{{Short description|Irish actor}} {{Use Irish English|date=April 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Enda Oates | image = | imagesize = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1962}}<!-- {{Birth date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | birth_place = County Roscommon, Ireland | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} Death date then birth --> | death_place = | occupation = Stage, film, radio and television actor | years_active = 1983–present | spouse = Louise Oates}}
'''Enda Oates''' (born 1962), occasionally credited as '''Enda Oats''', is an Irish stage, film, and television actor. He has received attention for his stagework, but is best known to Irish television audiences as the Reverend George Black in the long-running series ''Glenroe'' for RTÉ, and as Barreller Casey in the sitcom ''Upwardly Mobile''.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/>
==Background== Oates was born in County Roscommon in 1962<ref name="roscommonherald2"/> and moved to Dublin in 1981 where he currently resides. He studied at Roscommon CBS, and earned a Leaving Certificate in 1980.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/> The following year he attended Athlone Regional Technical College before becoming a civil servant for five years before becoming a thespian.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/> His wife is named Louise and the couple have one son.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/> Oates is also a noted horse enthusiast and has appeared on several television programmes about horses.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/>
==Career==
===Film and television=== Referred to as one of "Ireland’s foremost acting talents" by the ''Roscommon Herald'', Oates' career has spanned over twenty years onstage, in radio, television and film.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/> Although he made a 1984 appearance in ''Remington Steele'', he turned professional in 1986 after sharing the ''Evening Herald'' "Newcomer of the Year Award", along with Aidan Gillen (''The Wire''). The official opening of the Strokestown International Poetry Festival was performed by Oates.<ref name="emigrant1"/>
In 1989, his theatrical connections with actor/producer John Lynch saw him awarded the part of the Rev. George Black in the series ''Glenroe''.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/> Oates played Rev. George from 1989 to 1997 and was the role which made him widely recognizable to the general Irish public.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/> In 1990, he had a minor role in the Pat O'Connor-directed film ''Fools of Fortune'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcd.ie/irishfilm/print.php?search=mainname&q=conghaile&exactMatch=1&extraSearch=|title=Fools of Fortune|publisher=Irish Film and Television Research|accessdate=12 July 2010}}</ref> about a Protestant family caught up in a conflict between Irish republicans and the British Army during the Troubles.
In 1994, Oates played the role of "The Garda" opposite Albert Finney and Michael Gambon in ''A Man of No Importance'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1809118199 |title=Enda Oates |publisher=Movies Yahoo |accessdate=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622005626/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1809118199 |archive-date=22 June 2011 }}</ref> a film which dealt with themes of homosexuality. Between 1995 and 1998 he played Barreller Casey in the Irish sitcom series ''Upwardly Mobile''.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/> In 1998 he had a small role the film ''St. Ives'' (televised in the UK as All for Love), based on the unfinished Robert Louis Stevenson novel. Oates also appeared in an episode of ''The Ambassador'' that same year.
In 2000, Oates starred in three episodes of ''Trí Scéal'' and played "Brian" in ''Ordinary Decent Criminal''. Directed by Thaddeus O'Sullivan, the film is loosely based on the story of Martin Cahill, a famous Irish crime boss and featured Oates; the cast included Kevin Spacey, Helen Baxendale and Colin Farrell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/468 |title=Ordinary Decent Criminal |publisher=British Film Institute |accessdate=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908063939/http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/468 |archive-date= 8 September 2011 }}</ref>
In 2000, Oates had a small role in ''An Everlasting Piece'', a comedic film set in 1980s Northern Ireland, also with a subplot about the Troubles. In 2003, Oates had a minor role in the Joel Schumacher film, ''Veronica Guerin'', about Irish journalist Veronica Guerin, murdered in 1996, which starred Cate Blanchett in the title role.
===Theatrical work and recognition===
Enda won a Best Male Performance Irish Film and Television Award (IFTA) in 2015 for his Role as Pete in RTE's Television Drama Fair City. Other nominees in the category included Brendan O Carroll for Mrs Browns Boys and fellow Roscommon colleague Chris O Dowd for Moone Boy.<ref name="roscommonherald2" />
In 1988, Oates appeared at the Gate Theatre in the Seán O'Casey play ''Juno and the Paycock'', playing a furniture removal man.<ref>{{cite book|title=Juno and the Paycock|author1=O'Casey, Sean |author2=Moffatt, Sean|publisher=Macmillan Education|year=1988|isbn=0-333-46585-7}}</ref><ref name="JP">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4511|title=Juno and the Paycock|publisher=Internet Broadway Database|accessdate=12 July 2010}}</ref> It was also performed at the John Golden Theatre on Broadway between 21 June–2 July 1988.<ref name="JP"/> Then in 1989, Oates appeared in the play ''Big Maggie'' at the Abbey Theatre, performed between 25 July–26 September 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/ie/archives/production_detail/690|title=Big Maggie 1989 (Abbey)|publisher=Abbey Theatre|accessdate=12 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716112052/http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/ie/archives/production_detail/690|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1991 he appeared in a production of ''Plough and the Stars'' in London.<ref name="roscommonherald2"/>."<ref name="irishindependent4"/>
Reporting on Oates' performance in Alan Stanford's production of ''MacBeth'' in 2006, the ''Irish Times'' critic opined that Oates' work as MacDuff was "thoroughly impressive".<ref name="irishtimes3"/> Also in 2006, the production of ''Little Green Men'' reports that "Well known Irish actor Enda Oates who takes one of the lead roles as Michael Greene in the new play said that he was 'hooked' on the idea after the success of the first production."<ref name="roscommonherald"/> In their review of Alan Stanford's 2007 production of the Brian Friel play ''Philadelphia, Here I Come!'', The ''Irish Independent'' wrote "Among the theatrical high points is the poignant visit and awkward embrace of Gar from old schoolteacher, Master Boyle (Enda Oates)..."<ref name="irishindependent5"/>
In 2008, Oates played Shylock in the ''Merchant of Venice'' in the Helix Theatre. The ''Irish Times''' review of the 2008 production of ''The Merchant of Venice'' offered, "...That leaves Shylock with Enda Oates putting his individual stamp on him. He shrugs aside servility to present a strong character in revolt against a lifetime..."<ref name="irishtimes2"/> As reported in ''Roscommon Herald'', "An Irish Times theatre critic described his performance as riveting and one which was maintained to the end."<ref name="roscommonherald2"/>
Of his work in Zinnie Harris's ''Further than the Furthest Thing'' (2008), Sophie Gorman of ''The Irish Independent'' wrote, "Enda Oates as the laconic island patriarch radiates suppressed force of character".<ref name="irishindependent3"/>
''Donegal News'' reported Alan Stanford producing ''Macbeth'' again in 2008, with "a large cast of sixteen, some of whom are returning to their original parts, most notably Enda Oates, as MacDuff..."<ref name="donegalnews1"/> ''The Irish Independent'', while noting the violence of gore inherent in the Shakespeare play, found "the production is nonetheless strangely bloodless and passionless" due to a "very odd interpretation of the central role by [thespian] David Shannon". Even with its flaws, it was noted that Oates was "a powerful Macduff".<ref name="irishindependent6"/>
==Theatre highlights== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * ''Studs'' (Paul Mercier) 1986 * 1987- Jacques Brel is ... (Noel Pearson) 1987 * ''Juno and the Paycock'' 1988 * ''Big Maggie'' (Abbey Theatre) 1989 * ''Plough and the Stars'' (Young Vic) 1991 * ''The Field'' (Gaiety Theatre) 1994 * ''Uncle Vanya'' (as Astrov) Field Day, Tricycle London, 1995 * ''True Believers'' (Tricycle Irish Tour) Fishamble 1999<ref name="sundaytelegraph1"/> * ''Gulliver’s Travels'' – Gulliver (Ireland and Wales) 2001 * ''En Suite'', 2002<ref name="rte1"/> * ''The Chastitute'', 2003 * ''Pilgrims in the Park'', 2004<ref name="irishindependent4"/><ref name="rte2"/> * ''The Tempest'' (as Prospero) Corcadorca Theatre Co 2005 * ''The Ha’penny Bridge'', The Point Theatre Dublin, 2005 * ''Little Green Men'', 2006<ref name="roscommonherald"/> * ''Macbeth'' – Macduff – Second Age Theatre Company 2006/2007/2008<ref name="donegalnews1"/><ref name="irishindependent6"/><ref name="irishindependent2"/> * ''Philadelphia, Here I Come!'' Second Age Theatre Company 2007<ref name="irishindependent5"/><ref name="irishtimes1"/> * ''The Merchant of Venice'' 2008<ref name="roscommonherald2"/><ref name="irishtimes2"/> * ''Further Than the Furthest Thing'' 2008<ref name="irishindependent3"/> * ''The Dead School'' 2008<ref name="irishindependent1"/> {{div col end}}
==Partial filmography==
===Television=== {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} * ''Remington Steele'' (1 episode, 1984) * ''City Limits'' (1986) * ''Errors and Omissions'' (1987) * ''Small World'' (1 episode, 1987) * ''Glenroe'' (1989–1997) * ''Upwardly Mobile'' (1995–1998) * ''The Ambassador'' (1 episode, 1998) * ''Trí Scéal'' (3 episodes, 2000) {{col-break}} * ''Ballykissangel'' (1 episode, 2001) * ''Bachelors Walk'' (2001-2003) * ''Showbands'' (2005) * ''Aifric'' (1 episode, 2006) * ''The Stardust'' (2006) (Mini-series) * ''Killinaskully'' (1 episode, 2007) * ''The Clinic'' (2 episodes, 2005–2008) * ''Val Falvey TD'' (2008)<ref name="irishtimes4"/> * ''Fair City'' * ''The Bailout'' (2017) {{col-end}}
===Film=== {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} * ''Fools of Fortune'' (1990) * ''A Man of No Importance'' (1994) * ''Crossmaheart'' (1998) * ''St. Ives'' (1998) * ''Ordinary Decent Criminal'' (2000) * ''An Everlasting Piece'' (2000) * ''Chaos'' (2002) (I) {{col-break}} * ''Veronica Guerin'' (2003) * ''The Return of Gelert'' (2003) * ''The Longest Ditch'' (An Diog is Faide) (2004) * ''Rógairí'' (2005) * ''Eden'' (2008)<ref name="iftn1"/> {{col-end}}
==See also== * List of longest-serving soap opera actors#Ireland
==References== <references>
<ref name="roscommonherald">{{cite news|url=http://www.roscommonherald.ie/news/story/?trs=eyidqley|title=Little Green Men' launched in Roscommon|last=O' Shea|first=Mairead|date=8 November 2006|work=Roscommon Herald|publisher=roscommonherald.ie|accessdate=12 July 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="roscommonherald2">{{cite news|url=http://archives.tcm.ie/roscommonherald/2009/01/07/story8758.asp |title=Enda Oates looks back on a lifetime in the limelight |date=7 January 2009 |work=Roscommon Herald |publisher=archives.tcm.ie |accessdate=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714050941/http://archives.tcm.ie/roscommonherald/2009/01/07/story8758.asp |archive-date=14 July 2010 }}</ref>
<ref name="donegalnews1">{{cite news|url=http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/DN/free/339925750656910.php |title=Revenge, betrayal and murder at An Grianán |last=Feeny |first=Seán P. |date=18 January 2008 |work=Donegal News |publisher=nwipp-newspapers.com |accessdate=7 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616183911/http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/DN/free/339925750656910.php |archive-date=16 June 2008 }}</ref>
<ref name="emigrant1">{{cite news|url=http://www.emigrant.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27831&Itemid=32 |title=Poetry and drama in Strokestown |date=28 April 2003 |work=The Irish Emigrant |publisher=emigrant.ie |accessdate=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227010526/http://www.emigrant.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27831&Itemid=32 |archive-date=27 February 2012 }}</ref>
<ref name="iftn1">{{cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4281242&sr=1&only=1&hl=cine&tpl=archnews|title=Recks 'Eden' Opens in Lighthouse Cinema|date=30 May 2008|work=IFTN|publisher=iftn.ie|accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishindependent3">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/arts/panorama-of-emotions-in-engrossing-island-thriller-1463202.html|title=Panorama of emotions in engrossing island thriller|last=Gorman|first=Sophie|date=26 August 2008|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishindependent5">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/a-second-coming-for---signature-friel-play-1200144.html|title=A second coming for signature Friel play|last=Guidera|first=Anita|date=20 October 2007|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishindependent6">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/incoming/power-play-falls-a-bit-flat-1280122.html|title=Power play falls a bit flat|last=O'Kelly|first=Emer|date=3 February 2008|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishindependent4">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/arts/pope-soap-is-a-drama-too-far-486592.html|title=Pope soap is a drama too far|last=O'Kelly|first=Emer|date=28 November 2004|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="sundaytelegraph1">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-19129506.html|title=Mt Rushmore falls in love and corresponds a lot Theatre|last=Gross|first=John|date=11 July 1999|work=The Sunday Telegraph|accessdate=12 July 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2016}}</ref>
<ref name="rte1">{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2002/0322/ensuite.html |title=review: ''Pilgrims in the Park'' |last=McMahon |first=James |date=25 November 2004 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |accessdate=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717034839/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2002/0322/ensuite.html |archive-date=17 July 2010 }}</ref>
<ref name="rte2">{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2002/0322/ensuite.html |title=review: ''En Suite'' |last=Cochrane |first=Stephen |date=22 March 2002 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |accessdate=12 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717034839/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2002/0322/ensuite.html |archive-date=17 July 2010 }}</ref>
<ref name="irishindependent2">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/incoming/power-play-falls-a-bit-flat-1280122.html|title=Power play falls a bit flat|last=O'Kelly|first=Emer|date=3 February 2008|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishindependent1">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/incoming/haunting-lesson-of-the-dead-school-1530147.html|title=Haunting lesson of 'The Dead School'|last=O'Kelly|first=Emer|date=9 November 2008|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishtimes4">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/1128/1224259594720.html|title=From Ted to TD |last=O'Kelly|first=Emer|date=28 November 2009|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishtimes3">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/migration/the-art-of-fleshing-out-lives-of-ordinary-folk-126424.html|title=The art of fleshing out lives of ordinary folk|last=O'Kelly|first=Emer|date= 5 February 2006|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishtimes2">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2008/1108/1225925567951.html|title=review: ''The Merchant of Venice''|date=11 November 2008|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="irishtimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/0317/1224266427449.html|title=Philadelphia, Here I Come!|last=Crawley|first=Peter|date=17 March 2010|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=7 July 2010}}</ref>
</references>
==External links== * {{IMDb name|id=0643085|name=Enda Oates}}
{{Fair City}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oates, Enda}} Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:Irish male film actors Category:Irish male soap opera actors Category:Irish male stage actors Category:Irish male television actors Category:Actors from County Roscommon Category:Date of birth missing (living people) Category:20th-century Irish male actors Category:21st-century Irish male actors