Cillian Murphy (born May 25, 1976 in Douglas, Cork, Ireland) is an Irish actor and musician. Cillian is an Irish name and is also sometimes incorrectly spelled Killian; both spellings are pronounced "Kil ee an".

Murphy studied law at the University College Cork. Initially his interest in performing was led by music. He played guitar with a Frank Zappa influenced band called Sons of Mr. Greengenes. However, by the time he left college his primary interest was acting. His first major role was in the UCC Drama Society production of Observe The Sons of Ulster Marching Towards The Somme. He went on to appear on stage in Disco Pigs. After touring with Disco Pigs in London, Edinburgh and Cork he left UCC without graduating.

Disco Pigs was Murphy's first big break. He was cast in the central role of Pig in Corcadorca's 1996 production of Enda Walsh's original play. He later reprised that role for the 2001 feature film version by Kirsten Sheridan. Also, he wrote and sang the song So New for the soundtrack. However, it wasn't until Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later became 2003's sleeper hit in the USA that the bigger studios and directors started to take notice.

In recent years he has had smaller parts in such Hollywood films as Girl with a Pearl Earring and Cold Mountain. 2005 may be the year that brings Murphy more fame with his roles as Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow in Batman Begins and his role as the villain, Jackson Rippner, in Red Eye, co-starring Rachel McAdams.

He currently resides in London, England.

Personal life

Murphy married his long term girlfriend, Yvonne McGuinness (b. 1972 in Ireland), in August 2004 in Provence, France.

Trivia

• He originally auditioned for the role of Bruce Wayne and Batman in the Batman movie Batman Begins. Christopher Nolan was reportedly impressed with his audition however decided to give Christian Bale the lead role and tied Murphy to the project by persuading him to play Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow.
• According to Entertainment Weekly magazine, he is currently at number 3 of The Most Valuable Players of Summer 2005, a list for entertainers who have breaktrough outstanding performances for the year 2005. He is just behind Terrence Howard and Matt Dillon. The magazine even going further by comparing him with Robert Mitchum. Entertainment Weekly notes that Cillian Murphy's performances are impressive, sensual toward the demonic but also the zen delivery that goes with it.

Filmography

1. Untitled Sunshine Project (2006)
2. The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)
3. Breakfast on Pluto (2005)...as Patrick "Kitten" Brady
4. Red Eye (2005) ... as Jackson Rippner
5. Batman Begins (2005) ... as Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow
6. Cold Mountain (2003) ... as King Union Soldier
7. Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) ... as Pieter
8. Intermission (2003) ... as John
9. Zonad (2003)... as Guy Hendrickson
10. 28 Days Later (2002) ... as Jim
11. The Way We Live Now (2001) (mini series)... as Paul Montague
12. Disco Pigs (2001) ... as Pig
13. How Harry Became a Tree (2001)... as Gus
14. On the Edge (2001)... as Jonathan Breech
15. Filleann an Feall (a.k.a. The Treachery Returns) (2000)
16. The Trench (1999)... as Rag Rockwood
17. Sunburn (1999)... as Davin McDerby
18. At Death's Door (1999)
19. Eviction (1999)... as Brendan McBride
20. The Tale of Sweety Barrett (1998)... as Pat the Barman
21. Quando (1997)... as Pat

External links

• Cillian Murphy at the Internet Movie Database
• Cillian-Murphy.com - Fan Site
• Cillian Murphy fan sitefr:Cillian Murphy

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