Vincent Regan is a Welsh actor known for his work across film, television, and theatre. Born on 16 May 1965 in Swansea, Wales, Regan has built a career spanning more than three decades, with performances ranging from classical theatre and historical dramas to major Hollywood productions and contemporary television.
He is particularly recognizable for playing strong, authoritative characters, including Captain Artemis in 300, King Cepheus in Clash of the Titans, King Simon in The Royals, and Vice Admiral Garp in Netflix’s One Piece.
Regan was born in Swansea to Patrick and Catherine Regan. He attended St Joseph’s College in Ipswich before moving to London after his parents returned to Ireland in 1983.
In London, he trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA), beginning the professional acting career that would eventually take him from British television and theatre to international film productions.
Regan first appeared on British television in 1992, when he joined the fifth series of London’s Burning, playing Don, the love interest of firefighter Kate Stevens.
That same year, he appeared in the detective series A Touch of Frost, playing PC Shelby alongside David Jason.
Alongside his screen work, Regan developed an extensive theatre career. He has performed in more than 15 stage productions, including the role of Achilles in Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida at the Edinburgh International Festival. His background in classical theatre has been an important part of his career and complements his frequent appearances in historical and mythological productions.
Regan began gaining wider international recognition through a series of roles in large-scale historical and action films.
In 2004, he appeared in Troy, playing Eudorus, one of Achilles’ commanders. Two years later, he took on one of his most recognizable roles as Captain Artemis in 300 (2006), Zack Snyder’s stylized epic about the Battle of Thermopylae.
He subsequently appeared as King Cepheus in Clash of the Titans (2010), further establishing his reputation for playing commanding figures in mythology-inspired films.
His film work has also included Lockout and Outside Bet, demonstrating his versatility beyond historical and fantasy productions.
Regan has remained active in British and international television throughout his career.
In 1999, he received an Irish Best Actor nomination for his performance in the miniseries Eureka Street. He later played Marc Antony in the 2005 television miniseries Empire, appearing alongside actors including Emily Blunt and James Frain.
His television credits have included guest appearances in New Tricks and The Musketeers, where he portrayed the Duke of Savoy. He also joined the second series of the BBC fantasy drama Atlantis, playing Dion.
Regan subsequently appeared as King Simon in E!’s The Royals, adding another prominent royal character to his repertoire
One of Regan’s most prominent recent roles came in 2023, when he joined the cast of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece.
He portrayed Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, the formidable Marine officer and grandfather of protagonist Monkey D. Luffy. The role introduced Regan to a new international audience and showcased his ability to combine authority, physical presence, humour, and dramatic intensity.
Garp is a particularly significant character in the One Piece story, and Regan’s performance brought the character’s imposing personality to the live-action series.
