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A straightforward and talented actor, John Keegan was already a respected stage performer by the time of his death in 1998. Despite a relatively brief career, he worked across all mediums, beginning with the Lyric Players in 1979, appearing as Peter Grant in John Boyd's 'Facing North' and taking on multiple roles in Armand Gatti's political drama 'The Second Life of Tatenberg Camp'.
In 1980, still at the Lyric, he portrayed Martin Boyle in Tommy McArdle's adaptation of Eugene McCabe's television play 'Heritage'. A year later, he made his film debut as Liam Doyle in Pat Murphy's Belfast-set 'Maeve', which also featured a young Brid Brennan. Established as a Lyric regular, Keegan secured more substantial roles, leading in Martin Lynch's 'The Interrogation of Ambrose Fogarty' and John Boyd's Wildean piece 'Speranza's Boy' in 1982. That year also marked his television debut in the acclaimed mini-series 'Harrys Game', playing a minor character credited as Ardoyne Man, followed by a co-starring role in Mike Leigh's 'Four Days In July' (1984). His second film, 'Life Force' (1985), saw him struggle for screen credit. Through the late 1980s, his theatre work was sporadic, though he appeared at the King's Head Theatre in London in Christina Reid's award-winning drama 'Did You Hear the One About the Irishman...?' (1987).
Keegan's career strengthened in the late 1980s and early 1990s with several film and television roles, notably as Sean Scanlon in the mini-series 'Crossfire' (1988) and Det Sgt Hughes in Ken Loach's Cannes Film Festival-winning 'Hidden Agenda' (1990). Returning to the Belfast stage in 1991, he performed in the Lyric's production of Ron Hutchinson's 'Pygmies in the Ruins' and took a significant part in the locally set TV series 'So You Think You've Got Troubles', alongside James Ellis, Harry Towb, and Stella McCusker. At the Tricycle Theatre in 1993, he played Victor in Bill Morrison's 'A Love Song For Ulster', and the following year portrayed Father Donnelly in Barry Devlin's BBC 'Screen Two' comedy 'All Things Bright and Beautiful', set in 1950s Ulster. One of his final stage roles was in the Irish premiere of Sam Shepard's 'Simpatico' at the Old Museum Arts Centre in 1997. His last screen appearance was as Father Flynn in the successful Irish comedy 'Divorcing Jack' (1998).
Although John Keegan was a proven stage actor, he was not given enough screen opportunities to fully showcase his talent. Nevertheless, within this limited span and his relatively short life, he offered a glimpse of his potential.
Other Theatre, Film, and TV Credits:
Theatre:
* Accidental Death of an Anarchist (1982), Lyric Theatre, Belfast
* Boyd's Shop (1984), Lyric Theatre, Belfast
* Ourselves Alone (1985), Royal Court Theatre, London
* Fanshen (1988), NT Cottesloe, London
* The Difficulty of Concentration (1991), Druid Theatre, Galway
* Henry VI: The Battle for the Throne (1994), RSC (tour)
Television:
* A Casualty of War (1993)
* The Ambassador (1998)
