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A long way from Tipperary! The rise and rise of Kerry Condon
Actress Kerry Condon has certainly come a very long way from her hometown of Tipperary.
A native of Thurles, Kerry's big screen career has gone into literal and metaphorical overdrive with her standout performance in Brad Pitt's new race car flick F1.
While Hollywood hottie Brad may be in the driving seat in the film, which is proving a smash hit with movie goers, and Kerry's standout performance has helped steer the movie into pole position. Kerry Condon. Pic:F1 sees Kerry take on the role of Kate McKenna, a technical director on the Formula 1 race team, that sees Pitt come out of retirement to mentor a fledgling driver.
Condon collaborated with Northern Irish F1 analyst Bernie Collins to ensure a thorough, authentic performance.
And while Kerry is garnering stellar reviews for her role in the Hollywood film, her success is by no means overnight. Kerry Condon at the IFTA Awards 2024 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Pic: Brian McEvoy
In fact, Kerry's love of acting began on her family farm in Thurles, which took her to the Royal Shakespearean Theatre and from there on to Hollywood.
Kerry's love for acting first emerged whilst working alongside her father on the family farm in Thurles, surrounded by animals and open fields. Kerry's imagination ran rampant.
It was amidst this backdrop that her passion for performance was nurtured and led her to the Dublin Theatre Arts School. Kerry Condon. Pic:Then, at just 16, Kerry landed her first role in Alan Parker's Angela's Ashes, marking the start of a glittering career.
Her early television appearances saw her land roles in the BBC series Ballykissangel, but it was theatre that saw her true talents shine bright.
Her groundbreaking role came in 2001 when she took on the part of Ophelia, making her the youngest actress to tackle this classic with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
This, coupled with her stage work in Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore, marked Kerry out for true stardom.
Through the years, Kerry Condon has played a diversity of different roles that run the gamut of genres.
Her filmography charts her rise from stage to small screen to global movie theatres.
In 2003, Kerry's first big screen break saw her delve into the realm of historical fiction when she played the part of Kate Kelly, the outlaw sister of Ned Kelly, alongside Heath Ledger, in the Hollywood-produced movie Ned Kelly.
Her next big part came in 2005 when she starred in the HBO/BBC series Rom, taking on the supporting character Octavia of the Julii.
And small screen success was to continue with aplomb when she was cast in the Breaking Bad spin-off seems Better Call Saul, where she appeared for seven seasons.
Her next big screen standout role was to come in the smash hit Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri which saw her once again work with acclaimed director Martin McDonagh.
But it was in 2022 that Condon's true talents were globally recognised when she was nominated for an Oscar for her stellar performance in The Banshees of Inisherinwhere she appeared alongside Colin Farrell.
While she didn't win the Oscar, Kerry did earn a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.
But while her career is firmly on show in her personal life, Condon is far more low-key.
But her love of animals has stayed with her from her childhood farm in Thurles as she runs an animal sanctuary in her adopted home of Washington State.
