Barry Keoghan, the talented Oscar-nominated actor, revealed in a recent profile by GQ, published on Tuesday, that he battled a severe illness before working on the 2022 film “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Keoghan, 31, shared that he suffered from necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and potentially fatal infection that jeopardized not only his career but also his life.
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The actor recalled asking his doctors if he was going to die and received an uncertain response: “Well, we don’t know.” He also faced the distressing possibility of needing to amputate his arm due to the severity of the infection.
Necrotizing fasciitis, known as a flesh-eating disease, can lead to serious complications such as sepsis, shock, organ failure, and even death, as explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
One in five cases is fatal, with survivors potentially facing limb loss or severe scarring.
Martin McDonagh, director of “Banshees of Inisherin,” recalled his visit to Keoghan before filming commenced, noting the severity of the situation with the actor’s swollen arm. Despite the challenges, Keoghan remained optimistic, pledging to be ready for filming.
This challenge didn’t hinder Keoghan from achieving notable success. He was nominated for the 2023 Oscar for his role in “Banshees,” alongside Colin Farrell, marking his first nomination for the prestigious award.
Keoghan is again in the race this year for his role in “Saltburn,” portraying a young man with a morbid obsession for an Oxford colleague, played by Jacob Elordi. The Irish actor has already shone in films like “Eternals,” “The Batman,” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.
