John Richard Molloy (; ; 18 March 1929 – 2 September 1999) was an Irish playwright and character actor, celebrated in The Irish Times as "one of the most versatile actors of the Dublin stage in the 1960s and 1970s."Holland, Kitty. "Actor John Molloy dies in US, aged 70." The Irish Times, Sept. 4 1999. Accessed Nov. 6 2025. <https://www.irishtimes.com/news/actor-john-molloy-dies-in-us-aged-70-1.223605\> .
Molloy was best known for his starring role as Oliver Feeney in the RTÉ series Tolka Row (1964–1969), Ireland's first original primetime drama.Woods, C. "From Bang Bang to ’Frisco Bay." The Irish Times, 4 Sept. 1999. Accessed Nov. 6, 2025. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/from-bang-bang-to-frisco-bay-1.223803 . He gained further recognition for his work on film, co-starring as Corny Kelleher in Joseph Strick’s Ulysses (1967), an adaptation of the James Joyce novel of the same name.American Film Institute. AFI Catalog of Feature Films – "Ulysses." Accessed November 6 2025. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/23185 . He later found a creative home at the National Theatre of Ireland, where he appeared in over two dozen productions from 1970 to 1980.
Also accomplished dramatist, Molloy's plays and musicals were staged at the Abbey Theatre, the Gate Theatre, the Gaitey Theatre, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the San Francisco International Arts Festival, and elsewhere."‘MOLLOY’ FOLLOWS IN FATHER’S ACTING, WRITING FOOTSTEPS." The Morning Call, March 6, 1993. https://www.mcall.com/1993/03/06/molloy-follows-in-fathers-acting-writing-footsteps/ Additionally, he wrote and starred in the musical revue Double Dublin, which played the Helen Hayes Theater on Broadway from 1963 to 1964.Playbill. "John Molloy." Playbill Vault – Performer, accessed November 6 2025. https://www.playbill.com/person/john‑molloy‑vault‑0000026293 . By his own account, throughout his life Molloy authored 40 theatrical revues, two musicals, numerous television and radio plays, and a best-selling memoir, Alive, Alive-O (Dolmen Press, 1975).Hurwitt, Robert. "John Molloy, Actor and Teller of Tales." San Francisco Chronicle, September 10 1999. Accessed November 6 2025. https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/john‑molloy‑actor‑and‑teller‑of‑tales‑3068051.php .
Early life Molloy was born in Dublin, Ireland as the son of a professional comedian. He ran away from home at age 14 to join the "fit-ups," troupes of actors that roamed the countryside performing in small towns and villages.Irish Echo Staff. "Molloy’s ‘Smarty Girl’ Delves into Family’s Past." Irish Echo, 4 Apr. 2012. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025. https://www.irishecho.com/2012/4/molloy-e2-80-99s-e2-80-98smarty-girl-e2-80-99-delves-into-family-e2-80-99s-past . He later spent some years in Paris, France, apprenticing under the famed mime, Marcel Marceau. He left France for a brief stint in the Irish Naval Service, but was discharged after contracting tuberculosis. Molloy spent six years recuperating in various Dublin hospitals, during which time his disability pension subsidized his return to theatre.O’Connor, Kevin. "John Molloy." The Guardian, 16 Sept. 1999. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/news/1999/sep/16/guardianobituaries1 .
Career
Stage Upon recovering from tuberculosis, Molloy was discovered by Micheál Mac Liammóir and Hilton Edwards, the founders of the Gate Theatre. From 1955 to 1965 he appeared in numerous Gate productions, including Luigi Pirandello's The Masquerade of Henry IV, John Kelly's The Third Day, and Paddy Cullens' The Dallers. In 1963 Molloy embarked to New York City with his comedy partner Noel Sheridan, co-writing and starring in the musical review Double Dublin at the Helen Hayes Theater on Broadway. In 1969 he appeared in Dominic Roche's adaptation of The Mullingar Recruits by George Farquhar at the Dublin Theatre Festival.
Beginning in 1970, Molloy found a creative home at the Abbey Theatre. During his tenure with the company he specialize in the works of Samuel Beckett, appearing in multiple productions of Waiting for Godot, Act Without Words I, and That Time. Other noteworthy roles from this period included Rev. Paris in the Irish premiere of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Porter in Carlo Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters, and Fender in Wolf Mankowitz’s The Bespoke Overcoat. He also starred in two of his own plays at the Abbey, From the Vikings to Bang Bang and Molloy, directed by his then wife, Yvonne Voigt Molloy. When later reflecting on this period, Joe Dowling, the Artistic Director of the Abbey, stated
In 1981 Molloy emigrated to the United States, settling in San Francisco. That same year, his one man show Molloy ran for three months at the San Francisco International Arts Festival. The production proved a hit, and Molloy continued to perform the piece in the Bay area throughout the 1980s.Hurwitt, Robert. "John Molloy, actor and teller of tales." SFGate, 10 Sept. 1999. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/john-molloy-actor-and-teller-of-tales-3068051.php .
Screen Molloy's first film role was in Joseph Losey's 1960 neo-noir film The Criminal. In 1967 he co-starred as Corny Kelleher in Joseph Strick’s film Ulysses, an adaptation of the James Joyce novel of the same name. The film premiered in competition the 20th Cannes Film Festival, where the French subtitles were censored by festival organizers.Shivas, Mark (7 May 1967). "Frantic Cannes: Film Festival Comes Unwound". Los Angeles Times. Calendar, p. 1, 14. The film went on to enjoy critical success in Ireland and abroad. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times included the film on his 1967 "Top Ten List," declaring it "A faithful and brilliant screen translation of Joyce's classic novel, done with taste, imagination and cinema artistry." The film was nominated for Best English-Language Foreign Film at the 25th Golden Globe Awards,Golden Globes. "Ulysses." Accessed March 17, 2025. https://goldenglobes.com/film/ulysses/. and Best Screenplay at the 40th Academy Awards."1967 Academy Award Nominations & Winners," And the Oscar Goes To..., accessed March 17, 2025, https://www.atogt.com/askoscar/nominations-by-year.php?yr=40.
Molloy next appeared as Slim in J. Lee Thompson's controversial 1970 drama film Country Dance. That same year he appeared opposite Milo O'Shea and Dearbhla Molloy in Daniel Haller's comedy film Paddy. The following year Molloy appeared as Mickster in Academy Award-winning director Ralph Nelson's 1971 British Eastmancolor children's film, Flight of the Doves.
In 1974 Molloy appeared as Mr. Lusty in Stanley Long's British sex comedy On the Game. In 1978 he appeared alongside Judi Dench and Jeremy Irons in Harold Pinter's Langrishe, Go Down, adapted from the Aidan Higgins' novel of the same name for BBC Television.Metacritic. "Langrishe Go Down." Metacritic – Movie Reviews, accessed November 6, 2025. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/langrishe-go-down/ . Molloy's final film role would come more than a decade later in 1989 when he starred as Padric Reilly in William Farley's Of Men and Angels. The film tells the story of three strong-willed individuals who struggle for control of their own dreams and each other's. Of Men and Angels premiered in competition at the 1989 Sundance Film Festival.American Film Institute. AFI Catalog of Feature Films – "Of Men and Angels." Accessed November 6 2025. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/23185 . According to his obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle, Molloy appeared in a total of 60 films across the duration of his career.
In addition to his work in film, Molloy had a prolific career on television in Ireland, England, and the United States. From 1964 to 1968 he starred as Oliver Feeney in RTÉ's Tolka Row, Ireland's first original primetime drama. The series ran for five seasons, totaling 155 episodes. Molloy's then wife Yvonne would serve as a writer and director on the series, while his real-life daughter Honor Molloy would appear as his on-screen daughter, Noleen Feeney.
After thr un of Tolka Row, Molloy would go on to make regular guest appearances on numerous primetime series, including Me Mammy (1969), Z-Cars (1971), Play for Today (1972–1979), The Untouchables (1993), and Heartbeat (1999), among numerous others. By the end of his life, Molloy had become a well-known and regarded figure in both Irish and British television.
Personal life
Molloy died on September 2nd, 1999 in San Francisco, California, after a prolonged stay in a psychiatric hospital.
Acting credits Film (selected) Year Title Role Notes1960The CriminalSnipeTurner Classic Movies. "John Molloy." TCM Movie Database, accessed November 5, 2025. .1967Ulysses Corny Kelleher1970Country DanceSlimPaddyWatchbox1971 Flight of the DovesMickser1974On the GameMr. Lusty1977The Purple TaxiJack Lynch1978Langrishe, Go Down1st man on the bus1989Of Men and Angels Padric Reilly
Television (selected) Year Title Role Notes1964–1968Tolka RowOliver FeeneyLead Role: 155 episodes 1969Me MammyGuineyEpisode: "The Day Verilia Went to Pieces"1971The SinnersGeorge WilliamsonEpisode: "The Highwayman and the Saint"Z-CarsMicky DoyleEpisode: "Hold Up: Part 1"1972Play for Today1st ccommittee memberEpisode: "Carson Country"Tales from the Lazy AcreDrainpipeEpisode: "The Pick-Pocketer"1973Once Upon a TimePeadar Television film1975John Molloy's DublinSelf/variousTelevision filmThursday Play DateLong JohnEpisode: "Irish Revel"Oh Mistress MineCaretakerTelevision film1979Play for TodayCatholic ManEpisode: "Katie: The Year of a Child"1980Juno and the Paycock Needle NugentBBC Television 1993The UntouchablesGuest starEpisode: "Railroaded"1999HeartbeatDerek PrestonEpisode: "Full Circle"
Stage (selected) Year Title Role Playwright VenueRef.1955 The Masquerade of Henry IV Valet Luigi Pirandello & Micheál Mac Liammóir Gate TheatreIrish Theatre Institute. 2025. "John Molloy (1929–1999)." Playography Ireland. Accessed November 5, 2025. https://irishplayography.com/person/john-molloy.1958 Roger Casement Capt. Von Haughwitz Alfred Noyes & Roger McHugh Theatre Royal Waterford1958 Roger Casement Capt. Von Haughwitz Alfred Noyes & Roger McHugh Gaiety Theatre, Dublin1961 The Third Day Ned Doyle John Kelly Gate Theatre1961 The Dallers Joseph Paddy Cullen Gate Theatre1961 Glory Be! John Fergus Linehan Gate Theatre1963 Once Upon Eternity Various William Finnan Royal Irish Academy of Music1963–1964 Double Dublin Various John Molloy Helen Hayes Theater, Broadway1965 The Horse Dealer Patablack Walsh John Molloy Gate Theatre1969 The Mullingar Recruits The Constable/Intruder George Farquhar & Dominic Roche Dublin Theatre Festival1970 Hadrian VII Cardinals Peter Luke Abbey TheatreAbbey Theatre. "Molloy, John." Abbey Archives – Abbey Theatre, accessed November 5, 2025. https://www.abbeytheatre.ie/archives/person_detail/12169/