrick "Fitzy" Fitzgibbons2008DoomsdayMichael CanarisWantedMr. X2009DarfurFreddie SmithJack SaidThe Boss2010The KidTerryGolf in the KingdomShivas IronsHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1Albert Runcorn2011Cowboys & AliensPat DolanWhole Lotta SoleMad Dog Flynn2012ContrabandJim ChurchBest Laid PlansCurtis2013The GroundsmanKeith2014Reach MeThumper2015The MessengerDCI Keane2016Dias SantanaCalum MackieThe RisingJames ConnollyDirt Road to LafayetteTom2017 In ExtremisAlex2019Cold PursuitSlyThe Professor and the MadmanChurch 2022DEUS: The Dark SphereUlph The Sparrow Larry2024Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1Bowler Hat Surveyor
Television Year Title RoleNotes1985One by OneAndy3 episodes1990TaggartMalcolm DurieEpisode: "Evil Eye Part One"1991ChimeraReynolds2 episodesJute CityDuncan Kerr3 episodes1990–92Screen TwoMichael / Ronnie Wilson2 episodes1993Full StretchSteve BissellEpisode: "Ivory Tower"1994GrushkoLev2 episodesThe Tales of Para HandyRobert GrantEpisode: "The End of the World"Open FireArmed RobberTelevision film1996Prime SuspectDS Rankine2 episodes1997Oliver TwistBill SikesTelevision film1999JesusJohn the Baptist2000Donovan QuickClive2000–01The DistrictDet. Danny 'Mac' McGregor2001Crossfire TrailRock Mullaney2004Pulling MovesNuts & BoltsEpisode: "All Day Long"2005The CommanderDCC Stephen 'Blackdog' BlacktonTelevision film2007DamageJohn Ward2008Trial & RetributionDI Jack MullinsEpisode: "The Box: Part 1"2010The TudorsHenry Howard, Earl of Surrey9 episodes2012Covert AffairsDmitri LarionovEpisode: "Let's Dance"2013LutherDSU George Stark4 episodes2015GothamReggie Payne2 episodes2017Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Alistair Fitz3 episodes
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