Francis Cronin is an Irish actor, writer, director, and producer whose work has been covered by Variety, Deadline, Collider, and The Hollywood Reporter. He co-directed the TIME Studios documentary The Ascent, which world-premiered in competition at SXSW and won the 2026 Audience Award for Documentary Feature (also nominated for the Grand Jury Award).

As an actor he appears opposite Bruce Willis in Deadlock (2021) and in the Lionsgate-released Detective Knight: Independence (2023). He plays Danny Clogan—Kevin James’s sidekick—in the action-comedy Guns Up (2025), alongside Christina Ricci, Luis Guzmán, and Oscar winner Melissa Leo. The film was theatrically released by Vertical, later topped streaming charts on Paramount+, and received coverage in Variety, Deadline, Collider, and more.

A full-scholarship graduate of the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Hollywood, Cronin is also an established stand-up comedian who performs in English, French, and Spanish. He has toured and opened for Kevin James, Kev Adams, Jay Leno & Dana Carvey, shared stages with Jay Leno, Bill Burr, Jeff Garlin, and performed for audiences ranging from intimate clubs to crowds of 5,000 across the United States and Europe. He has collaborated with multiple Saturday Night Live alumni on the syndicated comedy series by Fred Wolf - This Just In.

Before relocating to Los Angeles, Cronin built a national profile in Ireland through his YouTube channel GlowPunk, documenting his outdoor adventures, and as star and writer of the hit Irish/UK series The Boys. His early accolades include the People’s Choice Award at the WAFF Awards (2012) and an Honorary Headcase Award (2013). In the U.S. his early work included appearances on Hulu (LaughsTV), Facebook Watch (Starter Pack), and BlackPills’ (Super High). He has hosted live interviews for The Hollywood Reporter and was a core member of a viral sketch ensemble that consistently generates tens of millions of monthly views.

He served a tour with the United Nations Quick Reaction Forces in the jungles of Liberia West Africa, and later earned an Officer’s Commission from the President of Ireland, receiving the prestigious ARCO Tactical Sword for Leadership for Outstanding Performance as a Cadet.

As an Ambassador for Homeless Health Care Los Angeles Cronin used his signature media project Rough Set which merges military survival skills, stand-up, and acting to raise funds for homelessness initiatives in LA and Ireland.