In a revealing interview on THE LOUIS THEROUX PODCAST, actor Barry Keoghan shared intimate details about his challenging upbringing and a harrowing medical emergency that almost derailed his role in The Banshees of Inisherin.
Speaking with Theroux on the podcast’s third season, Keoghan reflected on his complex childhood in Ireland’s foster care system, where he lived with 13 different families. The actor spoke warmly of his mother, who battled heroin addiction, describing her as “lovely” and “gorgeous.” He recalled the emotional toll of foster care transitions: “You don’t forget waiting on the social worker steps and waiting for the new family to come and play with you in the playground they have in the office and see if it’s going to work.”
The conversation took a dramatic turn when Keoghan discussed his brush with death in 2021. Just before filming THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, he contracted necrotizing fasciitis—a severe flesh-eating bacterial infection—following what he described as “a disagreement in a pub” involving a bottle. The infection became so severe that doctors considered amputation of his arm. “That was quite a scary experience,” Keoghan revealed, noting that director Martin McDonagh visited him in the hospital, concerned about his ability to perform in the film.
The interview, featuring the star of THE BATMAN and the upcoming PEAKY BLINDERS film, is available on Spotify from November 5.
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