By BrainFall Staff - Published: March 28, 2024
Stoic, serious, and very Irish, Cillian Murphy is one of the most versatile working actors today.
Known for his many collaborations with director Christopher Nolan, Murphy plays all kinds of characters and always plays them well. You may know him from Batman Begins, Peaky Blinders, Oppenheimer, or one of his many, many other roles.
Murphy has had a long career and a noticeable one in both American and British cinema. I mean, the man basically created a haircut trend in the United States after his portrayal of Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders!
Cillian Murphy plays the kind of character who may not say much but is thinking constantly, and his expressive face always tells a tale. He has played some very recognizable characters, and the Irish actor has put forth memorable performances.
If you’re trying to come up with your favorite Cillian Murphy performance, there are plenty to choose from. Answer some questions and we’ll tell you which character of his you’re most like!
Cillian Murphy character
Cillian Murphy is an Irish actor who has played some famous characters over the years. He started as a stage actor in Ireland and made appearances at the Galway International Arts Festival before making his way into films.
His breakout performance was in 28 Days Later when he teamed up with director Danny Boyle. From there, he had memorable roles in Cold Mountain, Intermission, Girl with the Pearl Earring, Red Eye as the evil Jackson Rippner, A Quiet Place Part II, and more.
He auditioned for the role of Batman in Batman Begins. And while he didn't get that part, he did form a bond with director Christopher Nolan who cast him as Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow.
Murphy went on to play Scarecrow in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. He joined Nolan again in Dunkirk and Inception, where he played Robert Michael Fischer, the son and benefactor of a wealthy man. Robert Fischer is one of the keys to the film and Murphy's performance shows it.
In 2013, he was cast by Steven Knight as Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders, which ran for nine years. He was the head of the Shelby family and became synonymous with the character. Thomas Shelby was Cillian Murphy's most well-known performance before Oppenheimer came out in 2023. Murphy has starred in independent films, blockbuster movies, and plenty of projects that have shown his range!
