Colin James Farrell was born inCastleknock, a western suburb ofDublin on 31 May 1976, to Rita (née Monaghan) andEamon Farrell. His father played football forShamrock Rovers FC and ran a health food shop. Farrell played for Castleknock Celtic FC, and the team was managed by his father.[5] Farrell's uncle,Tommy Farrell, also played for Shamrock Rovers. Farrell has an older brother named Eamon,[6] and two sisters, Catherine and Claudine (the latter now works as his personal assistant).[7][8][9] Farrell grew upCatholic and went toSt Brigid's National School, Castleknock, followed by the exclusive[citation needed] all-boys private schoolCastleknock College, and thenGormanston College in Gormanston Castle in County Meath. He unsuccessfully auditioned for the boy bandBoyzone around that time.[8]
Farrell was inspired to try acting whenHenry Thomas's performance inE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) moved him to tears.[10] With his brother's encouragement, he attendedthe Gaiety School of Acting, but dropped out when he was cast as Danny Byrne in theBBC dramaBallykissangel.[11] While traveling inSydney at the age of 18, Farrell became a suspect in an attempted murder case.[12] The police sketch looked remarkably like him and he had even describedblacking out during the night in question; his only alibi was that a friend journaled that the two had been takingMDMA on the other side of town that night.[13][14]
Farrell had roles in television shows and films, includingBallykissangel andFalling for a Dancer in 1998 and 1999.[15][16] He made his feature film debut in English actorTim Roth's directorial debut,The War Zone,[15] a drama aboutchild sexual abuse, starringRay Winstone andTilda Swinton as parents of a girl Farrell's character (Nick) dates.[17] Farrell appeared inOrdinary Decent Criminal withKevin Spacey andLinda Fiorentino, a film loosely based on the life ofMartin Cahill.[15] In 2000, Farrell was cast in the lead role of Private Roland Bozz inTigerland, directed byJoel Schumacher.[15] Farrell reportedly got the part on the basis of his charm.[16] Emanuel Levy ofVariety said that Farrell "shines as the subversive yet basically decent lad whose cynicism may be the only sane reaction to a situation".[18] Michael Holden ofThe Guardian wrote that Farrell was "too much the hero" to fit the classicrebel archetype properly, but he still delivered a good performance.[19]Tigerland earned $139,500.[16]
Farrell's next American films,American Outlaws (2001) andHart's War (2002), were not commercially successful.[20][21] His 2002–2003 films, includingPhone Booth,The Recruit andS.W.A.T. (all thrillers, with the former two his first starring roles),[22] were well received by critics and successful at the box office.[22] OfPhone Booth,Roger Ebert wrote that it is "Farrell's to win or lose, since he's onscreen most of the time, and he shows energy and intensity".[23] Philip French ofThe Guardian praised Farrell's performance.[24] InS.W.A.T., Farrell starred in an ensemble cast includingSamuel L. Jackson,Michelle Rodriguez,Olivier Martinez andJeremy Renner; Renner became a friend. Alan Morrison ofEmpire wrote, "Farrell can usually be relied upon to bring a spark to the bonfire. That's also true of [this movie]."[25]Elvis Mitchell of theNew York Times criticised Farrell's accent, writing that he "employ[ed] a wobbly American accent that makes him sound like an international criminal a step ahead of the authorities".[26] Ebert andThe New York Times'A.O. Scott disagreed on Farrell's effectiveness inThe Recruit; Ebert noted Farrell's likability,[27] but Scott felt that Farrell "spends his time in a caffeinated frenzy, trying to maintain his leading-man sang-froid while registering panic, stress and confusion".[28]Phone Booth earned $46.6 million,[29]S.W.A.T. $116.9 million[30] andThe Recruit $52.8 million[31] at the box office.
Farrell's supporting roles include an ambitiousJustice Department agent oppositeTom Cruise as a "potential criminal" inMinority Report (2002),[32] andBullseye, the villain inDaredevil (2003).Matt Damon was originally offered theMinority Report role, turning it down to appear inOcean's Eleven.[33] Farrell said "he had no problem" being the producer's fallback after Damon declined.[34] Farrell was signed to the role in December 2001, although he was considered for the lead role of Matt Murdock (Daredevil) untilBen Affleck signed.[22][35] Farrell was encouraged to keep his Irish accent, since this version of Bullseye is from Ireland.[36] He readFrank Miller's Daredevil comics to understand Bullseye "because the expression on the character's faces in the comic books, and just the way they move sometimes, and the exaggerations of the character I'm playing... he's so over-the-top that you do draw from that. But it's not exactly a character you can domethod acting for...you know, running around New York killing people with paper clips".[37] In 2003, he was voted sixth World's "Sexiest Man" byCompany magazine.[38]
In late 2003, Farrell starred as a criminal who plots a bank robbery withCillian Murphy in the dark comedyIntermission, which held the record for highest-grossing Irishindependent film in Irish box-office history for three years.[39] In 2004, he appeared in several other independent films receiving limited theatrical release in most countries, includingA Home at the End of the World (adapted fromMichael Cunningham'snovel of the same name).[22] Roger Ebert praised Farrell, saying that he was "astonishing in the movie, not least because the character is such a departure from everything he has done before".[40][41]Mick LaSalle of theSan Francisco Chronicle differed, saying that Farrell "is keen on making good...The effort is there, but it's a performance you end up rooting for rather than enjoying, because there's no way to just relax and watch".[42][43]
Farrell played the title role ofAlexander the Great inOliver Stone's 2004 biographical filmAlexander, which, while receiving some favourable reviews internationally, was poorly received in the United States.[44] Its portrayal of the conqueror asbisexual was controversial; the film was criticised by some historians for its treatment of the ancient Persians,[45] although others praised it for its accuracy.[46][47] An ancient history scholar at theUniversity of Nebraska wrote:
I would compare [Alexander] toLawrence of Arabia, in terms of sheer scope, pacing, and its unrelenting focus on a single individual... In many ways, this is a movie for Greek and Alexander 'geeks.' The more one knows, the more one will recognise—the historical accuracy of sets is better than I've seen in some documentaries.[46]
The film grossed $167 million worldwide, just exceeding its budget of $155 million.[48]
Farrell's next film was 2005'sAcademy Award-nominatedThe New World, his second historical epic.[49] He played the lead role ofCaptain John Smith, the founder of 17th-century colonialJamestown, Virginia who falls in love with the Native American princessPocahontas (Q'Orianka Kilcher). DirectorTerrence Malick went out of his way to keep Farrell and Kilcher apart until they were filmed together.[50] Although it was released in only 811 theatres worldwide and had a relatively low box-office gross,[51][52] the film received a large number of positive reviews.[53][54] In one of four reviews inThe Guardian,[55] John Patterson described it as a "bottomless movie, almost unspeakably beautiful and formally harmonious".[56]The New World was followed byAsk the Dust, a period romance set in Los Angeles based on aJohn Fante novel[57] and co-starringSalma Hayek. Reviews were mixed;Manohla Dargis ofThe New York Times favourably described Farrell's work,[58] but Peter Bradshaw ofThe Guardian found "something a little forced in both lead performances".[59] With a limited theatrical release, it was not a financial success.[60]
Farrell was more successful in 2006 with his role oppositeJamie Foxx inMichael Mann's action crime drama,Miami Vice. The film grossed $164 million worldwide[61] on a budget of $135 million,[62] andTimeOut New York ranked it among the top 50 movies of the decade.[63] TheDVD, released the same year, also managed to sell over a million copies (equivalent to $7.91 million inpirated versions) in its first week alone,[64] and, as of 11 February 2007, had grossed over $36.45 million in rentals.[65] A. O. Scott criticised Farrell's work: "When he's not on screen, you don't miss him, and when he is, you find yourself, before long, looking at someone or something else."[66] Conversely,Peter Travers ofRolling Stone was enthusiastic.[62] Farrell also reportedly took a slight pay cut to make friend and recentOscar winner Jamie Foxx happy; his salary was initially larger than Foxx's.[67]
Farrell appeared inWoody Allen's dramaCassandra's Dream, which premiered in 2007 and was distributed in the US in early 2008.Mick LaSalle of theSan Francisco Chronicle praised Farrell: "Allen is notorious for not giving his actors explicit instructions, and yet somehow this worked wonders for Farrell, who has never seemed so naked, so clear, and so unencumbered as he does here."[68] Manohla Dargis concurred in theNew York Times, adding that she thought Farrell was well-matched with co-starEwan McGregor.[69]
Farrell's next film,Martin McDonagh's first full-length feature,In Bruges, opened the 2008Sundance Film Festival. WhileThe New Yorker andTimeOut London's film critics found co-starBrendan Gleeson's performance the stronger of the two,[70][71] Bradshaw ofThe Guardian found Farrell (as hitman Ray) to be "absolutely superb: moody and funny, lethally sexy, sometimes heartbreakingly sad and vulnerable like a little boy".[72] Farrell won his firstGolden Globe Award for his performance in the film.[73]
Shortly thereafter, he appeared inKicking It, a documentary following six homeless men from Kenya, Russia, Afghanistan, Ireland, Spain, and the US as they attempt to qualify for theHomeless World Cup. Farrell appeared on screen and provided the narration,[74] donating his earnings to a homeless shelter in Ireland.[75] The film was released simultaneously in theatres and on television, airing onESPN2 in a very short window before its DVD release. Farrell received positive reviews for his involvement in the true story.
Later in 2008, Farrell starred oppositeEdward Norton inPride and Glory, a police drama directed byGavin O'Connor. Roger Ebert disliked the film[76] and A. O. Scott said that Farrell "once again indulges his blustery mixture of menace and charm, overdoing both,"[77] but Gregory Kirschling ofEntertainment Weekly liked Farrell's work.[78]
On 11 January 2009, Farrell won theGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy forIn Bruges, in which he co-starred with Brendan Gleeson. In the same year, he also appeared inTerry Gilliam's filmThe Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, starringChristopher Plummer andAndrew Garfield. Farrell was one of three actors (withJohnny Depp andJude Law), who helped to completeHeath Ledger's role when Ledger died before filming ended. They played "Imaginarium" versions of Ledger's character Tony,[79] donating their earnings to Ledger's daughter Matilda.[80] Farrell also starred that year inTriage, directed by Oscar-winning Bosnian screenwriter and directorDanis Tanović, about the life of a war correspondent. He lost 30 pounds for the role.[81] Farrell's work was described as "dedicated" byVariety'sTodd McCarthy,[81] and Julian Sancton ofVanity Fair wrote that the film was "a hell of a lot more insightful than other movies that deal with a similar topic".[82] However,Triage was not widely distributed due to the marketing challenges posed by its difficult topics (includingPTSD).[81] That year, Farrell played a supporting role (as Tommy Sweet) inCrazy Heart withJeff Bridges.
Another 2009 release wasOndine, a fantasy-drama directed byNeil Jordan starring Farrell as a fisherman with a disabled daughter. Shot in the village ofCastletownbere on Ireland's southwest coast, it featured cinematography by longtimeWong Kar-wai collaboratorChristopher Doyle.[83] Mary Pols ofTime called the role "tailor-made for Farrell", saying that Farrell gave a "beautifully confident performance".[84] Todd McCarthy ofVariety singled Farrell out, noting that he worked well as an ensemble actor "graciously allowing [child star Alison Barry] to steal every scene she's in".[83]
The next year, Farrell starred withKeira Knightley in thecrime romanceLondon Boulevard. The film, AmericanWilliam Monahan's debut as director after writing screenplays forThe Departed andBody of Lies, was panned by critics.[85]Peter Bradshaw of theGuardian wrote that the film "uses up all its energy, wit and ideas in the first 20 or so minutes, before collapsing into a flurry of boring violence".[86] Leslie Felperin ofVariety described it as "like a fancy, retro-styled pocket watch that someone accidentally broke and tried to reassemble with only a vague idea of clockwork".[87] Felperin thought the stars' work was frail, with Farrell "mostly taciturn and vacuous."[87] He also played the role of Valka in the survival filmThe Way Back in 2010.
Farrell starred in the 2011 comedyHorrible Bosses, directed bySeth Gordon withJennifer Aniston,Jason Bateman,Charlie Day,Jason Sudeikis,Kevin Spacey, and hisMiami Vice co-starJamie Foxx also in the cast. The film focuses on a trio of employees who plot to murder their tyrannical bosses.[88]The Guardian's Mark Kermode wrote that although the film would have benefited from a tighter script, Farrell and Foxx had juicy roles which they "riff with panache".[89] Michael Phillips of theLos Angeles Times wrote that Farrell brought "massive, slobby relish" to his role as Sudeikis'cocaine-fiend boss.[90]
Later that year, Farrell played the main antagonist in theFright Night remake,[91] joiningAnton Yelchin,David Tennant andToni Collette in the story of a charismaticvampire who moves next door to a high-school student and his single mother. The film was released byDreamWorks, withCraig Gillespie (ofLars and the Real Girl) directing a script byBuffy the Vampire Slayer writerMarti Noxon. Sukhdev Sandhu ofThe Daily Telegraph wrote that Farrell "proves his comedy credentials once more....utterly seductive as the plushly eyebrowed carpenter-cum-bloodsucker",[92] whileThe New York Times' A.O. Scott thought that Farrell played his role with "a wink and a snarl and a feline purr".[93] Logan Hill ofNew York magazine, on the other hand, was confused by Farrell's performance: "Sure, [it] may not make much sense, but neither do centuries-old vampires living in Nevadan subdivisions. So he goes for it."[94]
Farrell starred withKate Beckinsale inColumbia Pictures'Total Recall, a 2012 remake of the1990 film, playing the role originally played byArnold Schwarzenegger. It was filmed from May to September 2011 in Toronto and directed byLen Wiseman.[95] Co-starJessica Biel appreciated Farrell's skills, calling him "surprising and exciting. He just has the ability to be trying different things all the time."[96] Roger Ebert andThe New York Times said that although they believed Farrell the better actor, Schwarzenegger in the original was "more of a movie presence and better suited for the role".[97][98]
In March 2013, Farrell starred inDead Man Down, a thriller directed byNiels Arden Oplev, appearing alongsideTerrence Howard for the first time sinceHart's War 10 years earlier.Noomi Rapace, star of Oplev'sThe Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, starred as a facially scarred woman who blackmails Farrell's character into killing the man who disfigured her in a car crash.[102] Reviews were mixed, withEmpire magazine calling the film "a pleasingly intricate double (or is it triple?) revenge plot anchored by excellent acting" andThe Hollywood Reporter saying that "[J.H.] Wyman's script and the measured pace don't lend themselves to the necessary escalating tension that would have resulted in a more rewarding climax."[103]The New York Times' Manohla Dargis called the film a failure, but said of Farrell that "his sensitive, hardworking eyebrows help keep it from becoming a full-bore lampoon."[104] Joe Neumaier of theNew York Daily News also disliked the film, writing that it contained "a lot to roll your eyes over" and that Farrell was "as stoic as a statue".[105]
In 2014, Farrell starred in a film adaptation ofMark Helprin'sWinter's Tale. The film was written and directed byAkiva Goldsman and based on Helprin's1983 novel, and co-starredJessica Brown Findlay,Jennifer Connelly,Russell Crowe, andWill Smith. Farrell won the lead role over younger actorsGarrett Hedlund,Tom Hiddleston andAaron Taylor-Johnson.[106] Although the film generally received negative reviews,[107] writers such asThe Village Voice's Stephanie Zacharek had nothing but praise for Farrell. She described him as "an extraordinary appealing actor" who "has always made a terrific bad boy, but ... seems to be settling into some very serious, responsible-adult roles."[107]Mick LaSalle of theSan Francisco Chronicle agreed, writing that Farrell "holds the movie together" and is part of "the most beautiful [love scene] so far of 2014."[108]
His role asP. L. Travers' alcoholic father inSaving Mr. Banks received contrasting reviews, with Scott Foundras ofVariety calling it "excellent"[109] and Leslie Felperin ofThe Hollywood Reporter deeming it "his best work in some time";[110] conversely, Peter Bradshaw ofThe Guardian described his performance as "bland" and "uninspired",[111] while Robbie Collin ofThe Daily Telegraph found Farrell miscast in the role.[112]
In 2022, Farrell co-starred in the filmThirteen Lives, which chronicles the 2018Tham Luang cave rescue of a Thai boys' soccer team that was trapped 2.5 miles inside the cave for eighteen days as a result of a flash-flood. The British cave diversRick Stanton andJohn Volanthen participated in the rescue operation and retrieved the boys. During this production, Farrell and the other cast members did their own stunts and diving. In an interview about the film, Farrell admitted to suffering significant anxiety from the underwater work.[123] He portrayedOswald "Oz" Cobb / Penguin[124] inMatt Reeves' 2022 filmThe Batman. He continued to portray the character in a spin-off solo seriesThe Penguin onHBO in 2024 with his performance earning critical praise and theGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.[125][126][127] Farrell will reprise the role inThe Batman Part II (2027).[128]
In 2007, Farrell joined other celebrities as a spokesperson for theSpecial Olympics World Games inShanghai.[133] He also lent his support to the anti-bullying campaign Stand Up! organised by the IrishLGBT youth organisationBeLonG To in March 2012.[134] Farrell, whose brother, Eamonn, isgay,[135] had appeared onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show two years earlier to increase awareness of the subject.[136]
In 2015, Colin Farrell became an official Ambassador of theHomeless World Cup, which uses street football to inspire homeless people to change their lives.[137] On August 7, 2024, he announced that he will be starting the Colin Farrell Foundation in dedication to his son James, who hasAngelman syndrome. The organization provides support to adults withintellectual disabilities and their families. "This is the first time I’ve spoken about it," he said, "and obviously the only reason I’m speaking is I can’t ask James if he wants to do this."[138][139]
He has a son, James Padraig Farrell, born on 12 September 2003, with American model Kim Bordenave.[148] In October 2007, he said that his son hasAngelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterised by intellectual and developmental delay, lack of speech, and an excitable demeanour.[149]
From 2007 to 2008, Farrell dated Irish medical student Muireann McDonnell.[16][150][151] Farrell and British-American writerEmma Forrest dated for over a year, an experience she discussed in depth in her memoirYour Voice in My Head (which mostly focused on her relationship with her therapist, who died unexpectedly).[152] According to Forrest, she and Farrell planned to have a child together before he ended the relationship.
On 7 October 2009, Farrell's second son, Henry Tadeusz Farrell, was born to Polish actressAlicja Bachleda-Curuś (hisOndine co-star).[153][154] Farrell and Bachleda-Curuś split in 2010.[155]
Farrell said in an interview that "[He had] been drunk or high since [he] was 14."[156] In December 2005, he checked into a rehabilitation centre for addictions torecreational drugs andpainkillers.[157] He commented on the topic during an interview onLate Show with David Letterman after leaving rehab,[157] and continued later to talk about it.[96][158] He said, "There was an energy that was created, a character that was created, that no doubt benefited me... then there was a stage where it all began to crumble around me."[158]
Farrell has been sober since leaving the rehab centre in 2006, and has credited his sobriety to his elder son James.[159] In 2018, he voluntarily checked himself into rehab, as a "preemptive measure", in order to maintain his sobriety.[160]
In January 2006, Farrell filed a lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend, American modelNicole Narain, and the Internet Commerce Group (ICG) for the unauthorised public distribution of a 13-minutesex tape they had made in 2003.[161] He was offered $5 million for its rights.[162] While ICG tried to release it, Narain said that she would work with Farrell to ensure that the tape remained private. Farrell said she tried to release it to damage his acting career and "make money out of it", which Narain denied.[163][164] On 16 April 2006, they reached a confidential settlement; Farrell's lawsuit against ICG continued with a trial date of 21 July 2006, and was eventually settled amicably.[165]
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