Biography: Brian Patrick Friel was born on January 9, 1929 in Knockmoyle, Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland to Patrick "Paddy" Friel and Mary McLoone. He studied for the priesthood before teaching mathematics in Derry. He wrote radio plays for the BBC, and published several short stories. Tyrone Guthrie invited him to the Guthrie Theater in 1963. He co-founded the theater company Field Day with actor Stephen Rea in 1980. He married Anne Morrison, with whom he had four daughters and one son.

Film/TV Credits: Film credits include: "Philadelphia, Here I Come" and "Dancing at Lughnasa." Television credits include: "Philadelphia, ich bin da!" and "The Loves of Cass Maguire."

Other Awards: Received a lifetime achievement award from The Irish Times in 1999.

Trivia:
The marquees of Broadway theaters were dimmed in his honor on December 8, 2015.