Andrew Tiernan

Birth Date:

30 November, 1965

Birth Name:

Andrew James Tiernan

Birth Place:

Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

Nick Name:

Andy

Film Debut:

Dead Cat 1989

Breakthrough Film:

300 2006

Biography

Andrew James Tiernan, known professionally as Andrew Tiernan and sometimes by the nickname or alternative name “Andy Tiernan,” is a British actor, director and filmmaker. He was born on 30 November 1965 in Ladywood, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. Tiernan developed an interest in acting at an early age and began performing with the Birmingham Youth Theatre. He also worked at the Midlands Arts Centre before moving to London in 1984 to pursue formal training. He studied acting for three years at the Drama Centre London, developing the skills that would later establish him as a versatile character actor.

Tiernan began his professional screen career in the late 1980s, with film credits including the 1989 production Dead Cat. However, his first widely recognized feature-film appearance came in Derek Jarman’s Edward II (1991), in which he played Piers Gaveston. Around the same period, he appeared as DC Rosper in the television series Prime Suspect, working alongside Helen Mirren. He continued building a reputation through British television and film, appearing in productions such as Cracker, Interview with the Vampire, Face, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and The Pianist. His performance as Szalas in Roman Polanski’s The Pianist (2002) further demonstrated his ability to take on complex supporting roles.

Tiernan’s major international breakthrough came with Zack Snyder’s 300 (2006), in which he portrayed Ephialtes, a physically distinctive and conflicted character who seeks acceptance among the Spartan warriors. The role brought him international recognition and became one of his most identifiable performances. His prosthetic makeup for the character reportedly took around ten hours to apply each day. Tiernan later reprised Ephialtes in 300: Rise of an Empire (2014). Alongside acting, he has worked as a director, making his feature directorial debut with Dragonfly and subsequently directing projects including UK18 and Break Clause. His television credits have also included Life on Mars, Doctor Who, Luther, Whitechapel, Happy Valley, Dalgliesh, and FBI: International.