Barry Keoghan revealed that he faced a severe infection in 2021, almost costing him his life. In an interview with GQ, the Irish actor disclosed that he discovered he had necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesh-eating disease, just days before filming “The Banshees of Inisherin.”
The scar on Keoghan’s right arm, resembling a snake tattoo, became noticeable in his latest film, “Saltburn.” Fans on social media, including X (formerly Twitter), questioned its origin.
Keoghan, 31, didn’t disclose how he contracted the bacterial infection but mentioned that amputation was considered, and his survival was uncertain. When he asked doctors if he would die, their response was uncertain.
Necrotizing fasciitis can enter the body through skin breaks like cuts, scrapes, burns, wounds, or insect bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has a high fatality rate, with one in five patients succumbing to the infection.
Martin McDonagh, the writer and director of “The Banshees Of Inisherin,” checked on Keoghan in the hospital. Despite Keoghan’s swollen arm, he remained optimistic about the film’s shooting schedule and recovery. McDonagh left the hospital feeling energized and looking forward to the project.
In a hospital visit, McDonagh encouraged Keoghan by saying, “just remember this when you’ve been nominated for an Oscar.” Keoghan’s role as Dominic in the black comedy earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
Georgie Henley, known for her role as Lucy in “The Chronicles of Narnia,” previously shared her experience with necrotizing fasciitis at 18, which also posed a life-threatening situation and required surgeries to save her arm.
