He may have missed out on winning Best Actor at this year’s Golden Globes, but his role in Saltburn helped Barry Keoghan in another surprising way.
The actor, 31, has revealed that playing lovelorn killer Oliver Quick has made people stop thinking of him as a ‘freak child man’.
The psychological thriller, which also stars Australian actor Jacob Elordi, has set the internet on fire with a series of shocking scenes in which Oliver’s obsession with Jacob’s character Felix spirals incredibly out of control.
After filming ‘that’ bathtub scene and Barry’s impromptu graveyard moment, the Irish actor opened up about how public perception of him has changed since the film’s release.
Speak with GQ about the audience seeing him in a different light, he said, “It’s fun, man. It’s nice to not just be seen as the weird looking guy, the unique fucking little crazy man-child, the crazy kid-man, whatever you want to call it.”
Barry Keoghan, 31, has revealed in a new GQ interview that his role in Saltburn made people stop seeing him as a ‘freak child man’ (pictured at the Golden Globes on Sunday)
After filming ‘that’ bathtub scene and Barry’s impromptu graveyard moment, the Irish actor opened up about how public perception of him has changed since the film’s release.
He continued, “My beauty hasn’t gotten me this far,” but admitted that he realizes that being someone the public wants to look at “opens up other avenues for me – it’s part of the leading man thing.”
He added: ‘The era of the little crazy children’s men, as we call it. And now I’m just human. Freak Man. Man-Freak.’
Despite being 31, Barry plays an Oxford University student who becomes obsessed with his wealthy classmate Felix and goes 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 about the lives of three hardened criminals.
He then studied acting at The Factory in Dublin before appearing in the Irish soap opera Fair City at the age of 18.
His big break came when he landed a role in the World War II film Dunkirk in 2017, where he played 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 saw him tipped for an Oscar nomination.
Barry revealed that too after his son Brando was born during filming, he was only given 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 goes to stay with Felix’s family
Barry starred alongside Colin Farrell in the Golden Globe-winning film The Banshees of Inisherin
His big break came when he landed a role in the 2017 World War II film Dunkirk, playing the character George Mills.
Barry he was only given one day off from filming Saltburn for the birth of his son Brando with now ex-girlfriend Alyson Kierans in August 2022
Barry’s first child, now 17 months old, was born in August 2022, in the middle of filming for Saltburn.
Speak with GQ about becoming a father, he admitted: “They gave me the day off. Day off, and straight to night shoots and night feedings – boom!
‘It was probably the best time of my life, to be completely honest. Having a son and directing 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, but they split in July last year after two and a half years.
Asked about reports that the couple had gone their separate ways, he told the publication: “She (Alyson) did a great job, and she’s a great mom.”
The publication noted that he provided no further information about the split.
Barry has since been linked to singer Sabrina Carpenter following his divorce from Alyson.
The actor is said to have said goodbye to Alyson last summer after the birth of their son
Barry has since been linked to American singer Sabrina Carpenter following his split from Alyson (Sabrina pictured last month)
It was believed the new couple would make their romance public at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday night, but Barry went solo on the red carpet.
The actor and American singer Sabrina were first linked last month when they were seen going out for dinner in Los Angeles.
A source said The sun: “Barry thought it was best for Alyson to be the first to hear about him and Sabrina so she wouldn’t be hurt if she found out on social media.
‘He spends a lot of time in the United States and has invited Sabrina as his ‘plus one’ to the Golden Globes.
“Alyson and Barry continue to communicate for Brando’s sake and he has been open about his new relationship.”