Highest rated as cast or director
Biography
Colm J. Meaney (born May 30, 1953) is an acclaimed Irish actor. Born in Dublin, Meaney discovered his passion for acting in his youth and later honed his craft at the Abbey Theatre School before joining the National Theatre of Ireland. He achieved global recognition for his iconic portrayal of Chief Miles O'Brien within the Star Trek franchise, seamlessly transitioning the character from Star Trek: The Next Generation to a leading role on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine across a staggering 225 total episodes. Beyond science fiction, Meaney is deeply revered for starring as the quintessential working-class father in all three film adaptations of Roddy Doyle’s beloved Barrytown Trilogy: The Commitments, The Snapper (which earned him a Golden Globe nomination), and The Van. A highly versatile character actor, his prolific Hollywood filmography includes memorable roles in major blockbusters such as Die Hard 2, The Last of the Mohicans, Con Air, and Layer Cake. On the small screen, he delivered powerhouse performances as the ruthless railroad tycoon Thomas C. Durant in AMC's Western series Hell on Wheels and the crime boss Finn Wallace in Gangs of London. An accomplished stage veteran of Broadway and the West End, Meaney was honored with the prestigious Irish Film & Television Academy’s (IFTA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. He continues to remain a vibrant force in the industry, starring in high-profile projects such as the Netflix feature adaptation Remarkably Bright Creatures and the crime drama series The Yank, which reunited him on screen with fellow Star Trek alumnus Kate Mulgrew.
Acted in 138
2020s
- 2026
The Galway Bay Murders
TV
- 2025
Re-Creation
Ian Bailey
The Legend of the Happy Worker
Movie
Safe Harbor
Kieran Walsh · 8 episodes
- 2024
- 2023
The Santa Stories
The No Man/ Bill · 1 episode
There's Always Hope
Jonathan
- 2022
Save the Cinema
Martyn
Confession
Father Peter
- 2021
Fúria
TV
The Monkey
MacDonell
- 2020
The Singapore Grip
Major Brendan Archer · 6 episodes
2010s
- 2019
The Last Right
Detective Donall Crowley
- 2018
National Theatre Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Big Daddy
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
A Dangerous Arrangement
Leslie
- 2014
Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...
Miles O'Brien
The Driver
The Horse · 3 episodes
The Yank
Fintan McGuire
- 2013
A Belfast Story
Detective
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds
Chief Miles O'Brien (archive footage)
- 2012
- 2011
The Perfect Stranger
Mark O'Reilly
The Flight of the Swan
Giannopoulos
The Hot Potato
Harry
- 2010
Alleged
H.L. Mencken
Parked
Fred Daly
2000s
- 2009
Alice
King of Hearts · 2 episodes
The Race
Frank Kensay
ZOS: Zone of Separation
George Titac · 8 episodes
- 2008
Unnatural Causes
Trevor Jones
- 2007
Kings
Joe Mullan
- 2006
Covert One: The Hades Factor
Peter Howell · 2 episodes
- 2005
Turning Green
Tom
- 2004
Battle of the Brave
Benjamin Franklin
The Murdoch Mysteries: Poor Tom Is Cold
Inspector Brackenreid
The Murdoch Mysteries: Except the Dying
Inspector Brackenreid
The Murdoch Mysteries
Inspector Brackenreid · 3 episodes
Bad Apple
Gibbons
- 2003
The Boys & Girl from County Clare
Jimmy
Intermission
Jerry Lynch
- 2002
King of Texas
Mr. Tumlinson
How Harry Became a Tree
Harry
Random Passage
Thomas Hutchings
Random Passage
TV
Backflash
Gin O'Malley
- 2001
1990s
- 1999
Chapter Zero
Frank Lazaras
This Is My Father
Seamus
- 1998
Money Kings
Al Sheehan
- 1997
- 1996
The Last of the High Kings
Jim Davern
The Van
Larry
- 1995
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The Way of the Warrior
Miles O'Brien
- 1994
War of the Buttons
Geronimo's Dad
- 1993
The Snapper
Dessie Curley
- 1992
Into the West
Barreller
- 1991
- 1990
Come See the Paradise
Gerry McGurn
1980s
- 1989
Perfect Witness
Meagher
- 1987
- 1986
- 1985
- 1984
- 1982
Easter 2016
Kevin Murphy
- 1981
Nailed
Younger Protestant
1970s
- 1978
No release date
The Panic
J. Pierpont Morgan
Produced 1
2020s
- 2022
Other crew 1
2000s
- 2005
Jack Charlton: The Irish Years
Presenter
Appearances12
2020s
- 2021
Back to Barrytown
Self / Narrator · 3 episodes
2010s
- 2018
- 2016
The Cowboy
Self · 2 episodes
- 2015
I Am Your Father
Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2011
Muide Éire
Self
2000s
- 2005
Jack Charlton: The Irish Years
Self
- 2003
Deep Space Nine: Ending an Era
Self
1990s
- 1996
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Self
- 1995
The New Explorers: The Science of Star Trek
Self
- 1994
Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Self
- 1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes
Himself
1960s
- 1962
