Irish actor Barry Keoghan's recent comments about his approach to fatherhood have prompted conversation online.
Keoghan, who spent time in foster care during his youth in Dublin, welcomed his first child, a son named Brando, in 2022 with his then-partner Alyson Sandro. Brando reportedly lives full-time with his mother in Scotland, while Keoghan is based in Los Angeles.
"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 because I don't have that figure to draw experience from and to base it on," Keoghan recently told Entertainment Weekly.
"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 little stuff like teaching your son this or teaching your daughter that."
Keoghan's quote prompted conversation after it was featured on the X account PopCrave, which boasts 1.8 million followers, on Saturday evening.
Barry Keoghan says he doesn't have a 'normal father-son relationship' with his child because of his own upbringing:
“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 because I… pic.twitter.com/MZTjCFbTGW
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 15, 2024
As of Monday afternoon, PopCrave's post has been viewed more than 13.4 million times and has drawn more than 700 comments.
The replies appear to be split, with some people accusing Keoghan of being an absentee father while others are commending him for recognizing his own tough upbringing and how it could impact his relationship with his son.
"okay but that doesn’t mean you have to live in your father’s shadow. be the change you want to see!" one person replied, drawing 24k likes.
"Reading comprehension is in the toilet," another person replied. "It seems to me that Barry is going to be a fantastic father to his son because he’s aware of his unideal experiences and wants to ensure they don’t impact his relationship with his son."
"That baby’s been here for 5 minutes lol Google it, Barry, you still have time," another quipped.
"'I didn’t have a father figure, so my relationship with my son isn’t like a typical father-son one' gurl time to break the cycle," another person responded.
Last month, Keoghan received similarly mixed comments on Instagram after posting a photo of him and his son.
Notably, Keoghan's Instagram bio simply says "B R A N D O" followed by a heart and shamrock emojis.
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Despite the chatter, Keoghan, who is now romantically linked with US popstar Sabrina Carpenter, has frequently spoken about his dedication to his son.
Earlier this year, Keoghan opened up about his son's birth, which occurred while he was filming the buzzy flick "Saltburn," which he ultimately landed Golden Globe, IFTA, and BAFTA nominations for.
“It was probably the best time of my life, to be quite fair," Keoghan told GQ in January. Havin’ a baby boy, and leadin’ a movie. It was the best time of my life, I must say—yeah.”
He added: “I feel a responsibility. I feel an enormous amount of pressure, which is good. And I can’t get the little boy off my mind. It’s beautiful.
"Y’know, it’s crazy, but when he looks at you, you feel like the most important person in the world. That’s the effect he has on me. He smiles at you and you’re like, 'Wow. You’re smiling at me like that? I don’t deserve that, but anyways, thanks.'"
Of Brando's mother, Keoghan told GQ: “She’s done a great job and she’s an incredible mother."
Barry Keoghan and Alyson Sandro in 2021. (Getty Images)
The following month, Keoghan offered similarly warm sentiments about fatherhood during a discussion with Vanity Fair.
"I’ve seen him grow. He’s amazing," Keoghan said of his son.
"You see little resemblances and little characteristics coming through, and it’s just beautiful.
"It’s a new territory for me, and I want to be the best person for him. It’s a very important thing for me—for him to be able to grow up and be proud of his daddy, and to lean on his daddy.
"And if he has questions or anything, I’m always there for him in that sense of learning and growing with him and failing.
"[Keoghan picks up a stuffed toy wolf.] I’ve got his little wolf here, innit? He’s young, but he’s full of cheekiness already. His smile breaks my heart. When he makes eye contact with you, you just melt."
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