Five Facts About Colin Farrell You May Have Never Known
Colin Farrell is hitting plenty of headlines at the moment with awards season in full flow.
He narrowly missed out on a Bafta just days ago, and it’s all building up to the Oscars, where he is nominated for Best Actor after starring in the Banshees of Inisherin alongside Brendan Gleeson.
The movie has once again thrust Farrell towards critical acclaim, and he is certainly worthy should he collect the gong on March 13.
As we build up towards the big day, we thought we’d delve a little deeper into Farrell’s life with these five facts you may never have known about him…
He was a professional footballer
Before he became an actor, Colin Farrell had dreams of becoming a professional footballer. He played for the Dublin-based team Castleknock Celtic for several years, and even had a trial with the UK club Manchester United. However, a knee injury put an end to his football career, and he turned his attention to acting instead.
He has a son with a rare genetic disorder
In 2003, Colin Farrell became a father for the first time to a son named James. However, James was born with Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system. The condition causes developmental delays, seizures, and difficulty with movement and balance. Despite the challenges that come with raising a child with a rare disorder, Farrell has been a devoted father to James and has spoken publicly about his love and admiration for his son.
He has struggled with addiction
Colin Farrell has been open about his struggles with addiction, which began in his early 20s. He has spoken about his battles with alcohol and drug addiction, and has credited his family, friends, and 12-step recovery programs with helping him to stay sober. He has checked into alcohol rehab a number of times, as well as being a vocal advocate for addiction recovery, and has worked to raise awareness of the issue through his philanthropic work.
He is a published author
In addition to his acting career, Colin Farrell is also a published author. In 2017, he released a book titled “The Silent City,” which tells the story of a homeless man living on the streets of Dublin. The book was well-received by critics and readers alike, and showed a different side of Farrell’s creative talents.
He almost played Alexander the Great
One of Colin Farrell’s most famous roles was in the 2004 epic “Alexander,” in which he played the titular role of Alexander the Great. However, he was not the first choice for the role. Initially, the part was offered to actor Heath Ledger, who turned it down. Other actors who were considered for the role included Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. Ultimately, the role went to Farrell, who delivered a powerful performance that earned him critical acclaim.
