Cillian Murphy, born on May 25, 1976, in Douglas, County Cork, Ireland, is a renowned Irish actor celebrated for his versatile performances across stage and screen. He gained international acclaim for his portrayal of Thomas Shelby in the BBC series Peaky Blinders (2013–2022) and further solidified his status with roles in Christopher Nolan’s films, including Inception (2010), Dunkirk (2017), and Oppenheimer (2023), the latter earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Raised in a family of educators, Murphy initially pursued a career in law at University College Cork but shifted to acting after discovering his passion for performance. He began his acting career with the stage production Disco Pigs in 1996, which later adapted into a film in 2001. Murphy’s early film work includes notable performances in 28 Days Later (2002) and The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006).
Despite his fame, Murphy maintains a private lifestyle, residing in Dublin with his wife, visual artist Yvonne McGuinness, and their two sons. He is known for his reluctance towards the celebrity spotlight, preferring to focus on his craft and family life.
Personal Life
| Field |
Information |
| Original/Real Name |
Cillian Murphy |
| Other/Nickname |
N/A |
| Profession/Occupation |
Actor |
| Birthplace |
Douglas, County Cork, Ireland |
| Nationality |
Irish |
| Age |
48 (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth |
May 25, 1976 |
| Hometown |
Dublin, Ireland |
| Caste/Religion |
Raised Catholic |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign |
Gemini |
| Current career status |
Active |
Physical Appearance
| Field |
Information |
| Height (Centimeters) |
Approximately 175 cm |
| Weight (Kilograms) |
Approximately 70 kg |
| Body Measurements |
N/A |
| Hair Color |
Dark Brown |
| Eye’s Color |
Blue |
Family Relatives & Siblings
| Field |
Information |
| Father’s name |
Brendan Murphy |
| Mother’s name |
Name not publicly disclosed |
| Brother’s name |
Paidi Murphy |
| Sisters’ names |
Sile and Orla Murphy |
Marital Status, Affairs, and Children
| Field |
Information |
| Marital Status |
Married |
| Spouse/Wife |
Yvonne McGuinness |
| Children |
Two sons: Malachy (born 2005) and Aran (born 2007) |
Education Qualification and Schooling/College
| Field |
Information |
| School |
Presentation Brothers College, Cork |
| College/University |
University College Cork (Law, did not complete) |
| Educational Qualification |
N/A |
Controversies
Cillian Murphy maintains a low-profile personal life and has not been involved in significant public controversies.
Favorite Things and Likes & Dislikes
| Field |
Information |
| Favorite Food |
Cheese |
| Favorite Movie |
N/A |
| Favorite Actor |
N/A |
| Favorite Actress |
N/A |
| Favorite Color |
N/A |
| Favorite Designer |
N/A |
| Favorite Destination |
N/A |
| Favorite Cafe |
N/A |
| Favorite Daily Wear Brand |
N/A |
| Favorite Book |
The Ginger Man by J.P. Donleavy |
| Favorite Athlete |
N/A |
Money/Net Worth
| Field |
Information |
| Salary |
Estimated $10 million for Oppenheimer |
| Net Worth |
Approximately $20 million (as of 2025) |
Contact Information
| Field |
Information |
| Official Website |
N/A |
| E-Mail Address |
Not publicly available |
| Phone Number |
Not publicly available |
| House Address |
Dublin, Ireland |
Social Media
| Platform |
Handle |
| Wikipedia |
Cillian Murphy |
| Twitter |
N/A |
| Facebook |
N/A |
| Instagram |
N/A |
Personal Quote
“If you behave like a celebrity, then people will treat you like a celebrity, and if you don’t, they won’t.”
Early Life and Career
Cillian Murphy was born in Douglas, County Cork, Ireland, and raised in a family of educators. He initially pursued a career in law at University College Cork but shifted to acting after discovering his passion for performance. He began his acting career with the stage production Disco Pigs in 1996, which later adapted into a film in 2001. Murphy’s early film work includes notable performances in 28 Days Later (2002) and The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006). His collaboration with director Christopher Nolan began with Batman Begins (2005), leading to roles in Inception (2010), Dunkirk (2017), and Oppenheimer (2023). Murphy’s portrayal of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders (2013–2022) was widely acclaimed and became a defining role in his career. His transformation into J. Robert Oppenheimer in Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023) not only showcased his exceptional depth as an actor but also earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, marking a significant milestone in his cinematic journey.
Current Life/Events:
As of 2025, Cillian Murphy is enjoying an apex in his acting career. Fresh off the massive critical and commercial success of Oppenheimer, he continues to be in demand for top-tier roles across Hollywood and international cinema. Despite this, Murphy remains committed to his roots, often returning to Dublin and maintaining a relatively low profile.
He is also involved in producing and remains passionate about theatre. Fans eagerly await any updates on potential new projects, whether on screen or stage. True to form, Murphy continues to select roles that challenge him artistically rather than chase fame, cementing his status as one of the most respected actors of his generation.
Facts:
- Cillian Murphy was originally the lead singer and guitarist in a rock band called The Sons of Mr. Green Genes before turning to acting.
- He refuses to have a personal social media presence, valuing his privacy.
- Despite being a smoker in many roles, he gave up smoking in real life.
- He’s been a vegetarian for most of his life but returned to eating meat to prepare for Peaky Blinders.
- Murphy doesn’t watch his own performances.
- He’s a fan of literature and music and often cites reading as one of his favorite pastimes.
- He and his wife Yvonne have been married since 2004—a rare long-standing relationship in showbiz.
- His sharp cheekbones and intense eyes have often been cited as his defining physical traits, enhancing his enigmatic on-screen presence.
