Barry Keoghan, the Irish actor known for his roles in Saltburn and Bird, recently opened up about how his unconventional upbringing and relationship with his two-year-old son Brando impacted his portrayal of fatherhood on-screen.

Keoghan, who shares Brando with his ex-partner Alyson Kierans, admitted that not having a father figure growing up made it difficult for him to rely on personal experience while preparing for his role in Bird.

While he emphasized that love for his son comes naturally, he found it more challenging to relate to the smaller aspects of fatherhood, such as teaching and guiding a child, due to his own lack of paternal role models.

To approach his role in Bird, Keoghan took an unusual route by interpreting the father-child dynamic in a more sibling-like way. During an interview at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, he shared that he played his character’s relationship with his child as being more like a brother and sister.

He explained that modern fatherhood can sometimes resemble sibling relationships, where fathers relate to their children as peers rather than in a traditionally authoritative role.

Keoghan’s own childhood was marked by instability. He and his brother Eric moved through 13 different foster homes while their mother battled drug addiction. He discussed these challenges during a 2018 interview, revealing that as a child, he often formed attachments to families only to be uprooted and placed in another home.

The loss of his mother at the age of 12 also left a significant impact, leaving him without a stable sense of home or belonging.

Despite the difficulties of his past, Keoghan has found support and stability in his romantic life. He has been in a relationship with singer Sabrina Carpenter, and they went public with their romance in early 2024.

Keoghan has shown great support for Carpenter’s music career, frequently promoting her work on social media and expressing his admiration for her achievements, including her album Short ‘N Sweet.

Keoghan’s life reflects his ability to overcome adversity both in his personal relationships and his career. His unconventional approach to fatherhood, both on-screen and in real life, shows his openness to new perspectives, while his resilience in the face of a troubled childhood demonstrates his strength.

His relationship with Carpenter and his commitment to his son Brando reveal his determination to create meaningful connections, despite the challenges he has faced.