Cillian Murphy is said to have moved out of London as he was desperate to “live a quiet life” away from the showbiz glare.
The Oppenheimer actor, 47, has been striding red carpets for months thanks to his now-Oscar nominated portrayal of nuclear physicist J Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer epic, which is expected to sweep the board at this year’s Academy Awards.
But a source said he has a personal hatred for the showy side of being a star and would far rather indulge his passion for listening to music at the four-storey, six-bed Victorian family home in Ireland he shares with his 51-year-old artist wife Yvonne McGuinness – whom he married in 2004 – and their two children, sons Malachy, 18, and 16-year-old Aran.
An insider told Hello! magazine: “Cillian is a really nice guy, but very private.
“He really hates that side of being an actor – the press, the attention. But in his friendship group, a tight-knit group of people he knows and trusts, he’s really relaxed.
“He’s not shy, he’s really good company and he’s funny. And he’s really into music. Apart from acting, that’s his thing.
“He moved to Ireland from North London when his kids were young. He just wanted to get away from it all, live a quiet life.”
When he was a rising star, Murphy made the decision to move with his and McGuinness’ two boys to his native Ireland from his house in North London.
They moved to Monkstown, Dublin, where they still live.
Murphy grew up in Cork, where he attended the Catholic secondary Presentation Brothers College, and went on to study law at University College in his home city – but also starred in some of its drama productions.
His first role was in the stage version of Disco Pigs in 1996, and the success of the production led to him moving into acting and then to London, where he appeared in theatre and filmed his breakout role in Danny Boyle’s zombie horror 28 Days Later.
He’s already picked up the Golden Globe for best actor for his role in 2023’s Oppenheimer, and is one of the bookies’ favourites to repeat the feat at the Oscars in March.