Actors giving back to their communities is a rare instance that always manages to win the hearts of fans. Often, high profile actors are paid in millions for certain roles which end up defining their careers and establishing their names in the industry.
Cillian Murphy faced the same with Oppenheimer which skyrocketed his popularity and cemented his capability as an actor in the industry. According to speculations and reports, the star was paid up to $10 million for his role as the theoretical physicist, and he put the money to wise use. The Peaky Blinders actor and his wife used their influence and finances to save a local theatre which held an emotional value for him.
Cillian Murphy’s steady rise to success
Cillian Murphy collaborated with Christopher Nolan several times through his appearance as the Scarecrow in The Dark Knight trilogy, and later in Inception and Dunkirk. But it wasn’t until Steven Knight‘s period crime drama, Peaky Blinders, that the actor’s popularity saw an ascending rise.
Playing Tommy Shelby, one of his most complex yet charming onscreen characters, the actor gained a steady fan following. This is probably how he found himself working with Nolan once again, this time in a biographical film about the development of the first nuclear weapons.
Oppenheimer created a platform for the actor to showcase his acting chops alongside others like Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and more. Coupled with fan’s love and critics’ appreciation, Murphy also won his first Oscar for Best Actor through this film.
As per many reports and public speculation, the Irish actor was paid a handsome sum of $10 million for his ground-breaking role. Although his official salary was not confirmed, many sites analyzed it to be around the massive figure (via NME).
Several stars have confessed to splurging their first big paychecks on dream cars or luxury items. Madelaine Petsch bought a Cartier ring, Donald Glover went all out with candies, Johnny Depp bought a house for his mother whereas Jennifer Lopez bought a Mercedes (via PEOPLE). But Murphy’s investment melted even the most stone-cold hearts online.
Cillian Murphy’s newest asset that made the public coo
Instead of purchasing a luxurious car, or a comfortable villa, or investing to gain valuable returns, the Intermission actor chose to perform an act of goodwill. Murphy and his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, bought a historic property to give back to their community.
Dingle’s Phoenix cinema had been the town’s treasured establishment and held a special connection for the Oscar-winning actor. The building had been in operation for about 105 years, entertaining the masses through generations (via Irish Independent).
I’ve been going to see films at the Phoenix since I was a young boy on summer holidays. My Dad saw movies there when he was a young man before me…We recognise what the cinema means to Dingle.
Speaking to the reporters, the Oppenheimer star spoke about the emotional connection the entire town and his family shared with the theatre. His wife too supported her husband’s actions stating they wanted to restart the cinema which gave them so much love.
We want to open the doors again, expand the creative potential of the site, re-establishing its place in the cultural fabric of this unique town.
Good step.. Celebrities giving back to the community.
— Eco Vibes 🌍 (@EcoVibeExplorer) November 22, 2024
Cillian Murphy is a king. pic.twitter.com/6Vn3ih7Q53
— CHRIS ｜ CRJB 🏴 (@crjb_) November 22, 2024
Saving cinema 👏
— FDFS Chandra (@saichndra) November 22, 2024
That is so nice of him. Phoenix Murphy sure sounds right.
— ¢løver (@burberryclover) November 22, 2024
Awesome. We need to preserve our historical cinemas. It’s such a shame to see so many dying.
— Mike Nease (@nease) November 22, 2024
The pair’s collective actions to revive a historical establishment that held significant cultural value impressed many online. Fans praised the Academy Award winner actor for his generosity and down-to-earth nature which was further elevated through this purchase.
Oppenheimer is currently available to watch on Prime Video.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
