In August 2021, just as he was gearing up to start filming “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Barry Keoghan received a devastating diagnosis that almost cost him his life. The Irish actor was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly known as flesh-eating disease. In a recent interview with GQ, Keoghan recounted the harrowing experience, revealing that the severity of the illness left him questioning his own mortality.
“I’m not gonna die, right?” Keoghan asked the doctors upon receiving the diagnosis. Their response was far from reassuring. “Well, we don’t know,” they said. According to the CDC, necrotizing fasciitis, which can be caused by various types of bacteria, claims the lives of one in five patients.
The potential consequences of the flesh-eating disease are dire, often resulting in the amputation of a limb. Keoghan faced this grim possibility, as the bacteria had entered his bloodstream through his arm. Fortunately, he managed to avoid amputation, ultimately preserving his limb. Director Martin McDonagh visited Keoghan in the hospital before filming was set to commence and was taken aback by the gravity of the situation. Despite the severity of his condition, Keoghan remained remarkably composed. “I’m not sure if he was on a lot of meds, but he seemed to shrug it off. … He was like, ‘Yeah, no, I’m going to be fine,” McDonagh recalled.
Although Keoghan ultimately made a full recovery, his road to healing was arduous. A 10-day hospital stay left him in excruciating pain, a sensation that persisted even after his discharge. When he arrived on set to begin filming, he still required assistance with dressing and undressing. “I may have been in a daze,” Keoghan admitted.
The actor’s experience with necrotizing fasciitis serves as a sobering reminder of the severity of this life-threatening condition. Keoghan’s resilience and determination to overcome the illness are a testament to his strength and fortitude. As he continues to pursue his career in the entertainment industry, Keoghan’s brush with mortality has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on his perspective.
The harrowing ordeal has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Keoghan, serving as a reminder of the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit. As he moves forward with his career in the entertainment industry, Keoghan’s experience with necrotizing fasciitis will undoubtedly inform his outlook on life and his approach to his craft.
