“He’s always number one for me”: Cillian Murphy Claims Even His Oscar Win Won’t Make Him More Famous Than 1 Manchester United Legend

Before reaching the pinnacle of his career with global recognition and major awards, Cillian Murphy once had a moment that perfectly captured his personality—quiet, grounded, and subtly humorous—during an interview ahead of the Oscars.

At the time, Murphy was one of the most talked-about names in the Best Actor race thanks to his powerful performance in Oppenheimer. International media widely tipped him as a frontrunner, while fans saw it as the moment he would step into the very top tier of global cinema.

Yet amid all the praise and expectation, Murphy responded in a way that felt unmistakably like him.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, when asked whether he could become the most famous person to come out of Cork, the actor gave an answer that caught many off guard: “I mean, to me, no one will be more famous than Roy Keane coming out of Cork!”

He didn’t stop there, reinforcing his admiration for the Manchester United legend with a touch of humor: “I'm a big Roy Keane fan, so he's always number one for me. Sorry, Graham!”

The remark was lighthearted, but it also revealed something deeper about Murphy—a man who remains detached from the idea of fame, even when he stands at its very peak.

At that same moment, he also reflected on what it felt like to suddenly become the center of attention in the film world. Rather than speaking about pressure or pride, he described it as something far more overwhelming and humbling.

“At the moment, it's just this kind of whirlwind and it's so humbling and overwhelming and you're just kind of in it,” he said, as if still processing the scale of what was happening around him.

Despite being on the verge of one of the biggest achievements of his career, Murphy remained clear about what drives him. For him, awards were never the goal.

'I'm a big Roy Keane fan' - Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy calls Man Utd legend his 'number one' as he scoops best actor at the Oscars

“You know, everyone says this but it's true: no one makes films to win awards; we just make them because we enjoy making them.”

It’s a simple statement, but one that reflects a deeply rooted philosophy—where passion takes precedence over recognition.

Looking back now, as Murphy stood in the middle of that “whirlwind” of attention and expectation, his words carry even more weight. Not because they made headlines, but because they revealed a rare sense of authenticity in how a major star navigates fame.

And perhaps it is precisely that calm, grounded perspective—combined with a clear sense of self—that has allowed Cillian Murphy not only to captivate audiences on screen, but also to maintain his identity in an industry defined by constant change.