via Getty  

Saltburn Actor Barry Keoghan Shares Personal Journey of his Mother’s Overdose and Battle with Substance Abuse

Barry Keoghan is reminiscing on moments with his deceased mother, Debbie.

advertisement

  via Getty  

In a recent GQ _cover story released on Tuesday, Keoghan, who is 31 years old, discussed his upbringing in Dublin without a father. 

advertisement

  via Getty  

Also, the loss of his mother during his childhood, and his time in the foster care system before discovering his passion for acting. 

advertisement

  via Getty  

Despite achieving stardom and receiving critical acclaim for his role in Saltburn and his nomination for an Academy Award last year for The Banshees of Inisherin, the actor revealed that he still experiences a profound sense of isolation.

  via Getty  

According to Keoghan, when he is alone, he thinks about his mother. 

  via Getty  

Despite her passing many years ago, she remains on his mind. 

  via Getty  

This is especially true when he achieves something, as he wishes he could celebrate with her.

When he was asked to reveal what he thinks about when he feels alone, he said, “When I’m isolated? Obviously, my mother.

  via Getty  

  via Getty  

“My mother, always. She’s many years passed now, but I always think about her anyway. It’s always just in and around achievements that it’s really prominent—’cause you’d like to celebrate that wit’ ’er, y’know?”

  via Getty  

“I don’t know why. She’d be like, ‘Where’s my little Timmy?’ I’d love to make her laugh, and just dance for her.”

  via Getty  

According to a report by The Irish Post in 2019, Keoghan’s mother passed away due to a heroin overdose when he was 12 years old, after struggling with addiction. 

  via Getty  

Following this, the actor and his brother Eric resided in 13 foster homes before eventually moving in with their grandmother. 

  via Getty  

Keoghan shared with GQ that his grandmother, Debbie, was aware of his love for performing and affectionately referred to him as “little Timmy.”

  via Getty  

The individual expressed that they were uncertain of the reason, but the person in question would often ask, “Where is my dear Timmy?” 

  via Getty  

The speaker enjoyed making this person laugh and would even dance for their entertainment.

  via Getty  

According to him, Debbie was hospitalized and the article mentions that she was not a significant part of his life until her death. 

  via Getty  

It is stated that she was struggling with various issues.

  via Getty  

In another part of the article, Keoghan remembers his time in the foster care system and how his grandmother, aunt, and cousin eventually came to live together after his mother’s passing. Keoghan expressed his determination to purchase a home for them.

  via Getty  

According to Keoghan, his experience growing up in Dublin is not uncommon, as he explained to the outlet.

  via Getty  

Dublin 1, also known as the postcode 1, is considered the true inner city. 

  via Getty  

According to him, it is the core of the city. 

  via Getty  

He continued to say that just like any other inner city, it too has its share of issues and challenges that people have to face. 

  via Getty  

It seems like everyone there is dealing with similar struggles.

  via Getty  

In addition to featuring in Saltburn, Keoghan also made an appearance in the 2023 installment of the Netflix show Top Boy

  via Getty  

His next role will be that of an American World War II pilot in the soon-to-be-released Apple TV+ miniseries Masters of the Air, which is scheduled to premiere on Jan. 26.