Manchester United’s Roy Keane holds special place in Cillian Murphy’s heart, says ‘Oppenheimer’ star

Irish actor Cillian Murphy, known for his role in "Oppenheimer," won the Best Actor Academy Award. He hails from Cork, Ireland, alongside soccer legend Roy Keane, whom Murphy greatly admires.

Chirag

March 13, 2024

Cilian Murphy Calls Out Roy Keane As His Favourite — Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic and Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

The Irish actor triumphed at the Academy Awards, securing the Best Actor title for his remarkable portrayal in Oppenheimer, while Christopher Nolan’s production clinched a total of seven prestigious awards on Sunday evening. A native of Cork, Ireland, Murphy, aged 47, shares his birthplace with the revered ex-Manchester United player, Roy Keane, aged 52. Despite Murphy’s current prominence in the entertainment industry, he humbly acknowledges Keane’s immense stature.

During the lead-up to the Oscars, the Peaky Blinders star was questioned about his status as the most renowned figure from Cork. In response, Murphy deferentially stated, “I mean, to me, no one will be more famous than Roy Keane coming out of Cork. I’m a big Roy Keane fan, so he’s always number one for me.”

Despite Murphy’s admiration for Keane, reports suggest that the acclaimed Hollywood actor is a supporter of Liverpool Football Club. In 2020, the renowned actor was invited to Anfield alongside his sons, and Liverpool’s star player, Virgil van Dijk, acknowledged Murphy as one of the most notable individuals in his contacts list.

Looking ahead, Murphy is gearing up for two film adaptations where he will serve as both producer and lead actor: the historical drama “Small Things Like These” and “Steve,” a collaboration with Netflix. Additionally, he is slated to reprise his role in the sequel to “28 Days Later,” titled “28 Years Later.”