Cillian Murphy

May 25, 1976.

Douglas, Cork, Ireland.

Cillian Murphy is known for his starring role as Jim in Danny Boyle's zombie hit 28 Days Later.

Cillian Murphy spent time in a slaughterhouse to research for his role as a butcher in the period drama Girl With A Pearl Earring.

His first name is pronounced "Kill-ian."

Cillian Murphy plays in a Frank Zappa-influenced band called 'Sons of Mr. Greengenes.'

For more of Cillian Murphy, see our photo gallery.

Irish actor Cillian Murphy first rose to international fame with a lead role in 28 Days Later, directed by Trainspotting's Danny Boyle. Murphy reteamed with the Scottish director for Sunshine, about team of astronauts set out on a mission to re-ignite a part of the dying sun. He starred in Ken Loach's The Wind That Shakes The Barley, which received the Golden Palm at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

2005 was also a break out year for Irish actor Cillian Murphy with three starring roles in three major films: Wes Craven's horror film Red Eye, Christopher Nolan's summer blockbuster Batman Begins and Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan's moving drama Breakfast on Pluto. The charming young actor first made his mark with a stunning performance in Disco Pigs both in the award-winning stage show and the film version. His major film and television credits include John Carney's On The Edge, Wiliam Boy's The Trench, and the lead role in the drama series The Way We Live Now. Cillian was also seen on the stage at the Edinburgh Festival playing Konstantine in The Seagull. Still active in the theater, he played the lead role of Christy in Playboy of the Western World at the Gaiety Theater in Dublin in 2004.

Other film appearances include Peter Webber's Girl With A Pearl Earring, John Crowley's Intermission, and John Carney's Zonad.