Barry Keoghan: Bullying Online Drives Actor to Consider Quitting Acting
- Oscar-nominated actor Barry Keoghan is grappling with a surge of online abuse, leading him to reconsider his future in acting and significantly curtail his public life.
- Keoghan, who deactivated his social media accounts in 2024 in response to the harassment, explained in a recent interview with SiriusXM that the abuse continues to impact him...
- The actor described a growing sense of withdrawal, stating he’s “shying away” and “going inside myself,” and “not want[ing] to attend places, not want[ing] to go outside.” This...
Keoghan Steps Back as Online Abuse Intensifies
Oscar-nominated actor Barry Keoghan is grappling with a surge of online abuse, leading him to reconsider his future in acting and significantly curtail his public life. The 33-year-old Irish actor, currently starring in the final installment of the “Peaky Blinders” series and preparing for a role as Ringo Starr in an upcoming four-film Beatles biopic, revealed the toll the negativity is taking on his well-being.
Keoghan, who deactivated his social media accounts in 2024 in response to the harassment, explained in a recent interview with SiriusXM that the abuse continues to impact him despite his absence from those platforms. He finds himself hesitant to attend events, fearing the reaction and scrutiny that follows. “There’s a lot of hate online. There’s a lot of abuse of how I look,” he said, adding that the situation has progressed beyond the typical criticism actors face.
The actor described a growing sense of withdrawal, stating he’s “shying away” and “going inside myself,” and “not want[ing] to attend places, not want[ing] to go outside.” This retreat isn’t simply a matter of personal discomfort; Keoghan expressed concern that the negativity is beginning to affect his artistic process. “When that starts leaking into your art, it becomes a problem because then you don’t even want to be on screen anymore,” he admitted.
The intensity of the online harassment is also causing Keoghan to worry about the impact on his three-year-old son, Brando. He expressed disappointment at the prospect of his child encountering the hateful comments as he grows older. This concern adds another layer to the actor’s distress, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of online abuse.
While Keoghan acknowledged the existence of a supportive fanbase, the prevalence of negativity has become overwhelming. The actor’s experience underscores a growing trend of actors facing intense scrutiny and harassment online, particularly regarding their physical appearance. This isn’t an isolated incident; several actors have spoken out about the damaging effects of online criticism in recent years, prompting discussions about the need for greater accountability and protection for public figures.
Keoghan’s situation raises questions about the sustainability of a career in the public eye amidst the relentless onslaught of online negativity. His contemplation of stepping away from acting serves as a stark warning about the mental health toll of online abuse and the potential loss of talent it could cause. As actors increasingly navigate the complexities of social media and public perception, the need for strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of online harassment becomes ever more critical.
The actor’s upcoming role as Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes’ Beatles project offers a potential respite, allowing him to immerse himself in a character and a project that may provide a creative outlet away from the direct glare of public scrutiny. However, the underlying issue of online abuse remains, and it remains to be seen whether Keoghan can find a way to reconcile his passion for acting with the challenges of maintaining his well-being in the digital age.