who he is, life, film, wife |iO Donna

Cand he did it. In his first Oscar nomination, Cillian Murphy triumphed in the Best Actor category thanks to Oppenheimer by Christopher Nolan.

Shy and reserved, the actor took the stage at the Dolby Theater to thank Nolan, colleagues of the five, family and being a proud Irishman. «This film was the most incredible experience of the last 20 years of my life», he described the long work layered in the film, to then focus on the ambiguity of the Oppenheimer character.

And that is that today we live – for better or for worse – in a world created by the scientist’s discovery of the atomic bomb: «And so I want to dedicate this award to those who are committed to bringing peace to the world.”

Cillian Murphy won the Best Actor Oscar for Oppenheimer

Born in Cork, Ireland, in 1976, Cillian Murphy grows up in a suburb of the city together with his brothers Páidi and Arci and his sisters Sile and Orla. He is the son of an American school inspector and a teacher of Scandinavian origin – from whom he inherits his children gorgeous blue eyes –, after college he begins to take an interest in theatre.

At the same time, in 1994, he founded the band The Sons of Mr. Green Genes – where he sings and plays bass – together with his brother Pàidi and the group achieves a remarkable success at home. To the point that some record companies came forward to produce their album, an offer which however was rejected by the group. Also because Cillian, in the meantime, he has decided that his future will be acting and begins to make inroads acting in a handful of British independent films.

Then, in 2002, the turning point comes with Danny Boyle when the director of Trainspotting he wants that protagonist of the film 28 days laterpost-apocalyptic horror low budget which, unexpectedly, gets a huge success at the box office all over the world.

An Irishman in Hollywood

Thanks to Boyle’s film, Cillian’s name also began to circulate in the United States and in 2003 he obtained some important roles in successful films such as Return to Cold Mountain And The girl with the Pearl Earring. Able to pass naturally from roles from door boy to problematic characters with a touch of madnessin 2005 he consolidated his fame with the role of Transgender Kitten in Neil Jordan’s film Breakfast on Pluto. Interpretation that gives him the first Golden Globes nomination as Best Leading Actor.

In the same year also the master of horror Wes Craven is impressed by his acting skills and casts him for the role ofPsychopathic killer Jackson in the high-altitude thriller Red Eye together with Rachel McAdams. Where Cillian once again confirms all your talent and her “transformist” skills.

The partnership with Christopher Nolan

For the actor, 2005 was not only the year of confirmation of his talent but also of his meeting with the English director. For which he will star in 6 films. The two meet for the first time casting for the role of Batman in Batman Beginsthe first film of the trilogy The dark Knight directed by Nolan.

However, the role of the superhero is won by Christian Bale but Cillian’s audition impresses Nolan so much that the director decides to entrust him with the part of Dr. Crane, aka the evil Scarecrow. A character who will also return in the two sequels.

A great relationship of friendship and professional esteem was born with Nolan and Cillian becomes a constant presence on the sets of the English director. Between a Batman and the other in fact, Nolan calls him for Inception in 2015 and two years later he entrusted him with the role of a soldier victim of post traumatic stress in Dunkirk. Until 2023 when he is finally the absolute protagonist of a film by his friend Chris: Oppenheimer.

The role of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders

Before Oppenheimer However, in 2013 Cillian was cast in the role of protagonist of the series – duration 6 seasons – Peaky Blinders, where he plays the role of Irish criminal Thomas Shelby. Interpretation that makes it a name (finally) known to the general public.

Set in the 1920s in Birmingham, the series tells the adventures of the Peaky Blinders, that is a gang of criminals who, after the rubble of the First World War, carry out shady deals with the Birmingham Boys and the Sabini gang. Going to war with the mafia and other criminal organizations of the time.

Thomas Shelby is the undisputed protagonist, an ambiguous character who manages to calibrate his intelligence, ambition and violence to get what he wants. The events and characters of the series revolve around him like planets.

The absolute centrality of the character is given, as well as by masterful interpretation by Murphyalso from charm of the anti-hero and the actor is truly excellent at bringing together in his characterization a cold and calculating character and a hidden emotional sphere full of fragility.

The Oscar won for Oppenheimer

«Cillian’s eyes were the only ones I knew capable of conveying such intensity». These are the words that Christopher Nolan uttered to those who asked him why he had chose Murphy as the protagonist of his film. A choice that, before the film came out last summer, had been greeted with a little skepticism. Also because Murphy, despite Peaky Blindershe had never achieved the “stature” of a leading actor in such a big budget film.

However, the actor’s extraordinary performance silenced everyone detractors saw the incredible ability to embody a much discussed figure like the American physicist, father of the atomic bomb, Robert J. Oppenheimer. Tragic character who first lets himself be carried away by his love of discovery; except then worry about the harmful effects of his research. A burden that will haunt him for his entire life. Cillian outlines perfectly a profound man, full of nuances and contradictions but above all crushed by ambition and the subsequent sense of guilt. It was therefore inevitable that he received an Oscar for his first nomination as Best Leading Actor.

His wife Yvonne McGuinness

Together since 1996, the two they meet at a concert of Cillian’s band and they get married about ten years later. Parents of two childrenMalachy and Carrick, the couple lives in Dublin and it is very confidential. We know who Yvonne is a visual artist and that his installations incorporate film, performance, sculptural and textile elements, sound and writing.

With his wife and children, Cillian lives as normal a life as possible, as he stated some time ago in an interview. «I take the bus, I take the subway, I go to the supermarket to buy milk. In short, I do normal things” and then continues “I would hate it if this became impossible for me. As an actor you are supposed to play a normal person, so it is essential to live like one.”

In another interview to GQ he said important words for his Yvonne. «Work-life balance is difficult. I have an amazing wife and I couldn’t do it without her and his understanding. But it’s a struggle. I think it is for every father whose work often takes him away from home.”

Cillian Murphy new 007?

After the departure of Daniel Craig, in the last two years they are Lots of names have been circulating to collect the legacy of the legendary James Bond. From Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Regé-Jean Page until Tom Hardy and Richard Madden. Well, forget them because according to the British tabloid The Sunthe new big favorite is Cillian Murphy.

In fact, it seems that the producers of the saga are convinced that he is the new Bond, especially after the exploit of Oppenheimer. Cillian’s name was also “blessed” by compatriot Pierce Brosnanthe beloved interpreter of 007 from 1995 to 2002 in films such as GoldenEye And Tomorrow never dies.

In fact, last week, at Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles, speaking to the BBC, Brosnan had his say on the subject. «Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond on Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, Brosnan said and if a former James Bond says so, you can trust it.

iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED