He may have missed out on the Best Actor Award at this year’s Golden Globes, but his role in Saltburn has helped Barry Keoghan in another surprising way.
The actor, 31, has revealed that playing infatuated murderer Oliver Quick has helped people stop looking at him as just a ‘freak child-man.’
The psychological thriller, which also stars Australian actor Jacob Elordi, has set the internet ablaze with a series of shocking scenes which sees Oliver’s obsession with Jacob’s character Felix get incredibly out of hand.
After filming ‘that’ bath tub scene and Barry’s improvised graveyard moment, the Irish actor opened up about how public perception of him has changed since the film’s release.
Speaking to GQ about audiences seeing him in a different light, he said: ‘It’s nice, man. It’s nice not just being looked at as the weird-looking guy, the unique f*****g freaky little freak man-child, freak child-man, whatever you want to call it.’
Barry Keoghan, 31, has revealed his role in Saltburn helped people stop perceiving him as just a ‘freak child-man’, in a new GQ interview (pictured on Sunday at the Golden Globes)
After filming ‘that’ bath tub scene and Barry’s improvised graveyard moment, the Irish actor opened up about how public perception of him has changed since the film’s release
He continued: ‘My prettiness didn’t get me this far,’ but admitted he realises being someone audiences want to look at ‘opens up other lanes for me – it’s part of the leading man thing’.
He added: ‘Little freak child-man era, as we call it. And now I’m just Man. Freak-Man. Man-Freak.’
Despite being 31, Barry plays an Oxford University student who becomes obsessed with his wealthy classmate, Felix, and heads to Saltburn to stay with Felix’s family for the summer.
Barry’s acting career began in 2011 when he applied for a role in Between the Canals – an Irish film following the life of three hardened criminals.
He then went on to study acting at The Factory in Dublin before appearing in the Irish soap Fair City at the age of 18.
His major breakthrough came when he landed a role in the second world war film Dunkirk in 2017 where he portrayed the character George Mills.
Since then he has appeared in a string of famous films including The Batman, Eternals, American Animals, the TV series Chernobyl, and the Golden Globe winning The Banshees of Inisherin, which has seen him tipped for an Oscar nomination.
Barry also revealed that after his son Brando was born during filming, he only received one day off.
Barry plays an Oxford University student who becomes obsessed with his wealthy classmate, Felix (Jacob Elordi, 26, pictured in November 2023), and heads to stay with Felix’s family
Barry starred alongside Colin Farrell in the Golden Globe winning film The Banshees of Inisherin
His major breakthrough came when he landed a role in the second world war film Dunkirk in 2017 where he portrayed the character George Mills
Barry he only got one day off from filming Saltburn for the birth of his son Brando with now ex-girlfriend Alyson Kierans in August 2022
Now 17 months, Barry’s first child was born in August 2022, right in the middle of shooting for Saltburn.
Speaking to GQ about becoming a father he admitted: ‘They gave me a day off. Day off, and straight on to night shoots and night feedings – boom!
‘It was probably the best time of my life, to be quite fair. Havin’ a baby boy and leading a movie. It was the best time of my life.’
The actor shares Brando with his ex-girlfriend Alyson Kierans, a dentist whose father is from County Cavan.
Just months after getting together he broke the news that the couple were expecting a baby, however they split in July last year after two and a half years.
Asked about reports the couple had gone their separate ways, he told the publication: ‘She’s [Alyson] done a great job, and she’s an incredible mother.’
The publication noted he offered no further information on the split.
Barry has since been linked with singer Sabrina Carpenter following his split from Alyson.
The actor was said to have parted ways with Alyson last summer after the birth of their son
Barry has since been linked with American singer Sabrina Carpenter following his split from Alyson (Sabrina pictured last month)
The rumoured new couple were believed to be going public with their romance at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday night – but Barry hit the red carpet solo.
The actor and US singer Sabrina were first linked last month when they were seen going out for dinner in Los Angeles.
A source told The Sun: ‘Barry thought it was best that Alyson was the first to know about him and Sabrina so she wouldn’t be hurt if she found out on social media.
‘He is spending a lot of time in the States and has invited Sabrina to be his ‘plus one’ at the Golden Globes.
‘Alyson and Barry still communicate for the sake of Brando and he has been open about his new relationship.’
