Early Life and Education of Colin Farrell: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Colin Farrell, highlighting the experiences that shaped 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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

May 1976: Colin Farrell's Birth

Colin Farrell was born in May 1976.

1982: Inspired by E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

In 1982, Colin Farrell was moved to tears by Henry Thomas' performance in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which inspired him to pursue acting.

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1983: Publication of Winter's Tale Novel

In 1983, Mark Helprin's novel "Winter's Tale" was published, which Colin Farrell starred in the 2014 film adaptation of.

2000: Meeting Amelia Warner

In 2000, Colin Farrell met English actress and singer Amelia Warner at the premiere of Quills.

November 2001: End of Relationship with Amelia Warner

In November 2001, Colin Farrell's relationship with English actress and singer Amelia Warner ended.

September 2003: Birth of Son James

In September 2003, Colin Farrell's son, James Padraig Farrell, was born to American model Kim Bordenave.

2003: Creation of Sex Tape

In 2003, Colin Farrell and Nicole Narain made a 13-minute sex tape that later became the subject of a lawsuit in 2006.

December 2005: Checking into Rehabilitation Centre

In December 2005, Colin Farrell checked into a rehabilitation centre for addictions to recreational drugs and painkillers.

January 2006: Lawsuit Filed Against Ex-Girlfriend

In January 2006, Colin Farrell filed a lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend, American model Nicole Narain, and the Internet Commerce Group (ICG) for the unauthorised public distribution of a sex tape they had made in 2003.

April 2006: Confidential Settlement Reached with Nicole Narain

On 16 April 2006, Colin Farrell and Nicole Narain reached a confidential settlement regarding the sex tape lawsuit.

July 2006: Trial Date for Lawsuit Against ICG

In July 2006, the trial date for Colin Farrell's lawsuit against ICG was set for 21 July 2006, and was eventually settled amicably.

2006: Sobriety

Since leaving the rehab centre in 2006, Colin Farrell has been sober, and has credited his sobriety to his elder son James.

October 2007: Announcement of Son's Angelman Syndrome

In October 2007, Colin Farrell announced that his son James has Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.

2007: Dating Muireann McDonnell

From 2007 to 2008, Colin Farrell dated Irish medical student Muireann McDonnell.

2007: Spokesperson for the Special Olympics

In 2007, Colin Farrell joined other celebrities as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai.

2007: Publication of Skulduggery Pleasant

In 2007, the first book in the Skulduggery Pleasant series was published, and a traced photo of Colin Farrell from "Fantastic Beasts" was used on the tenth anniversary cover.

2008: End of Relationship with Muireann McDonnell

From 2007 to 2008, Colin Farrell dated Irish medical student Muireann McDonnell.

October 2009: Birth of Second Son

On 7 October 2009, Colin Farrell's second son, Henry Tadeusz Farrell, was born to Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curuś.

2010: Split with Alicja Bachleda-Curuś

In 2010, Colin Farrell and Alicja Bachleda-Curuś split.

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.

2013: Suffering from Insomnia and Depression

In 2013, Colin Farrell revealed that he suffers from insomnia and has suffered from occasional bouts of depression and dark thoughts.

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.

2018: Voluntary Rehab

In 2018, Colin Farrell voluntarily checked himself into rehab as a "preemptive measure" to maintain his sobriety.

2018: Tham Luang Cave Rescue

In 2018, the Tham Luang cave rescue of a Thai boys' soccer team occurred, which Colin Farrell later portrayed in the 2022 film Thirteen Lives.

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.