Dublin star Colin Farrell has finally received an Oscar nomination for his best actor for his role in the mega-hit The Banshees of Inisherin.
Just weeks ago Farrell also nabbed the Best Actor Golden Globe in a Musical or Comedy for the same role. On Tuesday, the Oscar nominations were revealed with Colin Farrell receiving a nod for the Best Actor award while co-stars Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan were nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and Kerry Condon was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
The 46-year-old actor was once known as a bit of a wild man in Hollywood, but in recent years he has kept a very low profile. Here's everything you need to know about Colin Farrell - from his personal life with his two beloved sons, career success, and more.
Read more: Major Irish success at Oscar nominations with Colin Farrell and Paul Mescal up for Best Actor
Dublin upbringing and early acting career
Colin Farrell was born on May 31, 1976, in Castleknock in Dublin, to his parents, Rita and Eamon Farrell. He also has an older brother, Eamon, and two sisters Claudine (who works as his personal assistant) and Catherine.
His father Eamon ran a health food shop and played football for Shamrock Rovers. Colin's uncle Tommy also played for Rovers.
Colin went to school at St Brigid's National School, and in secondary school he went to all-boys private school Castleknock College, followed by Gormanstown College in Co Meath.
Rise to fame
Colin's older brother encouraged him to join The Gaiety School of Acting from where he dropped out after he had his first big break acting in Irish TV show Ballykissangel playing the role of Danny Byrne throughout 1998 and 1999. The Dublin star would later make his film debut in the drama The War Zone in 1999.
He was first discovered in Hollywood from his role in Tingerland in 2000, and two years later he was cast in Minority Report alongside Tom Cruise. Afterward, Colin enjoyed box office success between 2002-2003 with acclaim for his roles in Phone Booth, The Recruit and S.W.A.T.
However, in 2004 there was disappointment for the Dublin star after the Hollywood blockbuster Alexander was considered a "flop" at the box office. But Colin would follow up with a huge hit, working on In Bruges in 2009 alongside co-star Brendan Gleeson and director Martin McDonagh. Critics hailed the movie as one of Colin's best to date, and he got his first ever Golden Globe for the role also that year, firmly cementing his status as an A-lister.
Huge Hollywood success
The massive success from In Bruges was just the beginning for Colin, and he would go on to receive acclaim for his roles in Horrible Bosses (2011), Fright Night (2011), Total Recall (2012) and The Lobster (2015). He would also star in the hit Killing of Sacred Deer alongside fellow Banshees star Barry Keoghan in 2019.
In 2022, Colin also brought the dramatic real-life Thai boys' soccer team cave rescue to the big screen, along with a role as the Penguin in The Batman (2022). But the Irish star is best known recently for his starring role in The Banshees directed, once again, by McDonagh.
Children and relationships
Colin Farrell is proud dad to two boys, son James Padraig now 19 was born in 2003 to Colin and American model Kim Bordenave. He then became a father for the second time in October 2009 to son Henry Tadeusz, with Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curuś
Four years after his birth, Colin revealed that James was born with Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder with symptoms including intellectual and developmental disability, seizures, jerky movements and sleep disturbances. Speaking about his son, James, Colin said: "[I am] incredibly blessed to have him in my life."
After his big win at the Golden Globes, Colin gave a nice shout out to his two sons who he called the “loves of his life” in his 2023 Golden Globes acceptance speech. He said: “My kids at home are watching this, James and Henry, the loves of my life. I love you so much.”
In terms of romantic relationships, Colin's most recent girlfriend was reported to be Kelly McNamara. The pair are believed to have been dating on and off since 2017, with the latest report of the couple being together in 2021.
Net Worth
After starring in major Hollywood films such as The Gentlemen, In Burges, The Lobster and many more, it is estimated that Colin Farrell is worth a whopping €80 million. The Dublin actor splits his time between L.A. and Dublin, and he often visits his family at home.
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