Biography of Barry Keoghan
Barry Keoghan is an Irish actor best known for the films "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," "Dunkirk," and "Saltburn" He won a BAFTA award for his role in "The Banshees of Inisherin."
Childhood and Youth
Many actors hit the jackpot from day one—born into celebrity families or with wealthy parents ready to bankroll their dreams. Barry wasn't one of those lucky kids, and his childhood was anything but carefree.The future actor was born on October 17, 1992, in Dublin. Dublin was in the grip of a devastating drug epidemic at the time—illegal substances flooded the streets, creating a horrifying surge in heroin addiction. Barry's mom was raising him and his younger brother Eric on her own when she too fell victim to drug addiction. The boys knew nothing about their father.
When Barry turned 12, his mother—still only around thirty—died from a drug overdose.Barry Keoghan...My cousin, whom I call my sister, was 15 and gave up her bedroom for us, sleeping in the room with my aunt. I owe them all a lot.
Barry seemed to inherit his complicated personality from his mother. He grew up as a real rebel. He was constantly acting up at school, had zero interest in studying, and would rather hang out with friends than crack open a book. The only subject he liked was history because the teacher told interesting stories.
First Roles
Initially, Barry dreamed of becoming an athlete—he excelled at both boxing and football—but fate had different ideas. One day, he spotted an ad in a shop window: an acting studio needed amateur actors for a small part in a crime film. Barry passed the audition and appeared in a minor role in Mark O'Connor's film "Between the Canals." His debut happened in 2011, and afterward he decided to dedicate himself to filmmaking.
Career Blooming
That same year, following his breakthrough in "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," Barry landed a role in Christopher Nolan's epic war drama "Dunkirk."
Unfortunately, Barry's big Joker scene ended up on the cutting room floor. Director Matt Reeves explained, "His time has not yet come."Playing the Joker is very scary. Heath Ledger is the gold standard for me. But there are many people to draw inspiration from. But it's crucial to bring your own energy to the character. That's what I try to do with any role—I play it my way. Returning to the topic, I don't want to box myself in or stick to one specific method. I'm just evolving. I try to show my interpretation of the character.
Barry Keoghan's Personal Life
Barry was previously in a relationship with Shona Guerin, but the couple split in 2020. After going their separate ways, Barry met Alyson Kierans in 2021. She's slightly older than Barry and works as a dentist.
Barry Keoghan Now
Among Keoghan's recent works is the series "Masters of the Air," produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Barry stars alongside Austin Butler, Callum Turner, and others. The series tells the story of pilots during World War II, with Barry playing one of the lead roles.
