Chris O'Dowd
The lovably awkward Irish everyman whose comic warmth turned a tech support nerd into a globally beloved television character.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Irish actor and comedian·Birthday: October 9·Generation X
Biography
Chris O'Dowd hails from Boyle, County Roscommon, where his early flair for performance was more likely to be seen in a school play than on a London stage. After studying politics at University College Dublin, he pivoted to drama at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His big break came as the sweetly hapless Roy in the cult British sitcom 'The IT Crowd,' where his masterful timing and gift for physical comedy made him a standout. Hollywood noticed, and a scene-stealing role as the earnest policeman in 'Bridesmaids' introduced him to an international audience. He has since deftly balanced blockbuster films with deeply personal projects, like creating and starring in the semi-autobiographical 'Moone Boy,' a wistful comedy about growing up in 1980s Ireland. His career is a testament to the power of specific, rooted humor that travels well, making him one of Ireland's most successful comic exports.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Chris was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Created, wrote, and starred in the semi-autobiographical TV series 'Moone Boy,' which won an International Emmy.
- Received critical acclaim for his role as Officer Rhodes in the hit comedy film 'Bridesmaids.'
- Won an AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for the Australian musical drama 'The Sapphires.'
- Starred as Roy Trenneman in all four series of the influential sitcom 'The IT Crowd.'
Did You Know?
He worked as a presenter on Irish television network TG4 early in his career.
He is a passionate supporter of the football club Manchester United.
He and his wife, writer Dawn O'Porter, live between London and Los Angeles.
He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in 'Of Mice and Men' on Broadway.
“I think the trick is to just not take it too seriously. It's only acting.”
