The recipient of the Oscar statuette, Cillian Murphy, despite having clinched the accolade for Best Actor, still asserts that Roy Keane remains the foremost figure in their hometown of Cork, Republic of Ireland.
Cillian Murphy: A devoted fan of Roy Keane
Despite numerous accolades, when asked whether he considers himself the most famous compared to figures like Roy Keane and Graham Norton, Murphy replied:
“No one will be more famous than Roy Keane from Cork (Republic of Ireland). I am a passionate fan of Roy Keane, he will always be number one for me. Sorry, Graham.”
Cillian Murphy, born in 1976, hails from an Irish Catholic family. Therefore, it is not surprising that the actor with his emerald green eyes expresses admiration for compatriot Roy Keane – the former football star who made a name for himself at Manchester United Football Club.
Roy Keane spent 13 years with the Red Devils. The Irish legend was part of the Manchester United squad that achieved the historic treble in 1999. Additionally, he also helped the team at Old Trafford secure 17 major and minor trophies, including 1 Champions League, 7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 4 FA Community Shields, and 1 Intercontinental Cup.
“Despite Murphy’s affection for Keane, the actor is reportedly a Liverpool fan after being invited to Anfield in 2020,” The Sun reported.
As for Cillian Murphy, the 47-year-old actor, known for his portrayal of the “father of the atomic bomb” in Oppenheimer, emerged victorious in the Best Actor category. He surpassed heavyweight contenders such as Paul Giamatti, Bradley Cooper, Colman Domingo, and Jeffrey Wright at the 2024 Oscars.
This marks Cillian Murphy’s first Oscar nomination, and he clinched the win convincingly. He is also the third Irish actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, following Daniel Day-Lewis and Barry Fitzgerald.
In addition to the Best Actor award, the film Oppenheimer also swept major accolades with 13 nominations and wins.
“I owe you more than you think. When we made a film about the father of the atomic bomb, the team wanted to pay tribute to the peacekeepers around the world,” Cillian Murphy modestly expressed upon receiving the prestigious award.