From an Anglo Irish family. Born in London but educated in Ireland. Graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art 1956-58 then 12 years as Associate Artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Appeared on Broadway in 1966 with "Marat-Sade" and later in 1975 with "Sherlock Holmes". He won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle award for "The Homecoming" in 1995, at the Matrix Theatre.