Colin O’Donoghue

Irish actor Colin O'Donoghue is best known for his portrayal of the evil Captain Hook in "Once Upon A Time" (ABC 2011-). O'Donoghue was born on January 26, 1981 to a Catholic family in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, an area he would continue to live in throughout his successful career. O'Donoghue graduated from The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. He pursued theater and television roles in the United Kingdom, appearing in the mini-series "Rebel Heart" (BBC 2001). A gifted guitarist, he also co-founded the band The Enemies in 2003; their songs were featured in ad campaigns for General Motors and Coca-Cola.

O'Donoghue starred in the final seasons of the popular Irish medical drama "The Clinic" (RTE 2003-2009), and he won an Irish Film and Television "Best New Talent" award for his work in the TV movie "Home For Christmas" (2002). He came to international attention for his brief appearance on "The Tudors" (BBC 2007-2010) in 2009. His Hollywood debut was a big one; through an audition tape he made in his native Drogheda, he landed the lead alongside Anthony Hopkins in the horror film "The Rite" (2011). This success brought him a guest starring role in "Once Upon A Time" in 2012, but his unusually young and roguishly handsome take on Captain Hook was so popular with viewers that he was made a series regular halfway through the second season.