Smile and Be a Villain is a beautifully written, revealing account of the life of a consummate artist, one of Ireland's most outstanding actors, who has worked with the world's finest (and worst) actors, directors and producers. Filled with anecdotes, serious and not so serious, Ireland's much-loved mimic shares experiences of his childhood, the Irish Civil Service, theater, film, family, and Brendan Behan. This great read is accompanied by a selection of photographs from the earliest years in his acting career, and an appendix showing a selection of the plays, films, and shows in which Toibin has appeared.