History of Colin Farrell in Timeline
Colin James Farrell is a prominent Irish actor known for his work in both mainstream and independent cinema. Since rising to fame in the 2000s, he has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award nomination. His contributions to film have earned him recognition as one of Ireland's greatest actors and a place among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2023.
May 1976: Birth of Colin Farrell
Colin James Farrell was born in Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland in May 1976.
May 1976: Early Life and Family Background
Colin James Farrell was born on May 31, 1976, in Castleknock, Dublin, to Rita and Eamon Farrell. He grew up in a family passionate about football, with both his father and uncle having played for Shamrock Rovers FC. He attended St. Brigid's National School, Castleknock College, and Gormanston College.
1982: Inspiration to Pursue Acting
At the age of six, Colin Farrell was deeply moved by Henry Thomas's performance in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982), sparking his interest in acting. He later attended the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin.
1983: Publication of "Winter's Tale"
Mark Helprin's novel "Winter's Tale," which would later be adapted into a film starring Colin Farrell, was published.
1990: Release of the Original "Total Recall"
The original "Total Recall," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was released in 1990. This film served as the basis for the 2012 remake starring Colin Farrell.
1998: Early Television Roles
Colin Farrell appeared in television shows like "Ballykissangel" and "Falling for a Dancer" in 1998, marking his early steps in the entertainment industry.
1998: Television Debut in "Ballykissangel"
Colin Farrell's acting career began in 1998 with a role in the BBC drama series "Ballykissangel".
1999: Film Debut in "The War Zone"
In 1999, Colin Farrell made his feature film debut in "The War Zone", a drama directed by Tim Roth.
1999: Film Debut and Early Roles
In 1999, Colin Farrell made his film debut in "The War Zone." He also appeared in "Ordinary Decent Criminal" alongside Kevin Spacey.
2000: Meets Amelia Warner at "Quills" Premiere
Colin Farrell first met Amelia Warner, an English actress and singer, at the premiere of the film "Quills." This encounter marked the beginning of their relationship, which lasted from July 2001 to November 2001.
2000: Critical Acclaim for "Tigerland"
Colin Farrell garnered critical recognition for his performance in the 2000 war drama "Tigerland," directed by Joel Schumacher.
2000: Breakthrough Role in "Tigerland"
Colin Farrell's first leading film role, as Private Roland Bozz in the war drama "Tigerland" (2000), marked a significant breakthrough in his career.
November 2001: Relationship with Amelia Warner Ends
Colin Farrell's relationship with English actress and singer Amelia Warner ended. They had been dating since meeting at the premiere of "Quills" in 2000.
December 2001: Securing the Role in "Minority Report"
In December 2001, Colin Farrell was cast in "Minority Report" after Matt Damon turned down the role.
2001: Roles in "American Outlaws" and "Hart's War"
Colin Farrell starred in the films "American Outlaws" (2001) and "Hart's War" (2002), though they were met with limited commercial success.
2002: Supporting Role in "Minority Report"
Colin Farrell showcased his acting range in a supporting role as an ambitious Justice Department agent in Steven Spielberg's science fiction film "Minority Report" (2002).
2002: Thriller Success with "Phone Booth" and "Hart's War"
Colin Farrell's career gained momentum with roles in the thrillers "Phone Booth" and "Hart's War" in 2002, both of which earned positive critical reception.
2002: Science Fiction Stardom in "Minority Report"
Colin Farrell's career reached new heights in 2002 when he starred alongside Tom Cruise in Steven Spielberg's science fiction thriller "Minority Report".
September 2003: Son James is Born
Colin Farrell's first son, James Padraig Farrell, was born on September 12, 2003. His mother is American model Kim Bordenave.
2003: Playing the Villain in "Daredevil"
In 2003, Colin Farrell took on the role of Bullseye, the villain in the superhero film "Daredevil".
2003: Action and Thriller Roles in "The Recruit" and "S.W.A.T."
Colin Farrell further established his presence in Hollywood with starring roles in the action thriller "The Recruit" and the action film "S.W.A.T." in 2003.
2003: Release of "Intermission"
In 2003, Colin Farrell starred in the dark comedy "Intermission" alongside Cillian Murphy. The film, about a bank robbery, enjoyed significant commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Irish independent film at the Irish box office for three years.
2003: Playing Bullseye in "Daredevil" and Rising Popularity
Colin Farrell portrayed the villainous Bullseye in the superhero film "Daredevil" (2003), further solidifying his status as a rising star. His popularity was evident when he was voted sixth on Company magazine's "World's Sexiest Man" list.
2003: Farrell Films Sex Tape with Nicole Narain
Colin Farrell and his then-girlfriend Nicole Narain filmed a private sex tape in 2003, which later became the subject of legal battles.
2004: Critical Acclaim for "A Home at the End of the World"
Colin Farrell garnered critical acclaim for his performance in the 2004 independent film "A Home at the End of the World," adapted from Michael Cunningham's novel. His portrayal was praised by renowned critic Roger Ebert as a departure from his previous roles.
2004: Portraying Alexander the Great
Colin Farrell portrayed the historical figure Alexander the Great in Oliver Stone's 2004 epic "Alexander".
2004: Release and Controversy of "Alexander"
In 2004, Colin Farrell portrayed Alexander the Great in Oliver Stone's biographical film "Alexander." The film, while receiving mixed reviews, sparked controversy for its depiction of Alexander the Great's sexuality and historical accuracy.
December 2005: Enters Rehab
Colin Farrell checked himself into a rehabilitation center to address his addictions to recreational drugs and painkillers.
2005: Release of "The New World" and "Ask the Dust"
Colin Farrell starred in two period films in 2005. He played Captain John Smith in Terrence Malick's "The New World," a critically acclaimed historical romance about Pocahontas. He also appeared in "Ask the Dust," a Los Angeles-set romance based on John Fante's novel, alongside Salma Hayek, which received more mixed reviews.
January 2006: Farrell Sues Ex-Girlfriend Over Sex Tape
In January 2006, Colin Farrell filed a lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Narain, and the Internet Commerce Group (ICG) to prevent the release of a private sex tape they filmed in 2003.
April 2006: Farrell Settles with Narain Over Sex Tape
Colin Farrell reached a confidential settlement with Nicole Narain in April 2006 regarding the lawsuit over the distribution of their sex tape.
July 2006: Farrell Continues Legal Battle with ICG
Colin Farrell's lawsuit against ICG, regarding the distribution of the sex tape, proceeded with a trial date set for July 21, 2006, and was later amicably settled.
2006: Release of "Miami Vice"
Colin Farrell starred alongside Jamie Foxx in Michael Mann's action crime drama "Miami Vice" in 2006. The film performed well commercially, grossing over $164 million worldwide, and was later ranked among the top 50 movies of the decade by TimeOut New York.
2006: Starring in Michael Mann's "Miami Vice"
Colin Farrell starred in Michael Mann's stylish action crime drama "Miami Vice" in 2006.
2006: Achieves Sobriety
Colin Farrell successfully completed his rehab program and has remained sober since 2006, attributing this achievement in part to his eldest son, James.
February 2007: Commercial Success of "Miami Vice" DVD Release
By February 2007, the DVD release of "Miami Vice" had achieved significant commercial success, selling over a million copies in its first week alone and earning over $36.45 million in rentals.
October 2007: Reveals Son's Angelman Syndrome Diagnosis
In October 2007, Colin Farrell publicly shared that his son, James, has Angelman syndrome.
2007: Working with Woody Allen in "Cassandra's Dream"
Colin Farrell expanded his repertoire by starring in Woody Allen's psychological thriller "Cassandra's Dream" in 2007.
2007: Special Olympics World Games Spokesperson
In 2007, Colin Farrell joined a group of celebrities as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics World Games held in Shanghai.
2007: "Skulduggery Pleasant" Publication
The first book in the "Skulduggery Pleasant" series was published. Ten years later, the anniversary cover art would feature a character based on Colin Farrell's appearance in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."
2007: Begins Relationship with Muireann McDonnell
Colin Farrell began dating Muireann McDonnell, an Irish medical student. Their relationship lasted until 2008.
2007: Premiere of "Cassandra's Dream"
"Cassandra's Dream," a drama directed by Woody Allen and starring Colin Farrell, premiered in 2007. Farrell's performance in the film, which saw a US release in 2008, garnered positive reviews from critics.
2008: Premiere of "In Bruges" and Golden Globe Win
"In Bruges," Martin McDonagh's debut feature film starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Farrell's performance as hitman Ray was lauded by critics, earning him his first Golden Globe Award.
2008: Relationship with Muireann McDonnell Ends
Colin Farrell and Muireann McDonnell's relationship ended.
2008: Golden Globe Win for "In Bruges"
Colin Farrell's performance as a rookie hitman in Martin McDonagh's black comedy "In Bruges" (2008) earned him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
2008: Release of "Pride and Glory"
In 2008, Colin Farrell starred opposite Edward Norton in "Pride and Glory," a police drama directed by Gavin O'Connor. The film received mixed reviews, with some critics finding Farrell's performance to be over-the-top.
2008: US Release of "Cassandra's Dream"
Woody Allen's "Cassandra's Dream," starring Colin Farrell, was released in the US in 2008 after its premiere the previous year.
January 2009: Golden Globe Award for "In Bruges" and Role in "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
On January 11, 2009, Colin Farrell won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in "In Bruges." The same year, he joined Johnny Depp and Jude Law in Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," completing Heath Ledger's role after the actor's death. The trio donated their earnings to Ledger's daughter, Matilda.
October 7, 2009: Son Henry is Born
Colin Farrell welcomed his second son, Henry Tadeusz Farrell, on October 7, 2009. Henry's mother is Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curuś, whom Farrell met on the set of their film "Ondine."
2009: Release of "Ondine"
In 2009, Colin Farrell starred in "Ondine," a fantasy-drama directed by Neil Jordan, as a fisherman with a disabled daughter. The film, shot in Ireland, featured the work of renowned cinematographer Christopher Doyle and earned Farrell positive reviews for his performance.
2010: Splits with Alicja Bachleda-Curuś
Colin Farrell and Alicja Bachleda-Curuś, parents to his second son, went their separate ways.
September 2011: Filming of "Total Recall"
Colin Farrell filmed "Total Recall," a remake of the 1990 film, alongside Kate Beckinsale from May to September 2011 in Toronto.
2011: Release of "Horrible Bosses"
Colin Farrell joined an ensemble cast, including Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, and Jamie Foxx, in the 2011 comedy "Horrible Bosses." The film, about a group of friends plotting to kill their overbearing bosses, showcased Farrell in a comedic role that garnered positive attention.
2011: Exploring Comedy in "Horrible Bosses"
Colin Farrell showcased his comedic timing in the 2011 dark comedy "Horrible Bosses".
March 2012: Supports Anti-Bullying Campaign
Colin Farrell lent his support to the anti-bullying initiative "Stand Up!" organized by the Irish LGBT youth organization BeLonG To in March 2012. This advocacy was particularly significant as his brother, Eamonn, is openly gay. Farrell had also appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2010 to raise awareness about LGBT issues.
October 2012: Premiere of "Seven Psychopaths" and Critical Acclaim
"Seven Psychopaths," Colin Farrell's second collaboration with director Martin McDonagh, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in October 2012. Farrell starred as a struggling writer in the black comedy alongside Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Christopher Walken. The film performed well both commercially and critically, with Farrell receiving praise for his performance.
2012: Lead Role in "Total Recall" Remake
Colin Farrell took on the lead role in the 2012 remake of the science fiction film "Total Recall".
2012: Release of "Total Recall" Remake
Colin Farrell took on the role originated by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2012 remake of "Total Recall." The film, directed by Len Wiseman, received mixed reviews, with some critics drawing comparisons between Farrell and Schwarzenegger's performances.
March 2013: Dead Man Down Released
In March 2013, Colin Farrell starred in the thriller "Dead Man Down," directed by Niels Arden Oplev. He appeared alongside Terrence Howard, marking their first collaboration since "Hart's War" a decade prior. The film received mixed reviews.
2013: "The Lobster" Screenplay Award
The screenplay for "The Lobster" won the ARTE International Prize for Best CineMart 2013 Project at the 42nd Rotterdam International Film Festival.
2013: Opens Up About Personal Struggles
In 2013, Colin Farrell opened up about his personal struggles, revealing that he has insomnia and has dealt with bouts of depression and dark thoughts.
2013: Appearing in "Saving Mr. Banks"
Colin Farrell had a role in the 2013 biographical drama "Saving Mr. Banks", which explored the making of the Disney classic "Mary Poppins".
2014: Collaborating with Martin McDonagh in "Seven Psychopaths" and "Winter's Tale"
Colin Farrell continued his collaboration with director Martin McDonagh, appearing in the dark comedy "Seven Psychopaths" (2012) and the fantasy romance "Winter's Tale" (2014).
2014: Stars in "Winter's Tale" Adaptation
In 2014, Colin Farrell took on the lead role in the film adaptation of Mark Helprin's "Winter's Tale." The movie, written and directed by Akiva Goldsman, was based on Helprin's 1983 novel. Despite the film receiving generally negative reviews, Farrell's performance garnered praise from some critics.
2015: "The Lobster" Release
Colin Farrell starred in "The Lobster," a distinctive romantic science fiction thriller, in 2015. This marked Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos's English-language debut.
2015: Homeless World Cup Ambassador
Colin Farrell took on the role of an official ambassador for the Homeless World Cup in 2015. This organization uses soccer as a tool to empower and inspire homeless individuals to create positive change in their lives.
2015: Starring in "The Lobster" and Joining "True Detective"
In 2015, Colin Farrell starred in Yorgos Lanthimos's surreal black comedy "The Lobster" and joined the second season of HBO's acclaimed anthology crime series "True Detective".
2016: Joins "Fantastic Beasts" Franchise
Colin Farrell appeared in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," a spin-off film from the Harry Potter universe, in 2016. Interestingly, a stylized version of his promotional photo from the movie was later used for the character Nefarian Serpine on the tenth-anniversary cover of "Skulduggery Pleasant" (2007), the first book in the eponymous series.
2016: Entering the Wizarding World in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"
Colin Farrell joined the Harry Potter universe in 2016 with his role in the fantasy film "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them".
2017: Leading Roles in Multiple Films
Colin Farrell had a busy 2017, taking on leading roles in three films: "The Beguiled," "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," and "Roman J. Israel, Esq."
2017: Critical Acclaim for "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" and Thriller Roles
Colin Farrell received critical acclaim for his performance in Yorgos Lanthimos's psychological thriller "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" (2017). He also starred in the thrillers "The Beguiled" (2017) and "Widows" (2018).
2018: Tham Luang Cave Rescue
The Tham Luang cave rescue, a remarkable event in which a Thai boys' soccer team was rescued after being trapped in a flooded cave for 18 days, took place. Colin Farrell would later portray this event in the film "Thirteen Lives" (2022).
2018: Stars in "Widows" and Prepares for "Dumbo"
Colin Farrell co-starred in the thriller "Widows," directed by Steve McQueen. That same year, he also prepared for his role in Tim Burton's live-action adaptation of "Dumbo," which was released the following year.
2018: Returns to Rehab as Preventative Measure
Despite maintaining sobriety since 2006, Colin Farrell proactively checked himself into rehab in 2018 as a preventative measure to safeguard his ongoing recovery.
2018: Thriller Role in "Widows"
Colin Farrell starred in Steve McQueen's heist thriller "Widows" in 2018.
2019: Voice Acting in Disney's "Dumbo"
Colin Farrell lent his voice to the live-action adaptation of Disney's "Dumbo" in 2019.
2019: Stars as "Dumbo"'s Holt Farrier
Colin Farrell starred as Holt Farrier in Tim Burton's live-action adaptation of "Dumbo."
2020: Colin Farrell Named Ireland's Fifth-Greatest Film Actor
In 2020, The Irish Times recognized Colin Farrell's contribution to Irish cinema by naming him the fifth-greatest film actor from the country.
2022: Acclaim for "The Batman", "After Yang", "Thirteen Lives", and "The Banshees of Inisherin"
2022 marked a year of diverse roles and accolades for Colin Farrell. He portrayed the Penguin in "The Batman," starred in the science fiction drama "After Yang" and the survival film "Thirteen Lives," and reunited with Martin McDonagh for "The Banshees of Inisherin." His performance in "The Banshees of Inisherin" earned him the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival, his second Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
2022: "Thirteen Lives" and "The Batman" Released
Colin Farrell appeared in two major films in 2022: "Thirteen Lives," a film recounting the Tham Luang cave rescue, and Matt Reeves' "The Batman."
2023: Time Magazine Recognizes Colin Farrell's Global Influence
Colin Farrell's impact extended beyond acting, as Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.
February 2024: Cast in "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey"
It was announced in February 2024 that Colin Farrell would be starring opposite Margot Robbie in "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey," a film directed by Kogonada. Filming commenced in April of the same year.
August 7, 2024: Launches Colin Farrell Foundation
Colin Farrell announced the launch of the Colin Farrell Foundation on August 7, 2024, dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. This initiative was inspired by his son James, who has Angelman syndrome.