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    Colin Farrell

    Academy Member

    Colin Farrell appeared in the BBC drama series Ballykissangel (1998), then made his film debut in the drama film The War Zone (1999), and was discovered by Hollywood upon taking the lead role in the war drama film Tigerland (2000). He then portrayed the outlaw Jesse James in the Western film American Outlaws (2001) before starring in the thriller films Phone Booth (2002), S.W.A.T. (2003), and The Recruit (2003), establishing his international box office appeal. During that time, he also appeared in Steven Spielberg's sci-fi thriller Minority Report (2002) and as the villain Bullseye in the superhero film Daredevil (2003).

    After starring in the independent films Intermission (2003) and A Home at the End of the World (2004), Farrell portrayed Alexander the Great in the biopic Alexander (2004) and starred in the historical romantic drama film The New World (2005). He followed these with roles in Miami Vice (2006), Ask the Dust (2006), and Cassandra's Dream (2007), underscoring his popularity; his role in the comedy film In Bruges (2008) earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He starred in the black comedy film Horrible Bosses (2011), for which he received critical praise, along with the comedy-horror film Fright Night (2011), the sci-fi action film Total Recall (2012), and the black comedy crime film Seven Psychopaths (2012).

    Farrell starred in the action film Dead Man Down (2013) and the quasi-biopic Saving Mr. Banks (2013), in which he portrayed the father of P.L. Travers. He starred as Peter Lake in the supernatural fable Winter's Tale (2014), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Mark Helprin, and portrayed Detective Ray Velcoro in the second season of HBO's True Detective (2015). He also starred in the film The Lobster (2015), for which he was nominated for his second Golden Globe. He portrayed Percival Graves in the Harry Potter spin-off film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), as well as Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin in the 2022 superhero film The Batman. In 2020, he was listed at No. 5 on The Irish Times' list of Ireland's greatest film actors.

    Farrell received his first Oscar nomination in 2023 for his lead performance in Martin McDonagh's The Banshees of Inisherin. Following this Colin went on to portray the Role of DC Villian The Penguin (2024), which led him to great success in 2025 recieving the IFTA win for Actor in a lead role (Drama) and a Golden Globe win for his performance in the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series category.

    Video

    "It's really important to say how much this means because I'm at home, and I don't often get to be at home anymore. Even when I'm not here in person, all people in this room who are Irish know, it's something that you irrefutably carry with you around the world. By way of DNA, by way of story, by way of upbringing, by way of land, by way of sea."

    Colin Farrell
    (on receiving his IFTA Win)




    Awards & Recognition

    The Penguin
    • IFTA Winner, Actor in a Lead Role - Drama (2025)
    • Golden Globes Winner, Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series - Drama (2025)
    The Banshees of Inisherin
    • IFTA Nominee, Lead Actor - Film (2023)
    • Oscar Nominee, Best Actor (2023)
    • Golden Globe Winner, Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical (2023)
    • BAFTA Nominee, Best Actor (2023)
    The Batman
    • IFTA Nominee, Supporting Actor - Film (2023)
    The Killing of a Sacred Deer
    • IFTA Nominee, Supporting Actor - Film (2018)
    Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them
    • IFTA Nominee, Supporting Actor - Film (2017)
    The Lobster
    • IFTA Nominee, Lead Actor - Film (2016)
    • Golden Globe Nominee, Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical (2016)
    True Detective
    • IFTA Nominee, Lead Actor - Drama (2016)
    Saving Mr. Banks
    • IFTA Nominee, Supporting Actor - Film (2014)
    Seven Psychopaths
    • IFTA Nominee, Lead Actor - Film (2013)
    Ondine
    • IFTA Winner, Best Actor (2010)
    In Bruges
    • Golden Globe Winner, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (2009)

    Key Credits

    • Sugar, 2024
    • The Penguin, 2024
    • The Banshees of Inisherin, 2022
    • After Yang, 2022
    • The Batman, 2022
    • The North Water, 2020
    • The Gentlemen, 2019
    • The Killing of a Sacred Deer, 2017
    • Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 2016
    • The Lobster, 2015
    • True Detective, 2015
    • Saving Mr. Banks, 2013
    • Ondine, 2009
    • In Bruges, 2008
    • Miami Vice, 2006
    • Alexander, 2004
    • A Home at the End of the World, 2004
    • Intermission, 2003
    • Daredevil, 2003
    • Phone Booth, 2002
    • Minority Report, 2002
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