Biography
John Kavanagh (born 1946, Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish character actor who was a member of the Abbey Theatre company for ten years (1967–1977) before going freelance. He has worked in over 20 films and numerous TV series since 1970. His film credits include Braveheart (1995), The Butcher Boy (1997), Dancing at Lughnasa (1998), Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), and The Last Duel (2021). On television he is best known for playing The Seer / Pope Leo IV in Vikings (2013–2020) and Vikings: Valhalla (2022–2024), and Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio in The Tudors (2007–2008). He received a Drama Desk Award nomination (1989) for Juno and the Paycock. He is also a singer, having played the lead in the Irish stage production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris in the 1970s. No other personal details are publicly confirmed.
Acted in 71
2020s
- 2026
One Sweet Hour
Tommy
- 2024
- 2022
Peacock
Georgia's Boss · 1 episode
- 2021
2010s
- 2019
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Vikings: Athelstan's Journal
The Seer (archive footage), The Seer · 6 episodes
- 2014
Horse
Junior
- 2013
The Stag
Fionan and Little Kevin's Dad
- 2012
- 2010
The Runway
Movie
2000s
- 2009
Father & Son
John O'Connor · 4 episodes
- 2007
- 2006
- 2004
The Halo Effect
Stan
- 2003
Mystics
Gerry the Barman
- 2002
Sinners
Frank
Puckoon
Haggerty
- 2001
Rebel Heart
Eugene O'Brien · 4 episodes
1990s
- 1999
Vicious Circle
Charlie Rice
- 1998
Dancing at Lughnasa
Father Carlin
The Butcher Boy
Dr. Boyd
- 1997
- 1996
Some Mother's Son
Cardinal
Samuel Beckett: As the Story Was Told
Voice
- 1995
Shadow of a Gunman
Adolphus Grigson
Sharpe's Sword
Father Patrick Curtis
Circle of Friends
Brian Mahon
- 1994
- 1993
Love Lies Bleeding
Sean Kerrigan
Bad Company
Patrick Molloy
- 1992
Into the West
Hartnett
- 1991
Children of the North
Seamus Reilly
Arise and Go Now
Father Dade
Events at Drimaghleen
Superintendent O'Kelly
- 1990
August Saturday
Tom Crosbie
Who Bombed Birmingham?
Z
1980s
- 1988
Joyriders
Manager
The Storyteller: A Story Short
Beggar
- 1987
Bellman and True
Donkey
- 1986
The Fantasist
Robert Foxley
- 1985
The Price
Kearney
The Price
Kearney · 6 episodes
- 1984
Children in the Crossfire
Movie
Cal
Skeffington
- 1983
The Country Girls
James
- 1982
The Ballroom of Romance
Bowser Egan
1970s
- 1971
A Week in the Life of Martin Cluxton
Priest
- 1970
No release date
Weeks
Jim
The Great Wide Open
Grandad
Appearances1
2010s
- 2017
Deposits
Narrator (voice)