The Descent: Part 2
2009 · Movie
as Vaines
Gavan O'Herlihy
1951-07-29
•
Dublin, Ireland
Gavan O’Herlihy (29 July 1951 – 15 September 2021) was an Irish actor whose career spanned film, television, and stage, marked by a distinctive presence and a talent for commanding roles. Born in Dublin to actor Dan O’Herlihy and artist Elsie Bennett, he spent his early years between Ireland and the United States, eventually attending Phillips Academy Andover and later the University of California, where he excelled as a champion tennis player before turning fully toward acting. O’Herlihy first gained attention as Chuck Cunningham in the early episodes of Happy Days, a role he deliberately left behind to avoid being typecast in light comedic parts. He instead built a diverse and often hard‑edged body of work, appearing in major productions including Never Say Never Again (as the villainous Jack Petachi), Superman III, Death Wish 3, Willow (as the warrior Airk Thaughbaer), and the acclaimed miniseries Lonesome Dove. His television career was equally varied, with appearances in Twin Peaks, Star Trek: Voyager, The Six Million Dollar Man, Murder, She Wrote, and numerous British productions after relocating to the UK. Across more than fifty screen credits, O’Herlihy became known for portraying complex, often formidable characters — soldiers, outlaws, antagonists, and men with a dangerous edge — roles he embraced for the challenge and dramatic weight they offered. Off‑screen, he was regarded as thoughtful, private, and deeply committed to his craft, preferring character work over celebrity. He died in Bath, England, on 15 September 2021 at the age of 70, reportedly of natural causes.
Filmography
Cruise of the Gods
2002 · Movie
as Mickey
Butterfly Man
2002 · Movie
as Bill Kincaid
18 Wheels of Justice
2000 · TV Show
Prince Valiant
1997 · Movie
as King Thane
Sharpe: The Legend
1997 · Movie
as Leroy
Top of the World
1997 · Movie
as Lieutenant Logan
Jonathan Creek
1997 · TV Show
as Hal Drucker
Midsomer Murders
1997 · TV Show
as George Arlington
The Shooter
1995 · Movie
as Dick Powell
Star Trek: Voyager
1995 · TV Show
as Maje Jabin
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
1994 · TV Show
as John Garrideb / James Winter
The Last Outlaw
1993 · Movie
as Marshal Sharp
Sharpe's Eagle
1993 · Movie
as Captain Thomas Leroy
Sharpe
1993 · TV Show
as Cpt. Leroy
Conagher
1991 · Movie
as Chris Mahler, Cowboy
Twin Peaks
1990 · TV Show
as Officer Preston King
Red King, White Knight
1989 · Movie
as Clancy
Tales from the Crypt
1989 · TV Show
as Richard
Lonesome Dove
1989 · TV Show
as Dan Suggs
Willow
1988 · Movie
as Airk
China Beach
1988 · TV Show
A Killing on the Exchange
1987 · TV Show
as Dan Maitland
Death Wish 3
1985 · Movie
as Manny Fraker
The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission
1985 · Movie
as Conrad E. Perkins
Space Riders
1984 · Movie
as Ron Harris
Sherlock Holmes
1984 · TV Show
as John Garrideb / James Winter
Cover Up
1984 · TV Show
Superman III
1983 · Movie
as Brad Wilson
The Secret Adversary
1983 · Movie
as Julius P. Hersheimmer
Never Say Never Again
1983 · Movie
as Jack Petachi
Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime
1983 · TV Show
as Julius P. Hersheimmer
Matt Houston
1982 · TV Show
as Michael Sheridan
We'll Meet Again
1982 · TV Show
as Capt Red Burwash
A Rumor of War
1980 · TV Show
as Stanton
Mark Twain: Beneath the Laughter
1979 · Movie
as Young Clemens
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force
1978 · Movie
as Art Stinson
A Wedding
1978 · Movie
as Wilson Briggs
A Death in Canaan
1978 · Movie
as Father Mark
The Amazing Spider-Man
1978 · TV Show
as David
The Ghost of Cypress Swamp
1977 · Movie
as Big Bob Landers
The Bionic Woman
1976 · TV Show
The California Kid
1974 · Movie
as Tom
The Healers
1974 · Movie
Happy Days
1974 · TV Show
as Chuck Cunningham
The Six Million Dollar Man
1974 · TV Show
as Dan
Police Woman
1974 · TV Show
as Gordon Stuart
Call to Danger
1973 · Movie
as Mechanic
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
1970 · TV Show
as Josh McBride (as Gavin O'Herlihy)
Marcus Welby, M.D.
1969 · TV Show
as Herb Frane
