I recently had the chance to sit down with acclaimed Irish actor Barry Keoghan and discuss his candid thoughts on the harsh criticism he’s faced as a parent. In an interview on “The Louis Theroux Podcast,” Keoghan didn’t hold back when addressing the online accusations that he’s an “absent” or “deadbeat” father to his 2-year-old son, Brando.
“If I didn’t have tough skin or the strength to have, I wouldn’t be sitting here,” Keoghan told Theroux. “Undoubtedly, my childhood experiences will influence my role as a father, especially since I didn’t have a model to follow.”
The 32-year-old actor, known for his roles in films like “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “Saltburn,” went on to explain that people have been quick to “use [his] son as ammunition” against him.
“People just read that as laziness and go, ‘Oh, that’s no excuse to be an absent father.’ I’m not an absent father,” Keoghan said. “But it’s just—again, people love to use my son as ammunition or whatever.”
A Painful Childhood Shapes His Parenting
Keoghan’s own difficult upbringing, which saw him bouncing between foster homes as a child, has undoubtedly influenced his approach to fatherhood. However, he refuses to allow the absence of a “Blueprint” to cast judgment on his parenting style.
“The more attention I’ve [gotten] lately and the more in public I’ve become, the less I’ve posted about my child, because I don’t think it’s fair to put my child online,” Keoghan explained. “And because I reigned that in, people draw a narrative and go, ‘Absent father, s—, deadbeat dad,’ and more disgusting things I wouldn’t even repeat.” Keoghan admitted that the “audacity of some people” who make these claims “sickens” him and “makes [him] furious.”
Staying Strong In The Face Of Criticism
Despite the hurtful online comments, Keoghan seems determined not to let the negativity get to him. He acknowledged that his “tough skin” and “strength” are what allow him to sit for interviews like this one.
And when it comes to reading the critical comments about himself, Keoghan said he has to indulge his “curious” nature, even if it means exposing himself to “slander” and “bad comments attacking my appearance or attacking me as a father.”
“I’ve even omitted certain words because I don’t want to read them,” he said. “Stuff like my son—people don’t deserve to put that in a sentence, anything. I’m just trying to make a living, trying to get a decent body of work and create safety for my child.”
A Promising Future, Despite The Challenges
Keoghan’s unwavering commitment to his craft and his family is admirable, especially in the face of such hurtful public scrutiny. And despite the challenges he’s faced, both personally and professionally, the future looks bright for the rising star.
In 2023, Keoghan earned a BAFTA for his supporting role in “The Banshees of Inisherin” and received an Oscar nomination for the same performance. He’s also set to appear in the upcoming “Peaky Blinders” film, further solidifying his place as one of Hollywood’s most exciting young talents.
As Keoghan continues to navigate the highs and lows of fame, it’s clear that he’s determined to maintain a sense of privacy and control when it comes to his personal life—especially when it comes to protecting his son from the harsh glare of the public eye.
“I don’t think it’s fair to put my child online,” Keoghan said. And with that unwavering stance, he’s sending a powerful message to his critics: his family comes first, no matter what.
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