KIERON MOOREwho died on 15 July 2007 aged 82 was an Irish actor who gave his finest performance alongside Vivien Leigh in Anna Karenina.
An intense, but honest actor, Moore made his film debut in 1944 after appearing on the stage in his native Ireland. He arrived in Hollywood in the mid-50s ready to soak up the lifestyle of the rich and famous, although his career in Los Angeles was a hit and miss affair.
He appeared in over 20 films during s relatively short and modest career, with highlights including The Green Scarf and Day of the Triffids.
Described by film historian Bill Warren as being ‘Handsome in a slightly eccentric fashion’ he successfully caught the eye of one of his co-stars Barbara White on the set of Mine Own Executioner. The pair’s relationship flourished and in 1947 they married.
Kieron Moore was born Kieran O’Hanrahan on 5 October, 1924, in Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland. His father was an Irish nationalist and Mr Moore was brought up in a home where not a word of English was uttered. A fact highlighted in his attendance at an Irish language school in Dublin.
Concentrating on his education, Mr Moore had begun studying medicine but became distracted, after he received praise for his solid performance in a Gaelic play.
After quitting university Mr Moore embarked on a new and more daunting career. His suave good looks and notable presence on stage were enough to land him his first film role playing non-other than an Irishman in The Voice Within.
With his first role out of the way, Mr Moore concentrated on becoming an established actor in Britain before trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood. Still acting on the stage at this point London Film Productions were keen to sign him up to a contract.
Like many actors he acquired a stage name replacing his surname O’Hanrahan with Moore for the sake of his career. Unsurprisingly the name would stick long after his retirement.
In 1948 Mr Moore landed a major role playing Count Vronsky in a film adaptation of Anna Karenina. At 24, it was a strong performance, and studios in Hollywood were beginning to take an interest in the young Irishman.
Travelling to the US with a plan of securing a major Hollywood contract, the 50s were the most successful of Mr Moore’s career although he never quite landed his dream role of becoming a leading man.
He did however star in a number of productions beside some of the biggest acting talent. In 1951 he was cast as Uriah in the biblical epic David and Bathseba starring Gregory Peck.
Mr Moore returned to Britain a somewhat defeated man. During the 1960s only the occasional film did justice to his talent and he began appearing more and more on TV in cameos.
He starred in one episode of Randell and Hopkirk Deceased in 1970 before finally calling time on his career in 1974.
After acting, he turned his attention to filmmaking, directing two documentaries for the Irish television network RTE covering the subject of the third world. His association with the subject matter brought him in to contact with CAFOD with whom he helped raise awareness of poverty in the world.
In later life he became known for his role as associate editor of Catholic paper The Universe before finally retiring to live in France.
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