Barry Keoghan Opens Up About Fatherhood, “Weird” Roles, and That Shocking “Saltburn” Scene

Barry Keoghan has been making waves in Hollywood with his captivating performances in films like The Banshees of Inisherin and The Batman. Now, the Irish actor is opening up in a candid interview with Louis Theroux on the latest season of The Louis Theroux Podcast.

Facing Online Criticism Head-On

Keoghan addressed the online scrutiny surrounding his personal life, particularly accusations of being an “absent father.” He strongly refuted these claims, emphasizing the impact of his difficult childhood spent in foster care and the lack of guidance he had when it came to fatherhood. He stated, “If I didn’t have tough skin or the strength to have, I wouldn’t be sitting here,” adding that the online world often misinterprets his actions and uses his son as ammunition.

The actor also spoke about the hurtful comments he receives about his appearance, calling them “absolutely disgusting.” He admitted to looking up what people write about him online, expressing sadness that individuals pick apart someone’s physical features.

When asked about the infamous naked scene in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn, where Keoghan’s character dances provocatively through the mansion, he debunked rumors of enhancement. He explained, “No, wait, enhanced? It was all me. It was a thing that I didn’t really bat an eyelid to.” Keoghan emphasized the importance of authenticity in storytelling, stating, “People can sit there and make videos and be like, ‘I don’t like his face,’ ‘He looks weird’ or ‘He looks evil’ and just pick you apart… It’s lucky I have tough skin to be honest.”

A Challenging Childhood and Triumph Over Illness

Keoghan shared glimpses into his challenging childhood spent in foster care, detailing the uncertainty and frequent changes he experienced. He spoke fondly of his mother, describing her as “lovely” and “gorgeous,” despite her struggles with heroin addiction.

He also opened up about a harrowing medical ordeal involving necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating virus, that almost claimed his life. Recalling the incident, he said, “I remember [director] Martin McDonagh coming to the hospital to visit me and being like, ‘Are you still able to do this movie?’ and I’d just had surgery. They wanted to amputate the arm… and they were telling me, ‘If we didn’t catch it, there’s a chance you could possibly die.’” The actor’s resilience in overcoming this life-threatening illness is truly inspiring.

Keoghan’s interview with Louis Theroux offers a raw and honest glimpse into the life of a talented actor navigating fame, personal struggles, and the complexities of fatherhood.

Listen to the full episode of The Louis Theroux Podcast, available now on Spotify, to hear more from Barry Keoghan.

Listen Now! 🎧

Want to hear Barry Keoghan’s story firsthand? Head over to Spotify and stream the latest episode of The Louis Theroux Podcast. [Link Here](https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F4KpdqmxkTVSO9qy50GZ2SD&data=05%7C02%7Clmford%40thr.com%7C4d2510dd2c8a4587b0ea08dcfcf49962%7Ce950f25546e44144a778a6ff4f557492%7C0%7C0%7C638663374709602327%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rKjnc9X1gN3jzPc0t%2BDFpi7cVgE4Op50W9Oleu%2F9ioY%3D&reserved=0)