REVEALED: Oscar-winning actor has surprising Irish roots

Edward (Eddie) Redmayne is a London-born, multi-award-winning actor and is best known for his protagonist role in the film franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The 42-year-old actor is an OBE and was awarded abundantly for his role in The Theory of Everything, where he plays astrophysicist Stephen Hawking in the period biopic.

His family heritage can be traced back to Kilrush, Co Clare, as his great-grandfather was Sir Richard Augustine Studdert Redmayne (July 22, 1865 to December 27, 1955).

A Mid-Western historian, Dr Paul O’Brien of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, discovered the link upon searching for information about Admiral John Fitzgerald Studdert, a royal naval officer.

“I came across an obituary to Sir Richard Augustine Studdert Redmayne. His middle name stood out like a beacon, and I immediately started digging,” Dr O’Brien said. 

“It wasn't long before I realised that the Admiral and the Actor were related - it felt incredible to make the link to such an accomplished actor who won an Oscar in 2015 for the Theory of Everything. Eddie Redmayne has Clare and Limerick heritage.”

Dr O’Brien continued: “Coincidentally, earlier this year, I transcribed a will dated 1726 in which Eddie Redmayne's fourth great grandfather is mentioned. 

“His name was Thomas Studdert, who bought Bunratty Castle in Clare, from Thomas Amory in 1712 for £225, and an annual rent of £120.”

Other famous films Eddie Redmayne featured in include Les Misérables (2012) and more recently, popular Netflix hits such as The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) and The Good Nurse (2022).