Frank Grimes

Grimes was born in Dublin on 9 March 1947.^[1] He achieved his first major success as the young Brendan Behan in the 1967 stage adaptation of Behan's autobiography, Borstal Boy, at the Abbey Theatre.^[2] When the production moved to Broadway, Grimes was nominated for a Tony Award for best actor.^[3]

In 1970 the Italian director, Franco Zeffirelli, offered Grimes the lead role of Francis of Assisi in his biographical film, Brother Sun, Sister Moon. However, director and actor fell out over how the part should be played and Grimes was replaced by Graham Faulkner.^[4]

In the early 1970s, Grimes moved to London where he came to the attention of director Lindsay Anderson. Anderson offered him a part in his production of David Storey's play The Farm, the success of which established Grimes' reputation in British theatre.^[4]

Grimes' most significant film role was the part of Major Fuller in Richard Attenborough's A Bridge Too Far (1977). However, he was probably best known, in his native Ireland at least, for his performance as Father O'Connor in RTÉ's drama series, Strumpet City. In 1981, Grimes received a Jacob's Award "for his detailed and exceptionally convincing portrayal" of the young priest.^[5]

Frank Grimes continued to work in television, films and theatre throughout his later years. Later TV appearances included the recurrent role of Barry Connor in Coronation Street. In 2013 he appeared as Mrs McCarthy's husband in the Father Brown episode "The Mayor and the Magician".

Grimes died following a short illness on 1 August 2025, at the age of 78.^[6][7]