Barry Keoghan recently opened up about his experiences with fatherhood in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
The 31-year-old actor, known for his roles in The Batman and Saltburn, shared how his own upbringing has influenced the way he relates to his two-year-old son, Brando.
Keoghan, who portrays a single father in Andrea Arnold’s upcoming film Bird, explained that his real-life experiences shaped his role. “I didn’t have a father figure growing up,” Keoghan revealed at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13.
“So even my relationship with my son isn’t quite a ‘normal’ father-son relationship because I don’t have that figure to draw from.”
Despite this, Keoghan emphasized that love is universal, even if certain aspects of parenting feel unfamiliar. “Love is pure, and you don’t need experience for that,” he said. “But I’m talking about the little things, like teaching your son this or your daughter that.”
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Keoghan went on to describe how his lack of a traditional father figure influenced his portrayal of Bug, a father raising his 12-year-old daughter Bailey in Bird. Played by Nykiya Adams, Bailey’s dynamic with Bug feels more like a sibling relationship than a typical parent-child bond. He said:
“I didn’t have that [normal experience], so the chemistry between Bug and Bailey feels more brother-sister, which I think works. You see a lot of young fathers and mothers today, and they almost have a sibling-like relationship with their kids. It’s beautiful.”
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Fatherhood Shaping Keoghan’s Career
Keoghan shares his two-year-old son Brando with his ex-girlfriend, Alyson Sandro. The couple welcomed Brando in 2022 while Keoghan was filming Saltburn. He recalled the busy but joyous time in his life, laughing as he remembered getting just one day off for the birth.
“They gave me a day off—good on them!” he joked. “It was probably the best time of my life. Having a baby boy and leading a movie at the same time—it doesn’t get better than that.”
Becoming a father has impacted Keoghan’s career choices. He admitted feeling a new sense of responsibility and pressure since Brando’s arrival. “I can’t get the little boy off my mind,” he shared.
“It’s crazy, but when he looks at you, you feel like the most important person in the world. It’s the most beautiful feeling.”
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Sharing a Glimpse of Fatherhood on Social Media
Last month, Keoghan shared a rare glimpse into his life as a father, posting a selfie with Brando on Instagram. The photo captured the two playing with toys, with Brando’s blue eyes and rosy cheeks stealing the spotlight.
In the caption, Keoghan gave a sweet nod to his son’s personality, writing, “He’s more of a charmer than I am. Our wee Brando.”
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While fatherhood hasn’t changed who Keoghan is, it’s clear that his son has left a lasting mark on his heart and life. As he navigates both his career and parenthood, Keoghan continues to embrace the beautiful, messy reality of being a dad.