Many fans of Game of Thrones and Harry Potter have wondered if Jack Gleeson, who played the notorious King Joffrey Baratheon, is related to Brendan Gleeson, who played the lovable Mad-Eye Moody. The two actors share a surname and a nationality, but are they actually family? Here’s what we know.
The Short Answer: No
According to multiple sources, Jack Gleeson and Brendan Gleeson are not related to each other. They have no blood ties or family connections, despite both being Irish and having the same last name. In fact, Jack Gleeson has two older sisters, Rachel and Emma, who are also involved in Irish theatre, but no brothers.
Brendan Gleeson, on the other hand, has four sons, all of whom are actors: Domhnall Gleeson, Brian Gleeson, Fergus Gleeson, and Rory Gleeson. Domhnall is perhaps the most famous of the four, having starred in films such as Ex Machina, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Brian has also appeared in Harry Potter, as well as Peaky Blinders and Snow White and the Huntsman. Fergus and Rory are less known, but have also acted in various projects.
The Confusion: Jackie Gleason
One possible source of confusion for some fans is the name Jackie Gleason. Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor, and musician who was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. He starred in The Honeymooners, The Jackie Gleason Show, and Smokey and the Bandit. He also had a son named Jackie Gleason Jr., who was also an actor.
Some people may have mistakenly assumed that Jackie Gleason was related to Brendan Gleeson or Jack Gleeson, since they share a similar name. However, this is not the case. Jackie Gleason was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Irish-American parents. He had no ties to Brendan Gleeson’s family or Jack Gleeson’s family.
The Conclusion: Just a Coincidence
So there you have it. Jack Gleeson and Brendan Gleeson are not related to each other or to Jackie Gleason. They are just two talented actors who happen to share a common surname and a common nationality. They have never worked together on screen, although Jack Gleeson has worked with Domhnall Gleeson in A Shine of Rainbows (2009).
It’s understandable that some fans may have been curious about their possible relationship, since they both have played memorable characters in popular franchises. However, the truth is that they are simply strangers with a coincidental resemblance.
