Cillian Murphy (Born March 13, 1974 in Douglas, Cork, Ireland) is an Irish actor and musician. Cillian is an Irish name and is also sometimes spelled Killian; both spellings are pronounced "Kil ee an".

Cillian studied law in University College Cork. Initially his interest in performing was led by music, he played guitar with a Frank Zappa influenced band called Sons of Mr. Greengenes. However by the time he left college his primary interest was in acting. His first major role was in the UCC Drama Society production of Observe The Sons of Ulster Marching Towards The Somme and he went on the appear on stage in Disco Pigs . After touring with Disco Pigs in London, Edinburgh and Cork he left UCC without graduating.

Disco Pigs was Cillian's first big break into movies. He was cast in the central role of Pig in Corcadorca's 1996 production of Enda Walsh's original play and he later reprised that role for the 2001 feature film version by Kirsten Sheridan. However it wasn't until Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later became a 2003's sleeper hit in the USA that the bigger studios and directors started to take notice.

In recent years he has had smaller parts in such Hollywood films as Girl with a Pearl Earring and Cold Mountain however his role in Batman Begins (due to be released in June 2005) may prove to be more high profile.

Brief filmography

• Batman Begins (2005) ... as Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow
• Cold Mountain (2004) ... as King Union Soldier
• Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) ... as Pieter
• Intermission (2003) ... as John
• 28 Days Later (2002) ... as Jim
• Disco Pigs (2001) ... as Pig

External link