Rob’s BIG brother
Bodybuilding award winner takes up acting classes to follow Love/Hate sibling’s footsteps
LOVE HATE star Robert Sheehan proved an acting success as Darren in the hit TV series. Now his older brother Brendan has his sights set on acting, too.
The former Mr Ireland bodybuilder said: ‘ I’m in the Abbey School of Acting, I’m really enjoying it.’
Brendan has already appeared in two short films and is hoping to break the big time. He said he is prepared for the comparisons that will inevitably be drawn between himself and Bafta-winner Robert.
‘It’s going to happen. Robert’s exceptional. Of course I’m sure I will be compared to him. I skype him regularly in England. He’s delighted.’
Brendan and Robert have the same curly hair genes. ‘I often get, “You look like your man in Love/ Hate”. Then if I do say, “Yeah, he’s my brother”, some people don’t’ believe me,’ he laughed.
Brendan worked as a personal trainer and had a variety of businesses before he decided to try his hand at acting.
He was Mr Ireland for three years and his dedication to fitness means that he spends hours a day in the gym.
But these days his time is spent learning lines in the hopes of following in the success of his little brother. Meanwhile Robert, who was killed off in Love/Hate, has moved to London. He is set to appear in no less than five movies this year, including Jet Trash, where he plays the lead role, and in RanDumb, the Adventures of an Irish Guy in LA.
Brendan has been dating South African Joy Hawkridge for some years. Joy owns Whetstone, a hair, make-up and beauty salon on Parliament Street in Dublin. The couple train together for competitions; just last week Joy came third in a European fitness competition after months of training with her fitness beau to get in shape for the event. Brendan won a second place award.
He said that if he has to travel for work as an actor Joy would have no problem joining him.
‘She’s originally from South Africa but has been living here for years. We both love to travel so it wouldn’t be an issue.’
It seems the pair who trains together stay together with Brendan posting online about the training and diet regime.
‘I have to do a show and my girlfriend does too, because we love it and for the sake of the relationship it’s best we diet together :),’ he posted on his fitness page.
Ever the romantic, he sent his stunning girlfriend flowers after her success in the competition.
And this weekend Brendan is toasting his own success with a few beers after finishing an acting course with Louise Kiely Casting in Dublin.