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Cillian Murphy

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Cillian Murphy
File:Cillian murphy.jpg
Cillian Murphy in a promo shot for Sunshine (2007 film)
Born
Cillian Murphy
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
SpouseYvonne McGuinness

Cillian Murphy (Irish: Cillian Ó Murchú, May 25, 1976) is an Irish actor known for his distinctively blue eyes[1] and rising star status. Cillian is an Irish name which is anglicised Killian; both spellings are pronounced (Killyann). He is best known for his roles as Jim in 28 Days Later and The Scarecrow in Batman Begins.

Early life

Murphy was born in Douglas, Cork in Ireland. He attended the Presentation Brothers College, Cork, and later studied law at University College Cork (UCC). Initially his interest in performing was led by music. He played guitar with a Frank Zappa influenced band called Sons of Mr. Greengenes. However, by the time he left college his primary interest was acting. His first major role was in the UCC Drama Society production of Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme. He went on to appear on the professional stage in Disco Pigs, directed by Pat Kiernan and written by Enda Walsh.

After touring with Disco Pigs in London, Edinburgh and Cork, he left UCC without graduating.

Career

File:Cillian1.jpg
Cillian Murphy as Jim from 28 Days Later.

Disco Pigs was Murphy's first big break. He was cast in the central role of Pig in Corcadorca's 1996 production of Enda Walsh's original play. He later reprised that role for the 2001 feature film version by Kirsten Sheridan. Also, he wrote and sang the song So New for the soundtrack. He was also well-known from his role in Intermission.

However, it was not until Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later became a sleeper hit in the USA in 2003, that the bigger studios and directors started to take notice. As for the actor's full-frontal nudity in the film, Murphy claimed he was perfectly comfortable doing nudity if the role called for it.

In recent years he has had smaller parts in such Hollywood films as Girl with a Pearl Earring and Cold Mountain. 2005 was the year that brought Murphy into more recognition with his performance as Dr. Jonathan Crane (also known as The Scarecrow) in Batman Begins and his role as Jackson Rippner in Red Eye. Murphy received a nomination for the Best Villain honor at the 2006 MTV Movie Awards for his performance in Batman Begins, but lost to Hayden Christensen for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

File:RedEye05.jpg
Cillian as Jackson Rippner in Red Eye along with Rachel McAdams

He originally auditioned for the role of Batman (Bruce Wayne) in Batman Begins. Though the part was eventually given to Christian Bale, director Christopher Nolan was reportedly very impressed with Murphy's audition and persuaded him to take the role of Crane. It is not known if the character of Dr. Crane will appear in the upcoming sequel, though Murphy has stated that he would be glad to reprise the character if asked.

In 2005 he starred in the movie Breakfast on Pluto, based on the novel of the same title by Patrick McCabe. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in Musical or Comedy for this movie, yet he failed to garner an Academy Award nomination. He lost the Golden Globe vote to Joaquin Phoenix for his role in Walk the Line. He also starred as Damien in Ken Loach's film The Wind That Shakes the Barley, another movie in which his performance was highly praised. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

At present he has just finished playing the lead role in John Kolvenbach's comedy "Love Song" in London's West End. He is also filming a romantic comedy, Watching the Detectives and is reportedly attached to the movie, Telepathy.

Personal life

Murphy married his long term girlfriend Yvonne McGuinness (b. 1972), in August 2004 in Provence, France. The couple live in London, England, with their son Malachy (b. December 4, 2005).

According to Entertainment Weekly magazine, he was #3 of "The Most Valuable Players of Summer 2005", a list for entertainers who have outstanding breakthrough performances for the year 2005. He was placed behind Terrence Howard and Matt Dillon. The magazine went on to compare him with Robert Mitchum.

Filmography

Credits as a stage actor

References

External links

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