Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Low-key, dark-haired Irish actor with a slightly hangdog expression, in occasional films since the late 1970s. His first leading role, as a vengeful saxophone player in Neil Jordan's directorial debut, DANNY BOY (1982)/ANGEL, garnered Rea critical acclaim, but the actor's real breakthrough came a decade later in another Jordan film, THE CRYING GAME (1992). Cast as an IRA kidnapper who falls for the lover of a man whose death he indirectly caused, Rea subtly conveyed his character's mixed feelings and contradictions. He also enjoyed success on the West End and Broadway stage that same year as one of three political prisoners in Someone to Watch Over Me. Other notable credits include THE COMPANY OF WOLVES (1984), LIFE IS SWEET (1990), ANGIE, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, PRÊT-À-PORTER and PRINCESS CARABOO (all 1994), MICHAEL COLLINS (1996), THE BUTCHER BOY (1997), STILL CRAZY (1998), GUINEVERE, IN DREAMS and THE END OF THE AFFAIR (all 1999), ONTHE EDGE (2000), THE MUSKETEER (2001), FEARDOTCOM, EVELYN and "Copenhagen" (TV) (all 2002), THE I INSIDE and BLOOM (both 2003), THE HALO EFFECT, THE GOOD SHEPHERD, FLUENT DYSPHASIA, PROUD and CONTROL (all 2004), TARA ROAD, BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, RIVER QUEEN and V FOR VENDETTA (all 2005), SISTERS and SIXTY SIX (both 2006), UNTIL DEATH, THE REAPING and STUCK (all 2007), KISSES HEIDI 4 PAWS, THE HEAVY, DEVIL'S MERCY and UN SIMPLE ESPION (all scheduled for 2008), and PURPLE AMERICA (planned for 2009). A Protestant republican, Rea married former IRA member Dolours Price in 1983. They have two sons and a daughter.  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 1992: THE CRYING GAME 1 nomination