Cillian Murphy is an Irish actor known for his diverse range of roles in both film and theater. He made his professional debut in 1996 in Enda Walsh's play "Disco Pigs", which was later adapted into a film in 2001. Early in his career, he gained recognition for his performances in movies such as "28 Days Later" (2002), "Intermission" (2003), "Red Eye" (2005), "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" (2006), and "Sunshine" (2007). His portrayal of a transgender Irish woman in Breakfast on "Pluto" (2005) earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination. He has established a successful partnership with director Christopher Nolan, appearing as the Scarecrow in "The Dark Knight" Trilogy (2005–2012) and starring in other Nolan films like "Inception" (2010), "Dunkirk" (2017), and the upcoming "Oppenheimer" (2023). He achieved widespread acclaim for his role as Tommy Shelby in the popular BBC series "Peaky Blinders" (2013–2022) and starred in the horror sequel "A Quiet Place Part II" (2020). In addition to his film and television work, he has received accolades for his theater performances, including the Irish Times Theatre Award and Drama Desk Award for his one-man play Misterman in 2011. He is recognized as one of the greatest Irish film actors by The Irish Times. Cillian started his performing career as the lead singer, pianist, and songwriter of a rock band named The Sons of Mr. Green Genes but later turned down a record deal in the late 1990s in order to pursue a career in acting.
Cillian Murphy is an actor known for his roles in movies like "28 Days Later," "Red Eye," and "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," and for his portrayal of Tommy Shelby in the series "Peaky Blinders." He collaborated with director Christopher Nolan and received acclaim for his theater work, including the play "Misterman." Murphy is regarded as one of Ireland's greatest film actors.
Cillian Murphy, born on May 25, 1976, hails from Cork, Ireland, and proudly holds Irish citizenship. He identifies with Irish-white ethnicity and was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. However, after delving into his role in the film Sunshine (2007), he transitioned from being agnostic to self-proclaiming as an atheist. As of 2023, he celebrated his 47th birthday and falls under the zodiac sign of Gemini. Cillian's father, Brendan Murphy, had a career as a civil servant in the Irish Department of Education, while his mother worked as a French teacher. He has three younger siblings named Sile, Orla, and Paidi. Cillian's passion for music began at a young age, as he started writing and performing songs at the tender age of 10. His educational journey led him to Presentation Brothers College, a Catholic secondary school where he paid fees. Although he excelled academically, he occasionally found himself facing suspension for misbehavior. However, as he progressed to his fourth year, he came to the realization that the consequences of his actions outweighed any temporary satisfaction. Despite the school's strong focus on sports, Cillian held little interest in them and felt that artistic pursuits were overlooked. As a result, he enrolled at University College Cork (UCC) in 1996 to study law. Unfortunately, his lack of ambition toward the subject led to failure in his first-year exams, prompting him to reconsider his academic path.
Cillian Murphy's acting career took off after his professional debut in Enda Walsh's "Disco Pigs" in September 1996, where he played the role of a Cork teenager. Originally intended to run for three weeks, the play ended up touring internationally for two years. This led to Murphy leaving university and his band to pursue acting full-time. He starred in other theatre productions, including Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing", "The Country Boy", and "Juno and the Paycock" (both 1999). He began appearing in independent films such as "On the Edge" (2001), and in short films, including "Filleann an Feall" (2000) and "Watchmen" (2001) He reprised his role in the film adaptation of "Disco Pigs" and appeared in "The Way We Live Now" TV mini-series. Murphy relocated from Cork to Dublin and later to London in 2001.
In 2002, Murphy received critical acclaim for his performance as Adam in Neil LaBute's "The Shape of Things" at the Gate Theatre in Dublin. He then landed the lead role in Danny Boyle's horror film "28 Days Later" (2002), playing the character of Jim, a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world. The film became a sleeper hit, introducing Murphy to a wide audience and earning him award nominations. In 2003, he showcased his versatility by portraying Konstantine in a stage production of Chekhov's "The Seagull" at the Edinburgh International Festival and starring as a lovelorn supermarket stocker in Intermission (2003), which became the highest-grossing Irish independent film at the time. Murphy also had minor roles in "Cold Mountain" (2003) and "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (2003). In 2004, he toured with the Druid Theatre Company in "The Playboy of the Western World" and "The Country Boy".
Murphy took on the role of Dr. Jonathan Crane in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" (2005). Although he initially auditioned for the role of Batman, he was cast as Dr. Crane, also known as the Scarecrow. Murphy impressed Nolan with his extraordinary eyes and delivered a memorable performance. In Wes Craven's thriller "Red Eye" (2005), Murphy portrayed the menacing Jackson Rippner, earning praise for his picture-perfect villainous portrayal. He received several award nominations for his villainous roles in 2005 and was recognized as one of Entertainment Weekly's "Summer MVPs". Murphy's transformative performance as Patrick/"Kitten" Braden, a transgender Irish woman in search of her mother, in Neil Jordan's Breakfast on "Pluto" (2005) garnered critical acclaim. He underwent significant preparation for the role, including meeting with transvestites and undergoing physical transformations. Murphy's performance in the film was highly regarded, earning him a Golden Globe nomination and an Irish Film and Television Academy Best Actor Award. In 2006, he starred in "The Wind That Shakes the Barley", a film set during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War, which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and became the most successful Irish independent film at the Irish box office. Murphy's portrayal of Damien O'Donovan, a young doctor turned revolutionary, was praised for his moments of deep stillness and for capturing the character's internal conflict. He received the GQ Actor of the Year award for his work in the film.
Murphy showcased his stage talent in the lead role of Beane in John Kolvenbach's Love Song at the New Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End from November 2006 to February 2007. His performance as the "winsomely cranky" and mentally unstable character earned praise for his magnetic presence and nuanced portrayal. He then starred in Danny Boyle's science fiction film Sunshine (2007) as a physicist-astronaut tasked with reigniting the sun. Murphy also appeared in Paul Soter's romantic comedy Watching the Detectives (2007) opposite Lucy Liu and portrayed Richard Neville in the film Hippie Hippie Shake (2007). He made a brief reappearance as the Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008) before starring in The Edge of Love (2008) alongside Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller. In 2009, Murphy appeared in the short film The Water and the crime dramedy Perrier's Bounty. He returned to the theatre in 2010 for From Galway to Broadway and back again, a production celebrating the Druid Theatre Company's 35th anniversary. Murphy delivered an arresting lead performance in the psychological thriller Peacock (2010), earning acclaim for his gender-bending portrayal. He continued his collaboration with Christopher Nolan by starring as Robert Fischer in Inception (2010) and made an uncredited cameo in Tron: Legacy (2010) as Edward Dillinger Jr.
In 2011, Murphy delivered a captivating performance in the stage monodrama Misterman, directed by Enda Walsh, which earned him critical acclaim and awards. He starred in the British horror film Retreat (2011) and the science fiction film In Time (2011), although the latter received mixed reviews. Murphy portrayed Tom Buckley in the thriller Red Lights (2012) alongside Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver and reprised his role as the Scarecrow in The Dark Knight Rises (2012). He received a British Independent Film Award nomination for his supporting role in Broken (2012). Since 2013, Murphy has captivated audiences as Thomas Shelby in the BBC series Peaky Blinders, for which he received high praise. He made his directorial debut in 2013 with a music video for the band Money. In the following years, Murphy appeared in films such as Aloft (2014), Transcendence (2014), and In the Heart of the Sea (2015). He starred in Free Fire (2016) and Anthropoid (2016), portraying Jozef Gabčík. In Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk (2017), he played a shell-shocked soldier, and in A Quiet Place Part II (2021), he portrayed Emmett. Murphy will star as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Nolan's upcoming film Oppenheimer, set for release on 21st July 2023.
Cillian Murphy is currently married to his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, since mid-2004. Yvonne, who is a visual artist, and Cillian first crossed paths in 1996 when she became part of the Corcadorca Theatre Company during their world tour of Disco Pigs. The couple resided in London for many years, starting in 2001 and continuing until 2015 when they decided to move to Dublin. Together, they have two sons named Malachy (born in December 2005) and Carrick, also known as Aran (born in July 2007). The family enjoys a happy life together. He is straight when it comes to his sexual orientation.
Cillian Murphy is a highly successful actor with a diverse portfolio of movies and TV series. As of 2023, his estimated net worth stands at $25 million, predominantly earned through his thriving career in the entertainment industry. Currently, he earns an impressive annual income of over $2 million. In addition to acting, Murphy has ventured into brand endorsements. He has lent his distinctive voice to notable campaigns, including narrating advertisements for Guinness in 2014 and Guinness Blonde American Lager in 2015. Enjoying the fruits of his success, Murphy leads a lavish lifestyle. Murphy has recently acquired a magnificent $10 million property in Dublin, Ireland, boasting seven bedrooms and an exquisite Victorian design. Situated in a secluded area close to the beach, the luxurious residence offers the privacy and tranquility that the media-shy actor appreciates, allowing him to remain connected with nature. Despite the substantial investment amounting to 20% of his net worth, Murphy maintains confidence that his upcoming role at Oppenheimer will bring him rewarding opportunities in the future. In addition to his impressive real estate holdings, he is an avid car enthusiast, owning a collection of eight luxury vehicles, which account for approximately 3% of his net worth. Among his notable purchases is a stunning $600,000 Red Lamborghini Urus, along with a special anniversary gift to his wife, an Audi A8. His car collection also includes prestigious models such as the Porsche Macan, BMW X7, Mercedes GLC, Ferrari Roma, Nissan GTR, and Jaguar F-Pace, further reflecting his refined taste and appreciation for high-end automobiles.
Cillian Murphy, the talented actor, stands at a height of 5 feet 9 inches or 175 cm. He maintains a weight of approximately 70 kg or 154 lbs. With his dark brown hair and captivating blue eyes, he possesses a striking and alluring appearance. Sporting an average body type, he exudes an attractive and dashing personality. He has a body measurement of 38-14-31 inches (chest-biceps-waist). He has got a healthy body at present. Cillian has a naturally slim physique and prefers outdoor running for exercise. He was a vegetarian for 15 years due to concerns about mad cow disease but started consuming meat again in 2013 for muscle gain. As he turned 40, he became more conscious of healthy habits, including maintaining a regular sleep schedule and avoiding damaging behaviors. He only smokes herbal cigarettes for on-screen roles and has vowed not to undergo extreme weight loss for future roles.
Before embarking on his successful acting career, Cillian Murphy initially pursued a different path. Following his secondary education, Murphy enrolled in law school at University College Cork, showing an initial interest in the legal field. However, after a year, he made the courageous decision to follow his true passion for the arts. Although attending law school, Murphy had always been drawn to acting. His choice to leave law school proved to be a pivotal moment, as it allowed him to fully dedicate himself to pursuing his acting dreams. This leap of faith led to his breakthrough role in the acclaimed thriller and horror film, "28 Days Later," in 2002. The movie garnered widespread praise for Murphy's performance, serving as a launching pad for his successful acting career.
In addition to his acting prowess, Cillian Murphy possesses a hidden talent as a trained musician. While primarily recognized for his outstanding performances on screen, Murphy's musical abilities have been showcased in various films throughout his career. Notably, in the 2006 film "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," Murphy portrayed an Irish Republican Army member who also excelled as a fiddle player. His on-screen musical performances in this and other projects were not only impressive but also authentic, further highlighting his versatility as an artist. Outside of acting, Murphy was a member of a musical band called Sons of Mr. Greengenes, adding another dimension to his artistic repertoire. As a respected actor and accomplished musician, Murphy's multifaceted talents serve as a testament to his creativity, versatility, and dedication to his craft.
Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy share a longstanding professional relationship that spans over many years. Murphy has been a regular collaborator in Nolan's films, having appeared in six of his projects. Their partnership began with the Batman Trilogy, where Murphy portrayed the compelling character of Jonathan Crane, also known as Scarecrow, in the films released in 2005, 2008, and 2012. Their collaboration continued with the mind-bending thriller "Inception" in 2010, followed by the war epic "Dunkirk" in 2017. Most recently, Murphy joined Nolan's upcoming film "Oppenheimer," set to release in 2023. The mutual admiration between the two is evident, with Nolan expressing his appreciation for Murphy's talent, stating, "If I could cast Cillian in every film I ever do, and just lean on him for the rest of my career, I'd be a happy man." Their enduring partnership has resulted in captivating performances and a fruitful creative collaboration that has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
Cillian Murphy is known for his commitment to maintaining a private lifestyle, which includes his decision to not engage with any social media platforms. In an era where social media has become ubiquitous, Murphy stands apart as someone who finds no appeal in joining the online platforms. He has expressed in multiple interviews that he fails to see the attraction of social media and prefers to keep his work life and personal life separate, reserving it for himself and his family. The actor embraces a relatively low-key existence outside of his acting career, prioritizing real-life interactions with fans at events or through traditional media channels. By eschewing social media, Murphy remains steadfast in his desire for privacy and chooses to connect with his audience in more personal and traditional ways.
Cillian Murphy possesses an impressive linguistic ability, making him a polyglot with fluency in multiple languages. Alongside his native English, Murphy is proficient in French, Gaelic, and Irish. It's worth noting that Gaelic and Irish are distinct languages, despite their shared cultural and historical ties. Murphy's language skills showcase his dedication to expanding his linguistic repertoire and embracing different cultures. This linguistic versatility not only enhances his communication abilities but also demonstrates his appreciation for diverse languages and the richness they bring to his acting career and personal life.