Patrick Bergin

About Patrick Bergin

Tall, dark-haired, dashing Irish lead who, after a career as a teacher of juvenile delinquents and children with learning disabilities, turned to full-time acting in 1980. Bergin came to prominence as 19th-century explorer Sir Richard Burton in Bob Rafelson's "Mountains of the Moon" (1990) and as Julia Roberts' compulsively tidy, psychopathic husband in "Sleeping With the Enemy" (1991). He portrayed a similarly seductive psycho--a con artist who seduces women by pretending to be a famous photographer--in Lizzie Borden's 1992 thriller "Love Crimes". Bergin's classic good looks made him a natural to play the title character in the TV movie "Robin Hood" (1991).

Partners

Wife

Paula Frasier. have dated since c. 1981; married in 1992

Education

North London Polytechnic

Career Milestones

2006

Played the role of psychotic IRA gunman in "Johnny Was"

2005

Co-starred in the musical comedy The Boys and Girl From County Clare"

2004

Cast as the widowed father opposite Anne Hathaway in "Ella Enchanted"

2000

Cast as a police investigator in "When the Sky Falls" based on the true-life story of Irish investigative reporter Veronica Guerin

1997

Cast as Inspector Hansen in the TV movie "The Ripper" about the search for Jack the Ripper in London of 1888

1993

Starred in the adaptation of Mary Shelley's iconographic monster tale "Frankenstein"

1992

Cast as an IRA assassin opposite Harrison Ford in "Patriot Games" based on the Tom Clancy novel

1992

Cast opposite Sean Young in the thriller "Love Crimes"

1991

Played the abusive husband opposite Julia Roberts in "Sleeping with the Enemy"

1990

Cast as Sir Richard Burton in the epic "Mountains of the Moon" directed by Bob Rafelson

1988

Won acclaim for his role as an IRA informer in the TV movie "Act of Betrayal"

1988

Made his feature-film debut in "The Courier"

1980

Decided to act full time; small roles in repertory theater and on English TV ("The Real Charlotte" for "Masterpiece Theater" and TV series "Boon" and "Hard Cases")

Pioneered new teaching program involving puppets and video

Taught juvenile delinquents and children with learning disabilities for five years

Worked as postman, laborer, library assistant during college

Began "Mum's Underground" theater group

Moved to London to become a teacher at age 17

Dabbled in theater during high school

At age five changed name to Ben McGuire for five years