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John Kavanagh

John Kavanagh

Actor · Born January 1, 1946 (80) · Dublin, Ireland

John Kavanagh (born 1946, Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish character actor who was a member of the Abbey Theatre company for ten years (1967–1977) before going freelance. He has worked in over 20 films and numerous TV series since 1970. His film credits include Braveheart (1995), The Butcher Boy (1997), Dancing at Lughnasa (1998), Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), and The Last Duel (2021). On television he is best known for playing The Seer / Pope Leo IV in Vikings (2013–2020) and Vikings: Valhalla (2022–2024), and Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio in The Tudors (2007–2008). He received a Drama Desk Award nomination (1989) for Juno and the Paycock. He is also a singer, having played the lead in the Irish stage production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris in the 1970s. No other personal details are publicly confirmed.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 1, 1946 (80)
From
Dublin, Ireland
Works as
Actor
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 77 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 10% in 30 days

What are John Kavanagh's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
28%
Morality
20%
Self
18%
Survival
17%
Power
9%
Society
7%
Ideas
1%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 6 · Serious 2 · Dark 8

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 6 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 1

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Melancholic
10
Warm
4
Bittersweet
5
Dread
3
Other
11

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Kavanagh's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Kavanagh's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

77 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page.

  • Bucking Fastard(2026)

    as Mr. Westmoreland

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Der Irland-Krimi: Zerrissene Seelen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Arthur Browne

  • Rose's War(2023)

    as Sir Alfred Beit

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Peacock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Georgia's Boss

  • Vikings: Valhalla(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as The Seer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The Last Duel(2021)

    as Le Gris' Priest

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Riverdance: The Animated Adventure(2021)

    as Gatekeeper (voice)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Supervized(2019)

    as Windsor

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Deposits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Lost Memories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Dad

  • Florence Foster Jenkins(2016)

    as Arturo Toscanini

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Vikings: Athelstan's Journal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 6 episodes · as The Seer · as The Seer (archive footage)

  • Horse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Junior

  • In Secret(2013)

    as Inspector Michaud

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • The Invisible Woman(2013)

    as Reverend Benham

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Bachelor Weekend(2013)

    as Fionan and Little Kevin's Dad

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Vikings(2013)

    Show 39 episodes · as Pope Leo IV · as The Seer · as The Seer (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Titanic: Blood and Steel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward Carson

  • The Runway(2010)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Father & Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 4 episodes · as John O'Connor

  • Closing the Ring(2007)

    as Reverend Smith

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Tudors(2007)

    Show 10 episodes · as Cardinal Campeggio · as Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Tiger's Tail(2006)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Black Dahlia(2006)

    as Emmett Linscott

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Alexander(2004)

    as Parmenion

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Halo Effect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Stan

  • The Wonderful Story of Kelvin Kind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Mystics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Gerry the Barman

  • Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor(2003)

    as Judge Shippen

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Pete's Meteor(1998)

    as Sergeant Maloney

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Sinners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Frank

  • Puckoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Haggerty

  • Last Days in Dublin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Rebel Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 4 episodes · as Eugene O'Brien

  • Vicious Circle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Charlie Rice

  • Dancing at Lughnasa(1998)

    as Father Carlin

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Butcher Boy(1997)

    as Dr. Boyd

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Informant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as IRA Chief

  • The Tale of Sweeney Todd(1997)

    as Rutledge

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Some Mother's Son(1996)

    as Cardinal

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Samuel Beckett: As the Story Was Told (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Voice

  • Shadow of a Gunman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Adolphus Grigson

  • Braveheart(1995)

    as Craig

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Sharpe's Sword (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Father Patrick Curtis

  • Circle of Friends(1995)

    as Brian Mahon

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Scarlett(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Jamie O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • Widows' Peak(1994)

    as Canon Murtagh

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Love Lies Bleeding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Sean Kerrigan

  • Bad Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Patrick Molloy

  • Sharpe(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Curtis

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Into the West(1992)

    as Hartnett

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Children of the North (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Seamus Reilly

  • Performance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Adolphus Grigson

  • Arise and Go Now (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Father Dade

  • Events at Drimaghleen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Superintendent O'Kelly

  • August Saturday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Tom Crosbie

  • Fools of Fortune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Johnny Lacy

  • Who Bombed Birmingham? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Z

  • Joyriders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Manager

  • The Storyteller: A Story Short (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Beggar

  • The Storyteller(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Beggar

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Bellman and True (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Donkey

  • The Fantasist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Robert Foxley

  • ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Dade · as Sean Kerrigan · as Superintendent O'Kelly · as Tom Crosbie

  • Lovejoy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Hennessey

  • The Price (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Kearney

  • The Price (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 6 episodes · as Kearney

  • Children in the Crossfire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Cal(1984)

    as Skeffington

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Country Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as James

  • Attracta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mr. Devereux

  • The Ballroom of Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Bowser Egan

  • Revival: Pearse's Concept of Ireland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Patrick Pearse

  • A Week in the Life of Martin Cluxton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Priest

  • The McKenzie Break(1970)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • One Sweet Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Tommy

  • Weeks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Jim

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 76 titles, 74 of them dated from 1970 to 2026; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

The Black Dahlia (2006)

$49M worldwide

Highest rated

The Butcher Boy (1997)

Midcredits 82nd

Most popular right now

The Black Dahlia (2006)

Film career

19702026

Peak 2005 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting76 of 76: 76 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s15 · acting1990s23 · acting2000s15 · acting2010s12 · acting2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 19 roles
7000

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do John Kavanagh's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 26; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 48th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

78thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Pete's Meteor (1998)

69th percentile spread · 46% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Braveheart (1995)

Midcredits 98th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is John Kavanagh's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 50 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does John Kavanagh work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Kavanagh's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Pat O'Connor shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers