Barry Keoghan Opens Up About How Being a Dad to Son Brando, 2, Influenced His Role inBird:'Love Is Pure'

Mar. 15, 2025

Barry Keoghan.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty

Barry Keoghan at the 81st Golden Globe Awards

Gilbert Flores/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty

Barry Keoghanis opening up about his relationship with his son.

TheSaltburnactor, 31, spoke withEntertainment Weeklyabout his new movieBird, which depicts a tumultuous relationship between a single father and his daughter. Keoghan noted that in preparation for the film, he drew on his experiences growing up and now as a father to sonBrando, 2, to get into character.

“I’ll just say this — I didn’t have a father figure growing up, so even my relationship with my son isn’t quite of the normal father-son relationship,” he told the outlet. “Because I don’t have that figure to draw from and to base it on.”

“Love, you don’t need anything to draw from. Love is pure, and so I’m not on about that, but I’m on about stuff like teaching your son this or teaching your daughter that.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Barry Keoghan.Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Barry Keoghan

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Keoghan shares his son with ex-girlfriend Alyson Sandro.

In August, Keoghan posteda selfiewith his son,Brando, on Instagram. In the rare photo, he posedalongside the toddler as the little boyplayed with toys on a table.

Although Brando has strawberry-blond hair that is lighter than his dad’s, he is clearly a mini version of the Irish actor. The pair share the same bright blue eyes and rosy cheeks.

Keoghan gave insight into his son’s personality in the caption, and it seems the duo have some irresistible traits in common.

“He’s more of a charmer than I am. Our wee Brando ☘️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿,” the actor captioned the photo.

In January 2024, Keoghan toldGQin an interview thathe only got one day off from filmingSaltburnwhen Brando was born.

“They gave me a day off,” theMasters of the Airstar said. “Good on them! Day off, and straight on to night shoots and night feedings — boom!”

He also revealed that he named his son afterMarlon Brando, whom he has long admired.

“Brando Keoghan. Imagine that, for a name!” Keoghan toldGQ. “I set him up. Brando Keoghan, piano player. I obviously love Marlon Brando, but I just, yeah — for a first name I thought it was quite cool. To have Brando in your name — f—–' hell, man!”

“He’s got a lot to live up to, that kid. But he’ll live up to it. He has to have that leather jacket and rock-star attitude, you know what I mean? He’ll have a motorbike when he’s 12, I think,” he joked.

source: people.com