
Barry Keoghan, the acclaimed actor, shares his heartbreaking childhood experiences, marked by his mother's heroin addiction and his journey through foster care.
- Nov 5, 2024
AceShowbiz - Barry Keoghan, the Oscar-nominated actor, has opened up about the profound impact of his mother's heroin addiction on his life. He was just 12 when his mother, Debbie, succumbed to an overdose, leaving him without a father and facing uncertainty.
As a result, Keoghan and his brother, Eric, spent a significant portion of their childhood in foster care, moving through 13 different homes before finding stability with their aunt and grandmother. Keoghan vividly recalls the unsettling car journeys between these homes, haunted by memories of longing and instability. "You don't forget those things," Keoghan shared. "It's a sickness."
Despite the pain, Keoghan remembers his mother fondly, describing her as "lovely" and "gorgeous." He expressed empathy for her struggles, recognizing the devastating grip that addiction can have on individuals and families.
To cope with his childhood trauma, Keoghan found solace in acting, which helped him overcome some of the emotional scars. However, he remains outspoken about the challenges of fatherhood, citing his own lack of a blueprint for parenting. "Of course, [my childhood] is going to affect me being a father when I had no blueprint to take from," he said.
Despite the criticism he has received for sharing his struggles, Keoghan maintains that he loves his son and strives to provide a stable home for him. He also emphasizes the importance of privacy, avoiding posting about his child on social media to protect him from judgment.