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Amy Adams, Angelina Jolie, Ben Walker, Cate Blanchett, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Radcliffe, Dwayne Johnson, Frances McDormand, Lee Pace, Liam Neeson, movie premieres, Scarlett Johansson
Getty Images has done a great thing for us bloggers by allowing many of their photos to be legally embedded in our posts. Perusing their site for images of Himself and Friends, I couldn’t resist giving the system a test drive. It’s a pleasing survey of his public appearances over the past decade, but with some significant gaps where Getty did not make images available. If you’re not familiar with Mr. H.’s oeuvre, this will give you an idea of what he’s been up to, and the A-listers he’s been working with. Plus, I get to ponder the mysteries of the Hindsian wardrobe and make affectionately snarky comments (“Are you really going out in that?”).
A tip of the hat to Guylty Pleasure for giving me the idea for this post! It is indeed a pleasure to spend an hour or so bathing the retinas in these images.
Let’s start with The Sum of All Fears premiere in Los Angeles in 2002. Hinds turned in a terrific performance as “President Nemerov,” a Russian leader with many similarities to Vladimir Putin (but taller and much better looking). He stole the show, and this role led to more opportunities in Hollywood. I love the brown suit, the slicked-back hair and the slightly nerdy look of the buttoned polo shirt. Sadly, the handsome suit seems to disappear after this event.
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Veronica Guerin is the true story of Ms. Guerin’s heroic battle against out-of-control drug dealers in Dublin. Here is Himself (who played the creepily sexy John Traynor) with Cate Blanchett at the 2003 premiere. The brown suit has been replaced by navy blue with a blue button-down shirt. We are going to become VERY familiar with this outfit.
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Another shot from the premiere of VG in London: can you tell I’m having fun here? Mr. H.’s verdict on Cate was that she “looks good in a frock.” Cate’s verdict seems to be that Ciarán Hinds smells wonderful.
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Mr. H. played the deliciously evil villain Jonathan Reiss in Angelina Jolie’s 2003 film, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. For the premiere, he dons the exact same outfit he wore to Veronica Guerin. It’s a rare pleasure to see him with a tan.
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His daughter Aoife attended the premiere. This picture just melts your heart!
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A much-beloved shot from the premiere of Race To Witch Mountain (London, 2005). In the film he plays a sinister Man In Black From A Shady Governmental Agency… This time he has a new look, with striped shirt, his favorite leather jacket, and jeans.
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With Carla Gugino, Race To Witch Mountain director Andy Fickman and Dwayne Johnson. Himself would later be reunited with Carla in Political Animals.
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One of Mr. H.’s best roles was Julius Caesar in the HBO series Rome. Here’s a shot of cast members Ray Stevenson, Kevin McKidd, Lindsay Duncan, Polly Walker and Chiara Mastelli at a photo call in 2006. Looking very stylish here in the leather jacket with scarf, neat beard, and pleasingly shorn hair.
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Mr. H. wins an IFTA (Irish Film and Television Awards) for Rome in 2007 and shows, if any proof were needed, that he can rock a tuxedo (see also: Pettigrew). But it’s all too rare a vision.
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At the premiere of There Will Be Blood with best buddy Liam Neeson (2007). The two have been friends since they were teenagers. And there’s his “premiere outfit” again! Perhaps he has enough of costumes and fancy clothing in his professional life. When not onstage or on set, he sticks to a limited wardrobe of comfortable favorites.
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The premiere of Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (2008), a perennial fan favorite for the beautiful suits CH wore, and the romantic plot. With co-stars Lee Pace, the divine Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, and Tom Payne. Mr. H. looks comfortable and casual in a grey zip-neck sweater, scarf, and jeans. Lee Pace must be very tall because he towers over the other cast members and Hinds, who is six foot one.
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A 2009 portrait from the Tribeca Film Festival where he received a well-deserved Best Actor nod for The Eclipse. It’s a psychological drama in which he plays a widower haunted by ghostly manifestations. The favored jacket again, with a plaid shirt. Soon we will be nostalgic for this hair.
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A great “bromance” shot with fellow Eclipse star Aidan Quinn and friend Liam Neeson, at the Tribeca festival. Liam is wearing a 1977 Pink Floyd tour T-shirt: another man for the casual clothing. Mr. H. once described himself as having been in Pink Floyd/Slade mode during the late 70s, “with a Dave Hill haircut.” But I’ve never seen him in a Slade T-shirt!
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At the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Nov. 2010) in which he played Aberforth Dumbledore beneath a load of prosthetic makeup. Around this time, he seems to have grown fatigué with the concept of haircuts. And regular shaves. Or maybe it has been a lifelong aversion, indulged when feasible between roles…
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Shaun Dooley, Liz White and Daniel Radcliffe at The Woman In Black premiere (2012). I never realized before how tiny DanRad is. Himself is wearing a dark navy pea coat (one of my favorite items in his wardrobe) over a dark grey blazer. It’s his outdoor wear, and the other pictures reveal that he’s only just arrived.
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Hello gorgeous! Another shot from the premier of The Woman In Black. This was a ghost story, but not as good as The Eclipse. Note the blue shirt.
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Voguing with co-star Adrian Pasdar at the premiere of the TV miniseries Political Animals (June 2012), in which Mr. Hinds played an earthy, philandering ex-president whose ex-wife is aiming for the office of POTUS, opposite a Hilary-esque Sigourney Weaver. The party was held in the Morgan Library in NYC. Someone has very good taste, and it ain’t Yer Man. The best that can be said of this grey plaid blazer with dark blue shirt: it is not the nadir of Hindsian Sartorial History (I’ve seen worse). From the other shots, it looks like he wore this with black jeans and hiking boots.
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Sardi’s photo call for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (Nov. 2012) in which Hinds played Big Daddy (the first time I saw Himself in person!) For such photogenic people, the cast appears rather stiff, as though they’re in a police lineup. We have, from the left, director Rob Ashford, Debra Monk, Mr. H., Scarlett Johansson, and the beauteous Ben Walker, who spent much of the play memorably (i.e. partially) clad in pajama bottoms. Himself has purchased a new premiere outfit: a grey blazer with a battleship green shirt and black jeans.
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By opening night of COHTR (Jan. 2013), Big Daddy had a patriarchal full beard. He pairs the new gray blazer with one of the familiar blue shirts. Clearly, this is a man who hates neckties. Debra Monk looks radiant in red satin.
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With a fan taking a selfie at the Toronto Film Festival (Sept 2013), where he starred in three films (The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, McCanick, The Sea). Blue blazer, light blue shirt, no tie…
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The after-party for opening night (Dec. 2013) of The Night Alive, a play by Conor McPherson in which Himself starred. (Click here for more on this party.) OMG, the zombie Premiere Outfit has returned! Mr. H. has his character Tommy’s stubble and long hair, and after the run of TNA, he seems suspiciously reluctant to meet with shears and razor…
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With actor Bill Hader at the 16th Costume Designers Guild Awards (Feb 2014), where he paid tribute to Rome costume designer April Ferry in a very well-cut suit. We may confidently surmise that someone else dressed him for this appearance. Look at the shoes, the spiffy tie! But my fingers are itching for the scissors and razor every time I see this picture. Let’s hope he got to keep the suit, and that we see it again…
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If you’ve made it this far, you may already be a Ciarán Hinds fan! Check out ciaranhinds.eu for the Picture of the Day and everything you’ve always wanted to know about Himself but were afraid to ask. Well, almost everything…
Linnet Moss 
I didn’t realise Himself was quite so lovely. I have never looked at a whole bunch of photos in one hit. Hoo haa! On an aside, how gorgeous does Cate Blanchett look in that dress and divine earrings!
Ha ha! I’m going to convert you!! He really packs a punch, doesn’t he?
Couldn’t agree more about Cate. I think he has a soft spot for her 🙂
[My, Linnet, you gave me a fright with that headline – it appeared in my notifications, I thought Getty Images was on to me *ggg*]
Nice timeline here, I have to say! As a non-connoisseur I enjoyed seeing this round-up – and learning about all the films Mr H has been in. He doesn’t seem all too enamoured with RC stuff, though, does he? I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the forth-coming Abbey premiere. (Or maybe I should get into press-mode myself, wave my press card and shoot myself? Must find out *ggg*)
RC stuff? Can’t puzzle it out!
LOL about the notification alarm bell. It didn’t occur to me that my link back to you would cause that!
I enjoy seeing these premiere photos because they are candid, but I must say that he looks best in three-quarter view and I adore any photographer who gets a shot of those cheekbones at their finest 🙂 The studio sessions usually do take advantage of his “good” angle, whereas the photo calls tend to be straight-ahead frontal shots.
RC = red carpet
I have to say that I tend to be more enamoured (in general) with deliberate studio portraiture. Having said that, the “real-ness” of the candid is usually more evocative.
As a sufferer from prominent cheekbones myself I have to say that the angle from straight above is quite pleasing. Saw a stunning pic of CH in your “related posts” widget.
PS: Sorry for delay in replying. Will be done today after work.
Ah, red carpet! Of course. Yes, it’s true that he does not relish such things. I think he does them when it’s in his contract 🙂 Or if the project is dear to his heart, as with The Eclipse.
Yes, that one from above is a heart-stopper. I’m not sure when it was taken… a long time ago, LOL.
I will read and admire with tranquility sipping iced water (it’s hot here) later the post , but I had to say that when I learnt that I’ve had all that impressive male-group working at Cinecittà and living in Rome for two years and I didn’t know it, I cried myself very very very bitterly. 😀
Yes, I can well understand that it would have been a bitter pill! They are truly a lovely herd of manly exemplars. Too bad James Purefoy isn’t in the picture!
Ah, Linnet, your descriptions remind me of “The Voynich Affair”, which I loved. If I didn’t know of your love for little books and big language I would say you missed you missed your calling as the next Anna Wintour. Regarding our dear Mr. H., so many of these pictures could (and have) generated lengthy conversations, but now we also have the added mystery of the whereabouts of the wonderful brown suit.
I really enjoyed this piece. Thank you.
So glad you liked it! Considering my own wardrobe, I don’t think I’ll be on anyone’s short list as the next editor of Vogue, but somehow I feel well qualified to comment on all male attire 🙂
Interesting that this brought “Voynich” to mind. I wonder what the connection is?
You described the travel wardrobe vividly.
Ah. I surprise myself by how much I enjoy writing about clothes. If there is one thing I hate, it’s shopping.
( i must confess, based on yesterdays exchange, I misread upon first glance and found Ciaran Hands in the title. Now, head cleared, I will read your post. Smiles.)
Ciarán Hands is my new favourite nickname for Himself 🙂
Hereby my comments to this beautiful post:
1. Oh! I’m moved on learning that Mr. H’s best buddy is Mr. Neeson!
2. I agree on the adjective “divine” applied to Mrs. McDormand; I long to see Olive Kitteridge in tv. And yes, as far as I know, Mr. Pace is indeed very tall.
3. I personally prefer Mr. H. without the moustache. Looks weird with it… I guess it’s because of the difference in the colour of the hair.
4. Agree about the navy pea coat, suits him perfectly.
5. Agree also on the “police style” picture of the “Cat” cast. 🙂 I’ve seen an Italian company playing it in Rome and agree also on the fact that if Brick is played by a good looking actor… time flies!
About Mr. H’s career, being a fan of “Rome” it’s his only work I can talk about knowing what I’m saying (I’ve just seen Tinker Taylor once and a few fragments of other works). He played a magnificient Julius Caesar; IMHO he’s the best Caesar I’ve seen in screen, as James Purefoy is the best Mark Anthony (my apologies to the ghost of Marlon Brando). I will never forget the lines with his secretary Posca, which are simply amazing, the repressed pain on learning of his daughter’s death and, of course, the assassination scene in the Ides of March.
Thanks for the great comments! I’m not crazy about a mustache on him, nor stubble, but I have come to enjoy the full beard. Of course I agree about Caesar (and Antony). The two had such perfect chemistry. Also the scenes with Posca were priceless. Whenever Himself gets too stubbly, I always ask, “Where is Posca when he’s wanted?”
First time I’ve seen him rocking a beard but boy he looks good! I must know, what colour are his eyes? Hazel? Very unusual.For some reason I’m tickled to know he and Liam are great mates. Finally, to show I am a woman of excellent taste, I will say that I watched the Tomb Raider movie for Ciaran first and Gerard Butler second. Handsome though Gerard is, Ciaran still beats him in my book. My eyeballs enjoyed this post very much.
His eyes are hazel, part brown and part green. Just like yours truly 🙂
You are most certainly a woman of excellent taste, and I could not agree more about priorities when watching TR. Actually, I had forgotten that Gerard Butler was in it! He is very charming but no match for Himself. As I recall, the “safari” outfit he wore in this film was voted an all time favourite by the ladies on the CH message board…
guess i hafta “go back” & watch “there will … blood” again. me ‘n spousie kind of “collect” actors/tresses ‘before they were famous’ and have noticed CH for a while. however, i have “had a thing” for cate blanchett since the 1990’s … (sigh)
Cate is wonderful! Mr. H. only has a small role in TWBB–much of it was cut. The DVD contains a deleted scene between him and a little girl in the oilfield which I liked very much.
I think he’s a great actor, who is often underrated. Didn’t realise how prolific he was.
Indeed, he is underrated. But fortunately there are a few discerning souls out there 🙂
Gosh, just found this (being a relative CH newbie who’s watched him over the decades without really knowing who he was!) Unlike yourself, I LOVE the stubble and long hair and yes, he rocks that beard. HATE neckties so the way he usually pulls his clothes on suits me 🙂 Must be hard for actors in the public eye to age, bombarded as they are with photos of themselves as sprightly 40 year olds. Ciaran is allowing himself to look old lately (just like Meself) which is fine by me and brave of him, I think. Those expressive eyes will always be there, though ….
Jan, thanks so much for your comment! If you search his name on my blog, you will find MANY more posts about him : )
I think he has aged very well and didn’t really hit his peak until well after 40. But he’s also a sweetheart of a fellow, a very kind person too. And that’s why I will always admire him (plus his lovely hazel eyes–those are still the same).
And I quite agree, the older Ciaran appeals to me much more. I think it’s amazing you won’t find a bad word from his peers about him, which speaks to the man – very rare. Adore that Irishness. I’ve realised over the years that men who have sisters rather than brothers are more often than not lovely guys who relate well to women – certainly true in his case, it seems, and then there’s Liam as well …. hmm, must be true then!!
Very true about the sisters. They are Irish sisters. AND elder sisters!!! That means he is accustomed to women who speak their minds, and not threatened by them. All to the good : )
PS I wonder if he’s a Paco Rabanne man …. ?? For Cate Blanchett to say that, it can’t be your run of the mill aftershave (thank God!) Until I read that, I hadn’t really thought about him having a wonderful smell about him but how lovely is that (to add to everything else….) ♥
I don’t know but the idea of getting close enough to smell his aftershave is making me lightheaded : )
Absolutely, LOL!! ♥♥