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. Recognized for his talent and versatility, he has garnered numerous awards, including three Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award nomination. His contributions to film have been acknowledged with accolades such as being named one of Ireland's greatest film actors by The Irish Times in 2020 and one of the 100 most influential people globally by Time magazine in 2023.
1998: Began acting in Ballykissangel
In 1998, Colin Farrell began his acting career in the BBC drama series Ballykissangel.
1998: Roles in Ballykissangel and Falling for a Dancer
In 1998, Colin Farrell had roles in television shows, including Ballykissangel.
1999: Roles in Falling for a Dancer
In 1999, Colin Farrell had roles in films, including Falling for a Dancer.
1999: Film debut in The War Zone
In 1999, Colin Farrell made his film debut in the drama The War Zone.
2000: First lead role in Tigerland
In 2000, Colin Farrell landed his first lead film role in the war drama Tigerland.
2000: Cast in Tigerland
In 2000, Colin Farrell was cast in the lead role of Private Roland Bozz in Tigerland, directed by Joel Schumacher.
December 2001: Signed for Minority Report Role
In December 2001, Colin Farrell was signed to a supporting role in Minority Report after Matt Damon turned it down.
2001: Starred in American Outlaws
In 2001, Colin Farrell starred in the film American Outlaws.
2002: Breakthrough in Minority Report
In 2002, Colin Farrell had his breakthrough role in Steven Spielberg's science fiction film Minority Report.
2002: Supporting Role in Minority Report
In 2002, Colin Farrell played a supporting role as an ambitious Justice Department agent in Minority Report.
2002: Starred in Hart's War, Phone Booth, and The Recruit
In 2002, Colin Farrell starred in the films Hart's War, Phone Booth, and The Recruit.
2003: Played Bullseye 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: Played Bullseye in Daredevil
In 2003, Colin Farrell played the role of Bullseye in the superhero film Daredevil.
2003: Starred in S.W.A.T.
In 2003, Colin Farrell starred in the film S.W.A.T.
2004: Starred in A Home at the End of the World
In 2004, Colin Farrell appeared in A Home at the End of the World, an independent film 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. The movie received mixed reviews.
2004: Starred as Alexander the Great
In 2004, Colin Farrell starred as Alexander the Great in the film Alexander.
2005: Played Captain John Smith in The New World
In 2005, Colin Farrell played Captain John Smith in the Academy Award-nominated film The New World.
2007: Appeared in Cassandra's Dream
In 2007, Colin Farrell appeared in Woody Allen's drama Cassandra's Dream, which premiered that year.
2008: Starred in In Bruges and Won Golden Globe
In 2008, Colin Farrell starred in Martin McDonagh's In Bruges and later won a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the film.
2008: Won Golden Globe for In Bruges
In 2008, Colin Farrell won a Golden Globe Award for his role as a novice hitman in the dark comedy In Bruges, his first film with Martin McDonagh.
2008: Starred 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. In 2009 he also appeared in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, helping to complete Heath Ledger's role after Ledger's death, and starred in Triage, losing 30 pounds for the role. He also played a supporting role in Crazy Heart.
September 2011: Filming of Total Recall Remake
From May to September 2011, Colin Farrell filmed Columbia Pictures' Total Recall, a remake of the 1990 film, in Toronto. He played the role originally played by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
2011: Starred in Horrible Bosses
In 2011, Colin Farrell played a role in the comedy Horrible Bosses.
October 2012: Seven Psychopaths Release and Details Cover
In October 2012, Colin Farrell's second film with Martin McDonagh, Seven Psychopaths, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released. In the same month, Farrell appeared on the cover of Details magazine.
2012: Starred in Total Recall and Seven Psychopaths
In 2012, Colin Farrell starred in the science fiction film Total Recall and the dark comedy Seven Psychopaths.
March 2013: Starring in Dead Man Down
In March 2013, Colin Farrell starred in Dead Man Down, a thriller directed by Niels Arden Oplev, alongside Terrence Howard and Noomi Rapace.
2013: Starred in Saving Mr. Banks
In 2013, Colin Farrell starred in the drama Saving Mr. Banks.
2015: Starred in The Lobster and True Detective Season 2
In 2015, Colin Farrell starred in the dark comedy The Lobster and the second season of HBO's thriller series True Detective.
2016: Starred in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
In 2016, Colin Farrell starred in the fantasy film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
2017: Starred in The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Beguiled
In 2017, Colin Farrell starred in the thrillers The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Beguiled.
2018: Starred in Widows
In 2018, Colin Farrell starred in the thriller Widows.
2022: Starred in The Batman, After Yang, Thirteen Lives, and The Banshees of Inisherin
In 2022, Colin Farrell played Oz Cobb / Penguin in The Batman, gained acclaim for roles in After Yang and Thirteen Lives, and won the Volpi Cup and a Golden Globe for The Banshees of Inisherin, for which he also received an Academy Award nomination.
August 7, 2024: Announcement of the 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. The organization will provide support to adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.
2024: Won Golden Globe for The Penguin
In 2024, Colin Farrell won a Golden Globe award for his role in the HBO series The Penguin.
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