Cyril Cusack; Patriarch of Irish Acting Dynasty

Cyril Cusack, widely regarded as Ireland’s finest actor, died Thursday at his London home after a long illness, his family said.

Cusack, 82, was the patriarch of an acting dynasty, passing his talent to his four daughters, Sinead, Sorcha, Niamh and Catherine.

In a long career, beginning when he was 8, Cusack appeared in a variety of films including “The Day of the Jackal,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Waltz of the Toreadors,” “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold” and, more recently, “My Left Foot” and “Little Dorrit.” He was also a poet whose first collection was published in 1928.

Irish Prime Minister Albert Reynolds, a former show business impresario, led tributes to Cusack in the Irish Parliament, calling him “a very good friend” with “a worldwide reputation.”

Born in Durban, South Africa, Cusack was the son of an Irish father, James Cusack, a mounted policeman in Natal. His mother, Alice Cole, was an English Cockney chorus girl.

At the age of 6, Cyril moved to Ireland with his mother, where she met actor Brefni O’Rourke. They set up their own theatrical company, putting on melodramas and pantomimes across the country.

Cusack made his stage debut at 7 and appeared in his first film, “Knocknagow,” a year later.

Cusack, who spoke fluent Gaelic, earned a law degree at University College, Dublin, but decided on a career in acting.

In 1932, he joined the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, appearing in 65 plays in 13 years. Occasional tours with plays in Britain helped establish his reputation.

In 1945, he formed his own touring company and in the 1950s through 1970s he had regular film roles in Hollywood. His American pictures included “Soldiers Three,” “The Secret of Convict Lake” and “Harold and Maude.” In 1963, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and the following year the Old Vic.

His work won critical acclaim with 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 Theater and Dublin’s Gate Theater in 1990, the first time he had worked with all three of them.

Sinead is married to film star Jeremy Irons and Sorcha’s husband is Shakespearean actor Nigel Cook. The acting dynasty is being continued by Sinead’s son, Sam Irons, who recently made his movie debut.