---
name: "Chris O'Dowd"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/chris-odowd"
fi1m_id: "chris-odowd"
imdb_id: "nm1483369"
tmdb_id: 40477
wikidata_id: "Q933129"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "9 October 1979"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-07T17:00:56.667800+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Chris O'Dowd

## Identity

Chris O'Dowd

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/chris-odowd
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** chris-odowd
- **IMDb ID:** nm1483369
- **TMDB ID:** 40477
- **Wikidata ID:** Q933129
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_O%27Dowd, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q933129, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1483369/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/40477

Actor. Born 9 October 1979 in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 9 October 1979, Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland
- **Active:** 2004–present
- **Also known as:** Christopher O'Dowd
- **Frequently works with:** [Barry Mendel](https://film.one/person/barry-mendel.md), [Rose Byrne](https://film.one/person/rose-byrne.md)
- **BAFTA Film Awards:** 1 BAFTA (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 80 (2), 2010s 72 (10), 2020s 76 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 70 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 7, Drama 7, Family 3, Fantasy 2, Romance 2, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,532m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_O%27Dowd, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q933129, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1483369/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/40477

## Coming up

- *Artificial* (2026-12-25)
- *On the Edge* (2027-05-06), as (voice)

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Calvary*](https://film.one/film/calvary.md) (81), [*The Sheep Detectives*](https://film.one/film/the-sheep-detectives.md) (76)
- **Disney+:** [*Bridesmaids*](https://film.one/film/bridesmaids.md) (82)
- **Peacock:** [*Moone Boy*](https://film.one/tv/moone-boy.md) (81)
- **BritBox:** [*The IT Crowd*](https://film.one/tv/the-it-crowd.md) (76)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Juliet, Naked*](https://film.one/film/juliet-naked.md) (70)
- **Apple TV:** [*Molly's Game*](https://film.one/film/mollys-game.md) (70)
- **AMC+:** [*The Crimson Petal and the White*](https://film.one/tv/the-crimson-petal-and-the-white.md) (68)
- **Netflix:** [*Loving Vincent*](https://film.one/film/loving-vincent.md) (65)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Chris O'Dowd

> Chris O'Dowd is a fine ensemble comedian who can make an affable supporting part worth noticing without crowding the lead. We like him most when that easy manner has something specific to do; the familiar man-child parts can grow repetitive.

In *Bridesmaids* (2011), Chris O'Dowd plays Rhodes without trying to compete with the bigger comic performances around him. He has the height and the distinctive Irish accent to be noticed; the humour can stay low-key. We warmed to his affable love interest because his timing lets the niceness be funny without making it foolish. He is particularly useful in an ensemble that has no shortage of people misbehaving.

*The IT Crowd* (2006–2010) established him as Roy Trenneman and made the slacker persona familiar. The move into Hollywood with *Bridesmaids* brought that comic ease to a different kind of ensemble. With *Moone Boy* (2012–2015), which he created, wrote and starred in, he drew on small-town Irish childhood for his own material. The familiar overgrown-boy roles remain a limitation, though, and *This Is 40* (2012) belongs to that pattern.

Paul Feig uses him well in *Bridesmaids*, within an ensemble led by Kristen Wiig's painfully funny performance. Yet our reservation about the film sits close to O'Dowd's contribution: the romance slows things down, and several scenes run too long. His chemistry helps, but it cannot make that part of the story as compelling as the friendships. It is still a warm, rude comedy we readily recommend.

A distinctive voice is useful in *Loving Vincent* (2017), in which he plays Postman Joseph Roulin, but the moving paint is the reason to watch. The film animates van Gogh's paintings with care, and simply watching the brushstrokes shift is a pleasure. Its stiff, slow investigation into the painter's death gives the performers less help. We would recommend it to someone interested in painting before someone looking for an O'Dowd performance.

*State of the Union* (2019), in which he plays Tom alongside Rosamund Pike, takes him into shorter-form dramatic work. It is a welcome direction for an actor whose friendly manner can too easily become the whole assignment. We would like more casting along those lines. The next script can safely assume we already find him likeable.

## Biography

Chris O'Dowd is an Irish actor and comedian. He was born on 9 October 1979 in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland. He studied at University College Dublin and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

O'Dowd gained attention for his role as Roy Trenneman in the Channel 4 series The IT Crowd (2006–2010). He played Officer Nathan Rhodes in the film Bridesmaids (2011). He created and starred in the Sky 1 series Moone Boy (2012–2015).

His other credits include the film The Sapphires (2012), a Broadway debut in Of Mice and Men (2014), for which he received a Tony Award nomination, and the series Get Shorty (2017–) and State of the Union. He is married to Dawn O'Porter.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (13)

- *The Sheep Detectives* (2026), Fi1m 76, as Mopple (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-sheep-detectives.md)
- *Juliet, Naked* (2018), Fi1m 70, as Duncan Thomson — [page](https://film.one/film/juliet-naked.md)
- *Mary Poppins Returns* (2018), Fi1m 67, as Shamus the Coachman (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/mary-poppins-returns.md)
- *Loving Vincent* (2017), Fi1m 65, as Postman Joseph Roulin — [page](https://film.one/film/loving-vincent.md)
- *Molly's Game* (2017), Fi1m 70, as Douglas Downey — [page](https://film.one/film/mollys-game.md)
- *Calvary* (2014), Fi1m 81, as Jack Brennan — [page](https://film.one/film/calvary.md)
- *Thor: The Dark World* (2013), Fi1m 58, as Richard — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-the-dark-world.md)
- *Girls* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Thomas-John — [page](https://film.one/tv/girls.md)
- *Moone Boy* (2012), Fi1m 81, as Sean Murphy — [page](https://film.one/tv/moone-boy.md)
- *Bridesmaids* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Rhodes — [page](https://film.one/film/bridesmaids.md)
- *The Crimson Petal and the White* (2011), Fi1m 68, as William Rackham — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-crimson-petal-and-the-white.md)
- *The IT Crowd* (2006), Fi1m 76, as Roy Trenneman — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-it-crowd.md)
- *Vera Drake* (2004), Fi1m 84, as Sid's Customer — [page](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md)

## Complete filmography (72)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *On the Edge* (2027), as (voice)
- *Artificial* (2026), Actor
- *Me, Myself, and Mary* (2026), Actor
- *The Sheep Detectives* (2026), as Mopple (voice) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-sheep-detectives.md)
- *National Theatre Live: The Brightening Air* (2025), as Dermot
- *Small Town, Big Story* (2025), series, as Jack E. McCarthy · Writer, Director, Executive Producer, Creator
- *Puffin Rock and the New Friends* (2023), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Big Door Prize* (2023), series, as Dusty
- *Slumberland* (2022), as Phillip
- *My Father's Dragon* (2022), as Kwan the Macaque (voice)
- *Human Resources* (2022), series, as Flanny the Lovebug (voice), Flanny O'Lympic (voice)
- *National Theatre Live: Constellations* (2021), as Roland
- *The Starling* (2021), as Jack Maynard
- *How to Build a Girl* (2020), as Alan 'Wilko' Wilkinson
- *Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth* (2020), as Finn's Dad (voice)
- *State of the Union* (2019), series, as Tom
- *The Twilight Zone* (2019), series, Actor
- *Mary Poppins Returns* (2018), as Shamus the Coachman (voice) — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/mary-poppins-returns.md)
- *Juliet, Naked* (2018), as Duncan Thomson — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/juliet-naked.md)
- *Love After Love* (2018), as Nicholas
- *The Cloverfield Paradox* (2018), as Mundy
- *Molly's Game* (2017), as Douglas Downey — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/mollys-game.md)
- *Get Shorty* (2017), series, as Miles Daly
- *Loving Vincent* (2017), as Postman Joseph Roulin — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/loving-vincent.md)
- *The Incredible Jessica James* (2017), as Boone
- *Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children* (2016), as Frank
- *Mascots* (2016), as Tommy 'Zook' Zucarello
- *The Program* (2015), as David Walsh
- *Puffin Rock* (2015), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *National Theatre Live: Of Mice and Men* (2014), as Lennie
- *St. Vincent* (2014), as Brother Geraghty
- *Monsters vs Aliens: Creature Features* (2014), as Dr. Cockroach Ph.D.
- *Calvary* (2014), as Jack Brennan — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/calvary.md)
- *The Double* (2014), as Nurse
- *Cuban Fury* (2014), as Drew
- *Thor: The Dark World* (2013), as Richard — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-the-dark-world.md)
- *Monsters Vs Aliens: Cloning Around* (2013), as Dr. Cockroach (voice)
- *Epic* (2013), as Grub (voice)
- *Family Tree* (2013), series, as Tom Chadwick
- *Monsters vs. Aliens* (2013), series, as Dr. Cockroach Ph.D.
- *This Is 40* (2012), as Ronnie
- *3, 2, 1... Frankie Go Boom* (2012), as Bruce
- *Moone Boy* (2012), series, as Sean Murphy · Creator — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/moone-boy.md)
- *The Sapphires* (2012), as Dave Lovelace
- *Girls* (2012), series, as Thomas-John — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/girls.md)
- *Friends with Kids* (2012), as Alex
- *Black Mirror* (2011), series, as Mike — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Bridesmaids* (2011), as Rhodes — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/bridesmaids.md)
- *The Crimson Petal and the White* (2011), series, as William Rackham — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-crimson-petal-and-the-white.md)
- *Gulliver's Travels* (2010), as General Edward
- *Dinner for Schmucks* (2010), as Marco
- *Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel* (2009), as Ray
- *The Boat That Rocked* (2009), as Simon
- *FM* (2009), series, as Lindsay Carol
- *The Secret Policeman's Ball 2008* (2008), Actor
- *How to Lose Friends & Alienate People* (2008), as Post Modern Review Staff
- *Roman's Empire* (2007), series, as Jase
- *Hotel Very Welcome* (2007), as Liam
- *The Amazing Mrs Pritchard* (2006), series, as Headmaster
- *The IT Crowd* (2006), series, as Roy Trenneman — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-it-crowd.md)
- *The Year London Blew Up* (2005), as Brendan Dowd
- *Festival* (2005), as Tommy O'Dwyer
- *Vera Drake* (2004), as Sid's Customer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md)
- *The Clinic* (2003), series, as Brendan Davenport
- *Conspiracy of Silence* (2003), as James
- *Red Cap* (2003), series, as Bernie Maddox
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Guard / Contestant (voice), Butler (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Seamus (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Untitled Jack and the Beanstalk Film*, as (voice)
- *The Adventures of Super Frank*, as John O'Dowd · Writer
- *Bender*, Actor
- *Ceasefire*, as Niall O'Dowd

## Gallery

- ![Chris O'Dowd](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-b8a638712122.jpg) Chris O'Dowd — Christopher William Adach from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Chris_O%27Dowd_at_British_Comedy_Awards_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Chris O'Dowd at the 2013 British Comedy Awards, 12 December 2013 (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-d7d1da3893b2.jpg) Chris O'Dowd at the 2013 British Comedy Awards, 12 December 2013 (2014) — Christopher William Adach from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Chris_O%27Dowd_at_British_Comedy_Awards.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![O'Dowd at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-8f970331322a.jpg) O'Dowd at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival (2013) — Gordon Correll, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Chris_ODowd_2012.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Chris O Dowd at Jason Reitman's live table read of The Princess Bride, 2015 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-cbeae0862665.jpg) Chris O Dowd at Jason Reitman's live table read of The Princess Bride, 2015 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Princess_Bride_02_%2821214503039%29.jpg/1280px-Princess_Bride_02_%2821214503039%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Chris O'Dowd](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-6fee4ab749e5.jpg) Chris O'Dowd — Image via TMDB
- ![Chris O'Dowd](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-6566d85f5f5e.jpg) Chris O'Dowd — Image via TMDB
- ![Chris O'Dowd](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-147b9abb13c5.jpg) Chris O'Dowd — Image via TMDB
- ![Chris O Dowd at Jason Reitman's live table read of The Princess Bride, 2015 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-cfab07dd3f88.jpg) Chris O Dowd at Jason Reitman's live table read of The Princess Bride, 2015 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Princess_Bride_12_%2821214438169%29.jpg/1280px-Princess_Bride_12_%2821214438169%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Chris O Dowd at Jason Reitman's live table read of The Princess Bride, 2015 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-8a91c2cf4a31.jpg) Chris O Dowd at Jason Reitman's live table read of The Princess Bride, 2015 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Princess_Bride_13_%2821214384279%29.jpg/1280px-Princess_Bride_13_%2821214384279%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Chris O'Dowd](https://film.one/media/person/119896/gallery-481a92c406d8.jpg) Chris O'Dowd — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 2022: BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Performer (won), for *Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2019: Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (won), for *State of the Union*

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- Theatre World Award 2014: Theatre World Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2014: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/chris-odowd