Connolly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1965 and was raised in the Finglas and Ringsend areas.
At sixteen years old he left school for a seven-month stint in the Merchant Navy, and later served eighteen months of "torture" in the Irish Navy before returning to Dublin, where he became involved in the Dublin Youth Theater. Connolly began his screen career with a recurring role in the RTÉ television series Inside in 1985, with his first film role coming three years later opposite Gabriel Byrne in The Courier. Connolly received roles in several high-profile projects in the 1990s, including the film adaptation of the Tom Clancy novel Patriot Games in 1993, and he received a Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of an abusive soldier in 1995's Guiltrip.
In 1997, Connolly, his wife (actress Karen Woodley), and their two children relocated to Los Angeles. He had roles in several acclaimed television series, including Lost, Heroes, and The Closer. He wrote and directed the short film Flush in 2003, and made his feature film directoral debut with 2008's Quest for the Meaning of Life . Connollys most recent role was as ex-con Paddy Bishop in Fair City.
Filmography
Actor
2016
You're the Worst (TV Series) as
Freddie
- The Only Thing That Helps (2016) - Freddie
2015
Full Circle (TV Series) as
Al Riordan
- Katie & Paulie (2015) - Al Riordan
- Shelly & Katie (2015) - Al Riordan
2013
Fair City (TV Series) as
Paddy Bishop
- Episode #24.170 (2013) - Paddy Bishop
- Episode #24.169 (2013) - Paddy Bishop
- Episode #24.115 (2013) - Paddy Bishop
- Episode #24.49 (2013) - Paddy Bishop
2011
L.A. Noire (Video Game) as
Capt. James Donnelly
2011
Water for Elephants as
Weehawken Officer
2011
The Cape (TV Series) as
Scales' Trainer
- Scales (2011) - Scales' Trainer
2010
The Closer (TV Series) as
Shariq Marku
- Living Proof: Part Two (2010) - Shariq Marku
- Living Proof: Part One (2010) - Shariq Marku
2010
NCIS: Los Angeles (TV Series) as
Jacobus Troyger
- LD50 (2010) - Jacobus Troyger
2010
Chuck (TV Series) as
Jack Artman
- Chuck Versus the Angel de la Muerte (2010) - Jack Artman
2009
Heroes (TV Series) as
Joseph Sullivan
- Chapter Ten 'Thanksgiving' (2009) - Joseph Sullivan
- Chapter Nine 'Brother's Keeper' (2009) - Joseph Sullivan
2008
Quest for the Meaning of Life as
The dog
2007
ER (TV Series) as
Brit #1
- Coming Home (2007) - Brit #1 (as Andrew M. Connolly)
2007
On Broadway as
Uncle Pete
2007
Lost (TV Series) as
Brother Campbell
- Catch-22 (2007) - Brother Campbell
2003
Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle (TV Movie) as
Tom Molloy
2002
Full Frontal as
Partygoer
2002
The Secret Sea (Short) as
Karl
2001
Rebel Heart (TV Mini Series) as
Eamon DeValera
- Episode #1.2 (2001) - Eamon DeValera
2000
Taggart (TV Series) as
DI Ronnie Greig
- Ghost Rider (2000) - DI Ronnie Greig
1999
Vendetta (TV Movie) as
Sheriff Bill Villere
1999
Shergar as
Dermot Concannon
1999
Vicious Circle (TV Movie) as
Detective Declan Finney
1996
Bramwell (TV Series) as
Dr. Finn O'Neill / Dr. Finn O'Neil
- Episode #3.9 (1997) - Dr. Finn O'Neill
- Episode #3.6 (1997) - Dr. Finn O'Neill
- Episode #3.4 (1997) - Dr. Finn O'Neill
- Episode #3.2 (1997) - Dr. Finn O'Neill
- Episode #3.1 (1997) - Dr. Finn O'Neill
- Episode #2.8 (1996) - Dr. Finn O'Neil
- Episode #2.4 (1996) - Dr. Finn O'Neill
- Episode #2.2 (1996) - Dr. Finn O'Neill
1995
Guiltrip as
Liam
1995
Runway One (TV Movie) as
Ned Farrelly
1995
Mad Dogs and Englishmen as
Clive Nathan
1994
Family (TV Mini Series) as
Liam
- Charlo (1994) - Liam
1991
The Bill (TV Series) as
Steven Moss / Sean Tovey
- Pals (1994) - Steven Moss
- Chapter and Verse (1991) - Sean Tovey
1993
Circle of Deceit (TV Movie) as
Dermot McAuley
1993
Lovejoy (TV Series) as
Publican
- Irish Stew (1993) - Publican
1992
Patriot Games as
Charlie Dugan
1990
All My Lovely Boys (Short)
1990
Saints and Scholars (Short) as
Jamie
1988
Goodbye Piccadilly (Short) as
Matt
1988
Joyriders as
Perky Rice
1988
The Courier as
Danny
1987
Frankie and Johnnie (Short)
1986
Boom Babies (Short) as
Andrew
1985
Inside (TV Series) as
Prisoner
- Mrs. Collins' Proposal (1986) - Prisoner
- Ripples (1986) - Prisoner
- Face to Face (1986) - Prisoner
- Too Many Chiefs (1986) - Prisoner
- Lovers? (1986) - Prisoner
- Withdrawal (1985) - Prisoner
- Deadline (1985) - Prisoner
- The Canadian Connection (1985) - Prisoner
- Under Protection (1985) - Prisoner
- Strike Action (1985) - Prisoner
- I Spy (1985) - Prisoner
- 24 Hours (1985) - Prisoner
Director
2008
Quest for the Meaning of Life
2003
Flush (Short)
Producer
2004
The Krazy Kockelman Brothers (Documentary short) (co-producer)
2003
Flush (Short) (co-producer)
Writer
2003
Flush (Short)
Self
1990
The Truth About Claire (TV Mini Series documentary) as
