John Kavanagh

John Kavanagh

Known For

Braveheart

Biography

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.

Movies Featuring John Kavanagh

Bucking Fastard

Bucking Fastard (2026)

as Mr. Westmoreland
Baltimore

Baltimore (2024)

as Sir Alfred Beit
The Last Duel

The Last Duel (2021)

as Le Gris' Priest
Deposits

Deposits (2017)

as Narrator (voice)
In Secret

In Secret (2014)

as Inspector Michaud
The Stag

The Stag (2013)

as Fionan and Little Kevin's Dad
The Black Dahlia

The Black Dahlia (2006)

as Emmett Linscott
Mystics

Mystics (2003)

as Gerry the Barman
Pete's Meteor

Pete's Meteor (2002)

as Sergeant Maloney
Shadow of a Gunman

Shadow of a Gunman (1995)

as Adolphus Grigson
Sharpe's Sword

Sharpe's Sword (1995)

as Father Patrick Curtis
Widows' Peak

Widows' Peak (1994)

as Canon Murtagh
Bad Company

Bad Company (1993)

as Patrick Molloy
Events at Drimaghleen

Events at Drimaghleen (1991)

as Superintendent O'Kelly
The Fantasist

The Fantasist (1986)

as Robert Foxley
Cal

Cal (1984)

as Skeffington
No Image

Attracta (1983)

as Mr. Devereux