Widely regarded as one of Ireland’s finest actors, Cyril Cusack was born in Durban, South Africa, on November 26, 1910. He was the son of an Irish father, James Cusack, a mounted policeman in Natal Province. His mother, Alice Cole, was an English Cockney chorus girl.
Cyril Cusack. Stage debut at seven.
When he was six, Cyril moved to Ireland with his mother, where she met an actor, Brefni O’Rourke. They set up their own theatrical company, putting on melodramas and pantomimes across the country.
Mr. Cusack made his stage debut at the age of seven, and in later years described his family’s life on the road as “a glorious adventure.” He said he went to almost every school in Ireland.
He got a law degree at University College, Dublin, but decided on a career in acting.
In 1932, he joined the Abbey Theatre, appearing in 65 plays in 13 years. Occasional tours with plays in Britain helped establish his reputation
He formed his own touring company in 1945, and in the 1950s had regular film roles in Hollywood. In 1963, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Old Vic the following year.
In a long career, Mr. Cusack appeared in a wide variety of films including “Odd Man Out” (1947), “Waltz of the Toreadors” (1962), “Fahrenheit 451″ (1966), “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold” (1966), “The Taming of the Shrew” (1967), “The Day of the Jackal” (1973), “True Confessions” (1981), “Little Dorrit” (1987) and “My Left Foot” (1989). He was also a poet and published his first collection in 1928.
His work won critical acclaim and awards in the United States, Paris, two doctorates from Irish universities and an award for achievements by Irish people in Britain.
Sinead, Sorcha and Niamh - his daughters by his first marriage - appeared with him in “The Three Sisters” at London’s Royal Court Theatre and Dublin’s Gate in 1990, the first time he had worked with all three.
Sinead is married to the film actor Jeremy Irons and Sorcha’s husband is the Shakespearean actor Nigel Cook.
Mr. Cusack, who had homes in London and Dublin, died on October 7, 1993, at his London home. He was 82. He was survived by his second wife, Mary, the mother of his youngest daughter, Catherine. His first wife, also Mary, who died in the 1970s, was the mother of their sons, Paul and Padraig, as well as their three daughters. His family said at the time of his death that he had been ill for a long time with motor neuron disease.