Cillian Murphy, the Irish-born actor, has admitted to struggling with the limelight but is determined to enjoy the upcoming Academy Awards, where he is nominated for best actor. His nomination comes for his role in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster, Oppenheimer, and he is set to compete against Bradley Cooper from Maestro for the award.
In a conversation with Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Murphy revealed his discomfort with being out of his comfort zone at the Oscars. He stated, “I have struggled with it in the past and it’s not something I’m ever totally at ease with – but I think you have to choose to enjoy it.”
The 47-year-old actor, known for his roles in 28 Days Later, Red Eye, and as Tommy Shelby in the popular BBC crime series Peaky Blinders, is typically private about his personal life. He has previously mentioned finding red carpet events “challenging”.
However, Murphy credits his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, as being “crucial” to keeping him grounded amidst the challenges that come with being an actor. He emphasized the importance of having a secure base amidst fame, describing it as a “safe place” and an “island of comfort and ease”.
