John Kavanagh

With his strong jawline, large eyes and almost patrician bearing, it is fitting that Irish character actor John Kavanagh was perhaps best known for his role as Cardinal Campeggio, England's last protective cardinal, in the television drama "The Tudors" (Showtime 2007-2010). Kavanagh's illustrious entertainment career began as an in-demand stage performer in Ireland and the United Kingdom. His film, breakthrough came with a leading role opposite Brenda Fricker in the drama "The Ballroom of Romance" (1982), which was followed by the indie "Attracta" (1983) and the made-for-television movie "The Country Girls" (1984). In the 1990s, Kavanagh aged into character roles, including key parts in the drama "Widow's Peak" (1994) and the Mel Gibson epic "Braveheart" (1995). The story of William Wallace was one of several historical epics; prior to being cast in "The Tudors," Kavanagh was featured as Parmenion, an old general, in Oliver Stone's big-budget blockbuster "Alexander" (2004), which featured Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins and Val Kilmer. Despite the star power of the cast, the movie did not fare well at the box office, and Kavanahgh followed his performance in "Alexander" with a role in the Brian de Palma historical thriller "The Black Dahlia" (2006), which was also a commercial disappointment.