Meet Olwen Fouéré, Ireland’s Acclaimed Actress and Writer

Olwen Fouéré is an Irish actress and writer/director in theatre, film, and visual arts who was listed at number 22 on The Irish Times list of Ireland’s greatest film actors in 2020.

Her Early Life, and Education

Olwen Fouéré was born on March 2, 1954, in Ireland. Olwen Fouéré is 70 years old as of 2024. Olwen Fouéré was born to Breton parents, Yann Fouéré and Marie-Magdeleine Mauger, in Galway, Ireland. Fluent in both English and French, Olwen’s education was primarily completed through high school.

Her Career and Awards

Olwen’s illustrious career spans over four decades, with her work being recognized both nationally and internationally. She has made numerous appearances at esteemed venues such as the Abbey Theatre and the Gate Theatre in Ireland, the Royal National Theatre in England, the Bouffes du Nord in Paris, the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, the Sydney Theatre Company in Australia, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

In 1980, she co-founded the avant-garde theatre company, Operating Theatre, with composer Roger Doyle. Later, she established an artistic entity called TheEmergencyRoom for the development of her ongoing projects.

Her work includes her internationally acclaimed RIVERRUN (her adaptation of the voice of the river in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake), her staging of Lessness by Samuel Beckett, her translation and production of Danse, Morob, written for her by the French writer Laurent Gaudé, and her translation and performances of Sodome, My Love.

Olwen has received numerous awards and nominations for her work, including the Irish Times/ESB Best Actress award in 1999, 2000, 2006, and 2011, Dublin Theatre Festival Best Actor award in 2003, and the Dublin Theatre Festival Samuel Beckett Award in 1998. In 2014, she received the prestigious Herald Archangel award of the Edinburgh Festival.

Her Personal Life, Family, and Facts: Parents, Husband, Children, and Height

Olwen was born to Breton parents, Yann Fouéré, a French Breton Nationalist and European federalist, and Marie-Magdeleine Mauger, a housewife. She is the youngest of five children. Olwen is married to David Heap. Standing at a height of 5’4″ (162.56 cm), Olwen is a towering figure in the world of theatre.

Her Net Worth

With a career spanning over four decades, Olwen has amassed a significant net worth. As of 2024, her net worth is estimated to be around $1.8 million to $8 million. Her net worth continues to grow due to her ongoing contributions to theatre, film, and visual arts.