Career Timeline of Colin Farrell: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Colin Farrell built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Colin Farrell is a prominent Irish actor known for his leading roles in both blockbuster and independent films since the early 2000s. He has earned critical acclaim, including three Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award nomination. Recognized for his significant contributions to film, The Irish Times ranked him as Ireland's fifth-greatest film actor in 2020. His influence extends beyond acting, as Time magazine acknowledged him as one of the 100 most influential people globally in 2023.
1990: Original Total Recall Film
In 1990, the original movie "Total Recall" was released. Colin Farrell later starred in the 2012 remake.
1998: Roles in Ballykissangel and Falling for a Dancer
In 1998, Colin Farrell had roles in television shows, including Ballykissangel and Falling for a Dancer.
1998: Ballykissangel
In 1998, Colin Farrell started his acting career in the BBC drama series Ballykissangel.
1999: Feature Film Debut in The War Zone
In 1999, Colin Farrell made his feature film debut in English actor Tim Roth's directorial debut, The War Zone.
2000: Lead Role in Tigerland
In 2000, Colin Farrell landed his first lead film role in the war drama Tigerland.
December 2001: Signed for Minority Report
In December 2001, Colin Farrell was signed to the supporting role in Minority Report after Matt Damon turned down the role.
2001: Role in American Outlaws
In 2001, Colin Farrell appeared in the film American Outlaws, which was not commercially successful.
2002: Breakthrough in Minority Report
In 2002, Colin Farrell had his breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg's science fiction film Minority Report.
2002: Minority Report Release
In 2002, Colin Farrell played a Justice Department agent in Minority Report.
2002: Roles in Hart's War, Phone Booth, and The Recruit
In 2002, Colin Farrell starred in Hart's War, Phone Booth, and The Recruit. Phone Booth and The Recruit were his first starring roles.
2003: Role in Daredevil and Voted Sexiest Man
In 2003, Colin Farrell played Bullseye in Daredevil and was voted sixth World's "Sexiest Man" by Company magazine.
2003: Role as Bullseye in Daredevil
In 2003, Colin Farrell played the role of Bullseye in the film Daredevil.
2003: Role in S.W.A.T.
In 2003, Colin Farrell starred in S.W.A.T., which was successful at the box office.
2003: Starring in Intermission
In late 2003, Colin Farrell starred as a criminal who plots a bank robbery with Cillian Murphy in the dark comedy Intermission, which held the record for highest-grossing Irish independent film in Irish box-office history for three years.
2004: Appearance in A Home at the End of the World
In 2004, Colin Farrell appeared in the independent film A Home at the End of the World, adapted from Michael Cunningham's novel.
2004: Played Alexander the Great in Alexander
In 2004, Colin Farrell played the title role of Alexander the Great in Oliver Stone's biographical film Alexander, which was controversial.
2004: Role as Alexander the Great
In 2004, Colin Farrell starred as Alexander the Great in the film Alexander.
2005: Starred in The New World
In 2005, Colin Farrell starred as Captain John Smith in The New World, his second historical epic.
2007: Appearance in Cassandra's Dream
In 2007, Colin Farrell appeared in Woody Allen's drama Cassandra's Dream.
2007: Spokesperson for the Special Olympics
In 2007, Colin Farrell joined other celebrities as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai.
2008: Golden Globe Win for In Bruges
In 2008, Colin Farrell won a Golden Globe Award for playing a novice hitman in In Bruges.
2008: In Bruges Premiere and Golden Globe win
In 2008, In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell, opened the Sundance Film Festival. Farrell won his first Golden Globe Award for his performance in the film.
2008: Starring in Pride and Glory
Later in 2008, Colin Farrell starred opposite Edward Norton in Pride and Glory, a police drama directed by Gavin O'Connor.
January 2009: Golden Globe Award for Best Actor
In January 2009, Colin Farrell won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in "In Bruges".
September 2011: Filming of Total Recall
From May to September 2011, Colin Farrell filmed "Total Recall", a remake of the 1990 film, in Toronto.
2011: Role in Horrible Bosses
In 2011, Colin Farrell played a role in the comedy Horrible Bosses.
March 2012: Support for Anti-Bullying Campaign
In March 2012, Colin Farrell lent his support to the anti-bullying campaign Stand Up!, organised by the Irish LGBT youth organisation BeLonG To.
October 2012: Seven Psychopaths Premiere and Details Cover
In October 2012, Colin Farrell's second film with Martin McDonagh, "Seven Psychopaths", premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. That month, Farrell appeared on the cover of the magazine Details.
2012: Roles in Total Recall and Seven Psychopaths
In 2012, Colin Farrell played roles in the science fiction film Total Recall and the dark comedy Seven Psychopaths.
2012: Total Recall Remake
In 2012, Colin Farrell starred in the remake of "Total Recall".
March 2013: Release of Dead Man Down
In March 2013, Colin Farrell starred in "Dead Man Down", a thriller directed by Niels Arden Oplev, alongside Noomi Rapace and Terrence Howard.
2013: Role in Saving Mr. Banks
In 2013, Colin Farrell played a role in the drama Saving Mr. Banks.
2014: Starring in Winter's Tale Film Adaptation
In 2014, Colin Farrell starred in the film adaptation of Mark Helprin's "Winter's Tale", directed by Akiva Goldsman.
2015: Ambassador of the Homeless World Cup
In 2015, Colin Farrell became an official Ambassador of the Homeless World Cup, which uses street football to inspire homeless people to change their lives.
2015: Release of The Lobster
In 2015, Colin Farrell starred in "The Lobster", a romantic science fiction thriller directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.
2015: Roles in The Lobster and True Detective
In 2015, Colin Farrell starred in the dark comedy The Lobster and the second season of HBO's thriller series True Detective.
2016: Role in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
In 2016, Colin Farrell played a role in the fantasy film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
2017: Leading Roles in Several Films
In 2017, Colin Farrell had leading roles in the films "The Beguiled", "The Killing of a Sacred Deer", and "Roman J. Israel, Esq.".
2017: Roles in The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Beguiled
In 2017, Colin Farrell played roles in the thrillers The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Beguiled.
2018: Co-starring in Widows
In 2018, Colin Farrell co-starred in Steve McQueen's thriller "Widows".
2022: Release of Thirteen Lives and The Batman
In 2022, Colin Farrell co-starred in "Thirteen Lives", a film about the Tham Luang cave rescue, and portrayed The Penguin in "The Batman".
2022: Roles in The Batman, After Yang, Thirteen Lives, and The Banshees of Inisherin
In 2022, Colin Farrell played Oz Cobb / Penguin in The Batman and had roles in After Yang, Thirteen Lives, and The Banshees of Inisherin. He won the Volpi Cup and a Golden Globe for The Banshees of Inisherin and received an Academy Award nomination.
2022: The Banshees of Inisherin
In 2022, Colin Farrell reunited with Martin McDonagh and Brendan Gleeson for "The Banshees of Inisherin", which earned Farrell a Volpi Cup for Best Actor and a Golden Globe, as well as an Academy Award nomination.
February 2024: Reported Role in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
In February 2024, it was reported that Colin Farrell would star alongside Margot Robbie in Kogonada's film "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey".
August 7, 2024: Announcement of Colin Farrell Foundation
On August 7, 2024, Colin Farrell announced that he will be starting the Colin Farrell Foundation in dedication to his son James, who has Angelman syndrome. The organization provides support to adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.
2024: Golden Globe Win for The Penguin
In 2024, Colin Farrell won a Golden Globe award for his role in the HBO series The Penguin.
2024: The Penguin on HBO
In 2024, Colin Farrell's performance as Oswald 'Oz' Cobb / Penguin in the spin-off solo series "The Penguin" on HBO earned critical praise and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.
March 2025: In Talks for Sgt. Rock Film
In March 2025, it was announced that Colin Farrell was in talks to star in a film based on Sgt. Rock for Warner Bros. and DC Studios as part of their DC Universe franchise.
2027: Reprising Role in The Batman Part II
In 2027, Colin Farrell will reprise the role of The Penguin in "The Batman Part II".
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