Actor Known For Movies Like 'Dunkirk' and 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer'

Barry Keoghan | Biography

Made his acting debut in the television series 'Fair City'

• By Ashna Tamrakar
• Original : October 13, 2021

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Barry Keoghan is an Irish actor best known for his roles in the films like 'Dunkirk,' and 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer.'

Who Is Barry Keoghan?

Barry Keoghan is a film and television actor. In 2011, he made his breakthrough as a recurring character, Dave Donoghue, in the television series Fair City.

However, Keoghan rose to popularity with his horrifying portrayal of Martin, an American teenager taking grisly retribution on intoxicated surgeon Colin Farrell in the 2017 film The Killing of a Sacred Deer. He also earned an Irish 'Film and Television Award' for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated for an 'Independent Spirit Award' for Best Supporting Male.  

Keoghan has also appeared in other movies like Dunkirk, Calm with Horses, and the television program Love/Hate, where he played Wayne, a "heartless cat killer." 

In addition, Keoghan is a Dior ambassador. He was also ranked 27th on The Irish Times' list of Ireland's greatest film performers in 2020. He is also an amateur boxer who represents the Celtic Core. 

How Old Is Barry Keoghan?

Born in Dublin, Ireland on 18 October 1992, Barry Keoghan is 29 years as of 2021.

Childhood & Parents

He spent seven years in foster homes with his brother, Eric Keoghan, in 13 different foster families. He said all his foster homes were very good to him; however, it was not a pleasant experience. "It's only when you're older, you realise: we were on our own in there. As kids you don't know what's happening. You're here. Then you're in the next house. But the families were all very good to us. And anybody I've talked to has felt the same. I know years ago the families were sometimes split up, but me and my brother were lucky enough to stay together," he revealed in a 2018 interview with The Irish Times. 

Unfortunately, Keoghan's mother died of a drug overdose when he was 12 years old. He was then taken by his maternal grandmother and aunt in Summerhill from the age of thirteen. 

Early Career

Keoghan acted in school plays as a kid, but he was expelled for messing around. Then in 2011, he began professional acting after noticing a casting call for Between the Canals in a local shop window. He responded to the advertisement and played Aido in the film, which was released in 2011. Keoghan then went to The Factory, a local Dublin school, to study acting. 

Movies & Television Series

Keoghan made his on-screen debut the same year in the television series Fair City as Dave Donoghue. He was 18 years old at the time. Two years later, in 2013, Keoghan played Wayne, the "infamous cat killer" in Love/Hate. Keoghan's performance gained him acclaim in Ireland, and he went on to star in '71 the following year. Then in 2015, he appeared in a string of movies, including Traders, Norfolk, and a short film, The Break. In 2016, he was cast in the television miniseries Rebellion and movies like Mammal and Trespass Against Us. 

In 2017, he landed the role in two movies. Keoghan played George Mills in the critically acclaimed film Dunkirk and played Martin, an American teenager taking grisly retribution on intoxicated surgeon Colin Farrell in The Killing of a Sacred Deer.  

The following year, Keoghan portrayed Hobson, an English soldier stationed in Ireland during the Great Famine, Black '47. That same year, he also starred as Spencer Reinhart in American Animals. The movie was based on a real-life burglary of valuable volumes from a university library.

In 2019, Keoghan featured in two episodes of a miniseries Chernobyl as Pavel. In the September of the same year, he appeared in Calm With Horses in the role of Dympna. The movie was also premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. 

Most recently, in 2021, he also appeared in the film The Green Knight as Scavenger. In addition, he was also featured in nine episodes of the television miniseries Masters of the Air as Lt. Curtis Biddick. 

Upcoming Movies

Keoghan has two forthcoming films in late 2021 and 2022. In August 2019, Marvel Studios announced Keoghan would play the role of Druig in the upcoming action-adventure film Eternals, alongside Angelina Jolie. The Chloé Zhao directorial will be released on 5 November 2021. 

Next, he would also appear as Officer Stanley Merkel in Matt Reeves' The Batman, currently under post-production. The DC movie is expected to release on 4 March 2022. 

Dior Brand Ambassador

Keoghan is a Dior ambassador. The team at Dior chose him as a brand ambassador because of his acting abilities, according to creative director Dior Van Assche. 

What Is the Height of Barry Keoghan?

Keoghan stands at the height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.7m) tall. 

Who Is Barry Keoghan's Girlfriend?

Barry Keoghan is currently dating his new girlfriend Alyson Sandro, with whom he went Instagram official in September 2021.

Previously, Keoghan lived in Los Angeles, California, with his ex-girlfriend, Shona Guerin, as of 2019.