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IMDbPro

Colin Farrell(I)

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Director
IMDbProStarmeter4644
Colin Farrell
Get a quick look at the performances that earned nominations for Actor in a Leading Role at the 95th Academy Awards. Who would you choose between Austin Butler ('Elvis'), Paul Mescal ('Aftersun'), Bill Nighy ('Living'), Colin Farrell ('The Banshees of Inisherin'), and Brendan Fraser ('The Whale')?
Play clip1:01
Oscars 2023 Best Actor Nominees
99+ Videos
99+ Photos
Colin Farrell is one of Ireland's biggest stars in Hollywood and abroad. His film presence has been filled with memorable roles that range from an inwardly tortured hit man, to an adventurous explorer, a determined-but-failing writer, and the greatest military leader in history.

Farrell was born on May 31, 1976 in Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland to Rita (Monaghan) and Eamon Farrell. His father and uncle were both professional athletes, and briefly it looked like Farrell would follow in their footsteps. Farrell auditioned for a part in the Irish boy band Boyzone, unsuccessfully. After dropping out of the Gaiety School of Acting, Farrell was cast in Ballykissangel (1996), a BBC television drama. "Ballykissangel" was not his first onscreen role. Farrell had previously been in The War Zone (1999), directed by Tim Roth and had appeared in the independent film Drinking Crude (1997). Farrell was soon to move on to bigger things.

Exchanging his thick Dublin accent for a light Texas drawl, Farrell acted in the gritty Tigerland (2000), directed by Joel Schumacher. Starring Farrell among a number of other budding young actors, the film portrays a group of new recruits being trained for the war in Vietnam. Farrell played the arrogant soldier Boz, drafted into the army and completely spiteful of authority. The film was praised by critics but made little money at the box office. It was Farrell's first big role on film, and certainly not his last. Farrell followed up with American Outlaws (2001), where he played the notorious outlaw Jesse James with Scott Caan, son of legendary actor James Caan, in the role of Cole Younger. The film was a box-office flop and a critical failure. Immediately, Farrell returned to the war drama film that had made him famous. Co-starring in the war film Hart's War (2002) opposite Bruce Willis, Farrell played the young officer captured by the enemy. The film was another failure. Farrell struck gold when he was cast in the Steven Spielberg film Minority Report (2002) that same year. Set in a futuristic time period, Farrell played the character Danny Witwer, a young member of the Justice Department who is sent after Tom Cruise's character. The film was a smash hit, and praised by critics.

Farrell continued this success when he reunited with Joel Schumacher on the successful thriller Phone Booth (2002). Farrell played the role of the victim who is harassed by an unseen killer (Kiefer Sutherland) and is made to reveal his sins to the public. 2003 was a big year for Farrell. He starred in the crime thriller The Recruit (2003) as a young CIA man mentored by an older CIA veteran (Al Pacino). Pacino later stated that Farrell was the best actor of his generation. Farrell certainly continued to be busy that year with Daredevil (2003), which actually allowed him to keep his thick Irish accent. The film was another success for Farrell, as was the crime film S.W.A.T. (2003) where Farrell starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson and LL Cool J. Farrell also acted in the Irish black comedy film Intermission (2003) and appeared another Irish film Veronica Guerin (2003) which reunited him with Joel Schumacher once again. The following year, Farrell acted in what is his most infamous film role yet: the title role in the mighty Oliver Stone film epic Alexander (2004), which is a character study of Alexander the Great as he travels across new worlds and conquers all the known world before him. Farrell donned a blond wig and retained his Irish accent, and gave a fine performance as Alexander. However, both he and the film were criticized. Despite being one of the highest grossing films internationally and doing a good job at the DVD sales, Farrell did not come out of the experience without a few hurts. Farrell attempted to rebound with his historical film The New World (2005). Reuniting with "Alexander" star Christopher Plummer, and also acting with Christian Bale, Farrell played the brave explorer John Smith, who would make first contacts with the Native peoples. The film did not do well at the box office, though critics praised the film's stunning appearance and cinematography.

Farrell returned to act in Michael Mann's film Miami Vice (2006) alongside Jamie Foxx. The film was a film adaptation of the famous television series, and did reasonably well at the box office. Farrell also acted in Ask the Dust (2006) with Salma Hayek and Donald Sutherland, though the film did not receive much distribution. The next year, Farrell acted alongside Ewan McGregor in the Woody Allen film Cassandra's Dream (2007) which received mixed reviews from critics. Farrell followed up with the hilarious black comedy In Bruges (2008). Written and directed by Irish theatre director Martin McDonagh, the film stars Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hit men whose latest assignment went wrong, leaving them to hide out in Bruges, Belgium. The film has been one of Farrell's most praised work, and he was nominated for a Golden Globe. As well as In Bruges (2008), Farrell acted alongside Edward Norton in the crime film Pride and Glory (2008) which was not as successful as the former film. As well as working with charity, and speaking at the Special Olympics World Games in 2007, he has donated his salary for Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) to Heath Ledger's little daughter (who was left nothing in a will that had not been updated in time). Ledger had originally been cast in the film and was replaced by Farrell, Johnny Depp and Jude Law. The film was a critical and financial success, and Farrell also played a small role in Crazy Heart (2009) which had the Dubliner playing a country singer. Farrell even sang a few songs for the film's soundtrack. As well as those small roles, Farrell took the lead role in the war film Triage (2009). Farrell incredibly lost forty-four pounds to play the role of a war photographer who must come to terms with what he has experienced in Kurdistan. While the film was finely made, with excellent performances from all involved, the film has received almost no distribution.

Farrell's other leading role that year was in Neil Jordan's Irish film Ondine (2009). In recent years, he co-starred in the comedy horror film Fright Night (2011), the science fiction action film Total Recall (2012), both remakes, and McDonagh's second feature, and the black comedy crime film Seven Psychopaths (2012). Since the mid-2000s, Farrell has cleaned up his act, and far from being a Hollywood hell raiser and party animal, he has shown himself to be a respectable and very talented actor.

He also starred in The Lobster (2015) and The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), both directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. For The Lobster he was nominated for a Golden Globe.
BornMay 31, 1976
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    • Agent info
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BornMay 31, 1976
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  • Nominated for 1 Oscar
    • 60 wins & 103 nominations total

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Photos

Photos1190

Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell and Martin McDonagh in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Jon Kenny, and Pat Shortt in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell and Barry Keoghan in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell and Jenny in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Kerry Condon and Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Known for

Colin Farrell in The Lobster (2015)
The Lobster
7.1
  • David
  • 2015
Ralph Fiennes, Colin Farrell, and Brendan Gleeson in In Bruges (2008)
In Bruges
7.9
  • Ray
  • 2008
S.W.A.T. (2003)
S.W.A.T.
6.0
  • Jim Street
  • 2003
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
The Banshees of Inisherin
7.7
  • Pádraic Súilleabháin
  • 2022

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • The Penguin
    • Oswald Cobblepot, The Penguin
    • Pre-production
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Sugar
    • Post-production
    • TV Series
  • Love Child
    • In Production
  • Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
    The Banshees of Inisherin
    • Pádraic Súilleabháin
    • 2022
  • Thirteen Lives (2022)
    Thirteen Lives
    • John Volanthen
    • 2022
  • Paul Dano, Colin Farrell, Robert Pattinson, and Zoë Kravitz in The Batman (2022)
    The Batman
    • Oz
    • The Penguin
    • 2022
  • Colin Farrell and Jack O'Connell in The North Water (2021)
    The North Water
    • Henry Drax
    • TV Series
    • 2021
  • Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Justin H. Min, and Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja in After Yang (2021)
    After Yang
    • Jake
    • 2021
  • Tye Sheridan and Lily-Rose Depp in Voyagers (2021)
    Voyagers
    • Richard
    • 2021
  • Jessica Chastain in Ava (2020)
    Ava
    • Simon
    • 2020
  • Judi Dench, Colin Farrell, Josh Gad, Nonso Anozie, Lara McDonnell, Tamara Smart, and Ferdia Shaw in Artemis Fowl (2020)
    Artemis Fowl
    • Artemis Fowl Sr.
    • 2020
  • Matthew McConaughey, Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell, Charlie Hunnam, Jeremy Strong, Michelle Dockery, and Henry Golding in The Gentlemen (2019)
    The Gentlemen
    • Coach
    • 2019
  • Danny DeVito, Danny Elfman, Michael Keaton, Colin Farrell, Derek Frey, Rick Heinrichs, Ehren Kruger, Deobia Oparei, Roshan Seth, Ben Davis, Eva Green, Joseph Gatt, Frank Bourke, Sharon Rooney, Ragevan Vasan, Finley Hobbins, Nico Parker, and Zenaida Alcalde in Dumbo (2019)
    Dumbo
    • Holt Farrier
    • 2019
  • Gloomy Eyes (2019)
    Gloomy Eyes
    • Grave Keeper (voice)
    • Video
    • 2019
  • Robert Duvall, Liam Neeson, Viola Davis, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, Daniel Kaluuya, Brian Tyree Henry, Elizabeth Debicki, and Cynthia Erivo in Widows (2018)
    Widows
    • Jack Mulligan
    • 2018
  • Martin Phillips, Laura Dale, and Ryan Cloud in Legend of Cambria (2018)
    Legend of Cambria
    • Narrator
    • TV Series
    • 2018
  • Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Roman J. Israel, Esq.
    • George Pierce
    • 2017
  • Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning in The Beguiled (2017)
    The Beguiled
    • Corporal McBurney
    • 2017

Producer

  • The Penguin
    • executive producer
    • Pre-production
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Sugar
    • executive producer
    • Post-production
    • TV Series
  • Triage (2009)
    Triage
    • executive producer
    • 2009
  • Kicking It (2008)
    Kicking It
    • executive producer
    • 2008

Director

  • Colin Farrell and Nicole Narain Sex Tape
    • Director (uncredited)
    • Video
    • 2005
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos198

Oscars 2023 Best Actor Nominees
Clip 1:01
Oscars 2023 Best Actor Nominees
Colin Farrell Reunites with Brendan Gleeson and Martin McDonagh
Clip 2:28
Colin Farrell Reunites with Brendan Gleeson and Martin McDonagh
How 'The Batman' Resets Gotham for Penguin, Falcone, and More Rogues Gallery
Clip 3:42
How 'The Batman' Resets Gotham for Penguin, Falcone, and More Rogues Gallery
Trailer Breakdown: 'The Batman'
Clip 3:43
Trailer Breakdown: 'The Batman'
What Roles Has Colin Farrell Been Considered For?
Clip 3:40
What Roles Has Colin Farrell Been Considered For?
Is 'The Batman' Logo a Deadly Reminder?
Clip 3:36
Is 'The Batman' Logo a Deadly Reminder?
Colin Farrell | Movie & TV Moments
Clip 1:02
Colin Farrell | Movie & TV Moments
Tim Burton Wants to Reboot Which Classic '80s Comedy?
Clip 1:33
Tim Burton Wants to Reboot Which Classic '80s Comedy?
'Dumbo' Cast Confessions of Playing Tim Burton Outsiders
Clip 2:24
'Dumbo' Cast Confessions of Playing Tim Burton Outsiders
IMDbrief: Golden Globes 2019 Snubs & Surprises
Clip 2:51
IMDbrief: Golden Globes 2019 Snubs & Surprises
"Mitchel Meets Charlotte"
Clip 1:26
"Mitchel Meets Charlotte"
“Neighborly Chat"
Clip 0:55
“Neighborly Chat"

Personal details

Edit
  • Alternative names
    • Colin Carrell
  • Height
    • 5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
  • Born
    • May 31, 1976
    • Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland
  • Children
      James Padraig Farrell
  • Parents
      Rita Farrell (Monaghan)
  • Relatives
      Eamonn Farrell(Sibling)
  • Other works
    Theatre: A Little world of our own, Lead Role, at the Donmar Warehouse in London.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Biographical Movie
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 11 Interviews
    • 17 Articles
    • 5 Pictorials
    • 23 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    He says that growing up, one of his childhood idols was Al Pacino. He got the chance to work opposite his hero in The Recruit (2003) (an experience he described as "scary as hell to work opposite a legend," even though he says Pacino was one of the kindest men he'd ever met and says they still hang out together).
  • Quotes
    Being Irish is very much a part of who I am. I take it everywhere with me.
  • Trademarks
      Violent yet moral characters that are often pragmatic and observant
  • Salaries
      The Banshees of Inisherin
      (2022)
      $3,000,000

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