B.J. Hogg

BJ Hogg, a true Ulsterman, born in Lisburn, Co. Antrim. His father William was a plater in Harland and Woolfe shipyard in Belfast His mother May ran a general store in their home town. BJ has travelled the world as an actor, writer and now director. He is a true all-rounder, a classically trained musician who started his career whilst in his teens, touring with the Big Bands, all over his native Ireland. His acting career has taken him from theatre roles in Belfast Art's and Lyric Theatres to London's Royal Court, including the Moscow Arts Theatre and the National Theatre of Belarus in Minsk. In Russia, BJ was the only European actor to be invited to play with an all Russian cast in the Russian stage play, Threshold, in Moscow Arts Theatre and The National ByloRussian State Theatre (Yanka Kupala) Minsk. Directed by Shivaun O'Casey, he played Corporal Brennan in major US and Irish tours of her father Sean's play "The Plough and the Stars". Starring in numerous television series he has become a household name and face in the comic role of "Big Mervyn" in the long-running BBC NI comedy series "Give My Head Peace", aired across the UK and Ireland. BJ, passionate about his native Northern Ireland, has successfully based his career from his home territory, playing in movies internationally and indeed, closer to home. BJ just completed filming with Tim Robbins and Bill Murray in the forthcoming City Of Ember, Richard Attenborough's Closing The Ring and Steve McQueen's acclaimed Cannes 2008 award winning, The Hunger. He works extensively when he can, in the theatre, and has just completed in the principle role, Robert, the inaugural tour of the huge new musical On Eagles Wing, which is scheduled for major European and US tours and then Broadway in 2010. BJ has worked extensively with acclaimed directors including Richard Attenborough, Jim Sheridan, Thaddeus O'Sullivan, Mike Leigh and Alan Pakula. Turning to directing himself, he is about to helm a major UK documentary Richard Attenborough: Master At Work, and also direct a British movie called, Promises, Promises. Integrally involved in the production of 'Dance Lexi Dance', he also played the eponymous 'Lexi Hamilton' in the Oscar nominated short film 'Dance Lexi Dance' which continues to win awards, including Special Jury award at the Aspen film festival. As a writer, BJ has just completed his second screenplay Promises, Promises, which he also directs, filming in the UK, with Ed Burns, Claire Forlani and Rosemary Harris due for release in Summer 2010. Show less «