BJ Hogg, a true Ulsterman, was born in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Ireland, to a family with a rich cultural heritage. His father, William, worked as a plater in the renowned Harland and Woolfe shipyard in Belfast, while his mother, May, ran a general store in their hometown, providing a strong sense of community and entrepreneurial spirit.
BJ's early life was marked by a passion for the arts, and he began his career as a musician, touring with the Big Bands across his native Ireland. This classical training would serve him well in his future endeavors as an actor, writer, and director.
As an actor, BJ's career took him to some of the world's most prestigious stages, including the Belfast Art's and Lyric Theatres, London's Royal Court, the Moscow Arts Theatre, and the National Theatre of Belarus in Minsk. He was the only European actor to be invited to play with an all-Russian cast in the Russian stage play "Threshold" in Moscow Arts Theatre and The National Belarusian State Theatre (Yanka Kupala) Minsk.
BJ's extensive experience in theatre, television, and film has made him a household name and face in the UK and Ireland. He is perhaps best known for his comic role as "Big Mervyn" in the long-running BBC NI comedy series "Give My Head Peace," which aired across the UK and Ireland.
Despite his international success, BJ remains passionate about his native Northern Ireland and has successfully based his career from his home territory. He has co-starred with renowned actors such as Tim Robbins and Bill Murray in City Of Ember, and appeared in films such as Richard Attenborough's Closing The Ring and Steve McQueen's acclaimed Cannes 2008 award-winning Hunger.
BJ has also worked extensively in the theatre, and had the principle role, Robert, in the inaugural tour of the huge new musical On Eagles Wing, which had major European and US tours and then Broadway in 2010. He has had the privilege of working with acclaimed directors including Richard Attenborough, Jim Sheridan, Thaddeus O'Sullivan, Mike Leigh, and Alan Pakula.
As a director, BJ has helmed the UK documentary Richard Attenborough: Master At Work, and as a writer, his second screenplay Promises, Promises, which he also directed, was filmed in the UK, with Ed Burns, Claire Forlani, and Rosemary Harris.
BJ has also been involved in the production of 'Dance Lexi Dance', and played the eponymous 'Lexi Hamilton' in the Oscar-nominated short film 'Dance Lexi Dance', which won several awards, including the Special Jury award at the Aspen film festival.
