Throughout his illustrious career, acclaimed Irish actor Cillian Murphy has garnered a remarkable array of awards and accolades. From gripping performances on the big screen to captivating portrayals in television series, Murphy’s talent has consistently left audiences in awe.
Behind this remarkable actor’s success stands a steadfast pillar of support: his wife, Yvonne McGuinness. Murphy is not only a master of his craft but also a devoted family man. Despite the allure of Hollywood, he consciously chose to remain rooted in London, where he was residing with his wife.
Murphy’s commitment to proximity with his loved ones speaks volumes about his priorities and values. In 2005, shortly after his breakout performance in the 2002 thriller “28 Days Later,” where he portrayed a man fleeing from zombies in a plague-stricken London, Murphy revealed how important it was for him to be close to his family.
He stated, “I don’t need to live in Los Angeles. I’d be tremendously far away from my family. I’d never see them. I love living in London.” As his career was rapidly gaining momentum, he was presented with a role in “The Wind That Shakes the Barley.” This opportunity brought him much joy as it allowed him to stay home with his family in Cork, Ireland.
At this time, his wife, McGuinness, was pregnant with their first child. To support her during this period, the couple decided to stay with Murphy’s parents. This arrangement provided a comforting family environment during McGuinness’s pregnancy and allowed Murphy to balance his work commitments with his growing family responsibilities.
Murphy nostalgically remembered this time: “I was living at home with my folks; my wife was pregnant with our son; and we were running around the hills of west Cork shooting up Black and Tans. Fantastic!” By 2015, the couple, now parents to two boys, Malachy and Aran, decided to return to their roots in Ireland.
They left behind Kilburn, a district in north-west London, which had been their home for over a decade. Their desire was for their children to experience childhood close to their grandparents and the calming influence of the sea.
Murphy elaborated, “We wanted them to be Irish, I suppose.” When Murphy was away for filming, McGuinness would stay with the kids, but she also occasionally contributed ideas to his work.
He presented the idea to fellow actor Matt Damon, who was impressed and agreed to produce the movie through his company, which he co-runs with Ben Affleck. This led to the prompt production of the movie “Small Things Like These,” which became a success.
It has been over two decades of being together, and while Murphy, who has recently been dubbed the “Internet’s Boyfriend,” is deeply in love with his wife, the public has varied opinions on his choice of spouse. McGuinness, who has chosen to stay largely out of the limelight throughout her husband’s career, has drawn a range of reactions from the public.
Another user questioned Murphy’s choice, saying, “It’s hard for me to understand why he chose this not very good looking woman when he is so drop dead gorgeous,” but was countered by another who said, “What some people consider ugly, others consider beautiful. Everyone has different tastes.”
Others praised Murphy’s loyalty, with one user writing, “His wife is very lucky. Handsome, down-to-earth, humble and loyal,” and another adding, “Yvonne has lovely eyes. Cute lady! May she and Cillian have another two decades of happiness with their boys.”
McGuinness is an accomplished visual artist whose work spans film, performance, sculpture, textiles, sound, and writing. She values her privacy to the extent that even her Instagram profile is private. The couple recently made a rare public appearance on January 7, 2024, at the 81st Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California.
Her husband was unaware of his new label as the “Internet’s Boyfriend” until an interviewer brought it up, to which he responded, “It’s lovely. It’s very flattering.” Despite the attention, the award-winning actor remains grounded, attributing much of his stability to McGuinness.
He values his ability to maintain a normal lifestyle amidst his celebrity status. He often uses public transportation, runs errands, and does everyday tasks. Murphy believes that living like a normal person is essential for an actor, who is supposed to portray real people.
He acknowledges the challenge of staying grounded, especially when one is in the public eye, saying, “I wish it was easier for me, but it’s excruciating. Who likes talking about themselves?”
Aran Murphy, Yvonne McGuinness, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on January 7, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
His acknowledgments continued at the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, where he received the Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Leading Role Award for portraying J. Robert Oppenheimer in “Oppenheimer.”
Cillian Murphy at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on January 7, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Raising their children and maintaining a secure and solid space amidst the challenges of being an actor has been vital for him. “To have a really secure solid space is important. It’s been really important for me. You have to have that safe place, I certainly do. Where it’s just like an island of comfort and peace,” he expressed.
Yvonne McGuinness, Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. at the 81st Golden Globe Awards on January 7, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on an interview from four years ago, Murphy acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining a work-life balance. He expressed gratitude for his wife’s understanding stating, “I have an amazing wife and I couldn’t do this without her. But it is a struggle. I think it is for any dad whose work takes him away, which it generally does, and which consumes him, which my work does.”