Cillian Murphy, the Irish actor best known for his strikingly intense performances in films like Inception, Dunkirk, and The Dark Knight Trilogy, has built an enduring reputation for portraying somber, complex characters. Whether playing the menacing Scarecrow or the brooding Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders, Murphy’s screen presence exudes gravitas and mystery. However, those who have seen him off-screen—on talk shows, interviews, or casual interactions—know there’s far more to this talented actor than his intense on-screen persona. Beneath the carefully crafted intensity lies a playful, charming, and sometimes downright hilarious individual who is far less serious than his roles suggest.

In this article, we take a deep dive into five of Cillian Murphy’s funniest and most memorable moments during interviews, showcasing the actor’s wit, humor, and ability to embrace a lighter side that contrasts with his stoic characters. From surprising dance moves to prank-playing dad antics, Cillian’s humor is as captivating as his performances.

1. The “I’m Not That Serious” Moment (Graham Norton Show)

One of Cillian Murphy’s funniest moments happened on The Graham Norton Show, a program known for its lively atmosphere and often hilarious celebrity banter. When Graham Norton, the witty host, asked Murphy about the often serious nature of his roles, Murphy responded with a laugh that quickly turned into one of his most iconic quips.

“I’m actually not that serious,” Murphy said, in his characteristic deadpan delivery. “I mean, look at me—I’m absolutely hilarious. It’s just that people don’t believe me because of the roles I take on.”

The audience roared with laughter, not just because of the remark, but because of the way Murphy said it—without breaking a smile, in true dry-wit fashion. His ability to deliver such a statement with sincerity, yet make it clear that he was joking, highlighted the stark contrast between his on-screen persona and his real-life personality.

This was a rare glimpse into the actor’s self-awareness, revealing that Murphy understands the typecasting that comes with his roles but isn’t afraid to poke fun at it. Given that his roles often require him to be the serious, calculating, or tortured soul, fans had never imagined that the actor himself was a source of humor. The contrast between his brooding character and his comedic timing was striking, and it left fans reconsidering their perceptions of the actor.

2. The Unexpected Dance Moves (The Ellen DeGeneres Show)

Cillian Murphy is rarely seen letting loose on camera—after all, his career is built on playing characters who carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. So, when he appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the last thing anyone expected was to see Murphy showcasing his dance moves. Yet, in a completely unexpected twist, Ellen DeGeneres, ever the prankster, asked Murphy to show the audience his best dance moves.

“I don’t really… dance,” Murphy stammered, clearly reluctant, yet clearly game to humor the audience. With an exaggerated sigh, he stood up, and the studio held its breath. What followed was a surprising burst of spontaneous movement—awkward, yet endearing. Murphy gave the audience a quirky, offbeat performance that sent the crowd into fits of laughter. It wasn’t so much that he was a brilliant dancer; it was the sheer unexpectedness of it. The image of this serious actor—who could convincingly portray a military officer or a villain—letting go and getting silly was enough to make this moment a fan favorite.

The audience’s reaction was priceless. Ellen, always quick with a joke, gave Murphy a playful round of applause, noting that he had “moves that no one saw coming.” Fans couldn’t get enough of this moment because it shattered the image of the tight-lipped actor and revealed an authentic, lighthearted side of Murphy that only emerged when he was no longer in character. It was a reminder that Murphy’s depth as an actor is matched by his charm and willingness to embrace the humor in life.

3. “Scaring His Kids” Interview (The Late Late Show with James Corden)

On The Late Late Show, Cillian Murphy was once again caught off guard, this time revealing a hilarious aspect of his personal life—his love for pranking his children. While discussing his life as a father, Murphy admitted that he often enjoys dressing up in terrifying costumes to scare his kids. What’s more, he described it with such joy and mischievousness that the audience could hardly believe the same man who played the menacing Scarecrow on screen could be such a playful father.

“I mean, they don’t see it coming,” Murphy said, chuckling. “I’ll just pop into their room dressed as a zombie or something and they’ll freak out. It’s hilarious.” His tone was light and full of affection, showing that, as much as he enjoys his intense roles, he also relishes moments of harmless fun, particularly with his family.

James Corden, who is known for his infectious laughter, couldn’t contain himself as he probed deeper into these pranks. “What does your wife think?” Corden asked. Murphy’s response was delivered in his signature deadpan style: “She finds it hilarious until she has to deal with the aftermath. Then she’s not so pleased.” The audience erupted in laughter at the thought of Murphy’s wife, likely used to her husband’s darker roles, having to deal with the chaos of a zombie-dad prank in the middle of the night.

This interview revealed another side of Cillian Murphy that fans don’t often see: the playful, dad-joker side of him that was entirely different from his on-screen demeanor. It was the perfect moment to remind the world that behind the complex roles lies a father who enjoys goofing around with his kids, just like any other dad.

4. The “Don’t Ask Me About Batman” Moment (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)

Another hilarious Cillian Murphy moment came during his appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, when the actor was asked about his time on the Dark Knight trilogy, particularly about his villainous role as Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow. While Murphy is no stranger to questions about his time in the Batman franchise, he had a very funny, if somewhat sarcastic, response to Fallon’s inquiry.

“Look, I’m just going to say it once—don’t ask me about Batman anymore,” Murphy said, raising his hand in mock seriousness. “Every time I come on these shows, it’s Batman this and Batman that. It’s like, ‘Hello, I’ve done other things.'”

The audience burst into laughter as Murphy’s playful exasperation became the highlight of the segment. What made this moment so funny wasn’t just his words, but the way he said them—light-hearted, but with just enough exaggeration to show that he was in on the joke. As much as Murphy appreciated his role in The Dark Knight Trilogy, it was clear that the constant questions about the iconic superhero film were becoming a bit tiresome. This was his way of poking fun at the way his career was sometimes reduced to one role, despite his impressive body of work.

5. The “Secretly a Master of Impressions” Moment (The Late Late Show with James Corden)

Another unforgettable moment came during a Late Late Show appearance, when Murphy was asked to do an impression of a famous person—something most actors dread. However, Cillian Murphy’s response wasn’t just any impression—it was a dead-on, hilarious impersonation of none other than his Dunkirk co-star, Tom Hardy.

“I don’t do impressions, really, but let me try something,” Murphy said before launching into a perfectly exaggerated version of Hardy’s growl-like voice, mimicking his accent and mannerisms to a tee. The audience, clearly impressed, roared with laughter as Murphy continued, not missing a beat.

The humor wasn’t just in the impersonation itself but in how perfectly Murphy captured Hardy’s distinctive style, showcasing an unexpected talent. His impersonation was so accurate, it had Corden, who had worked with Hardy in the past, cracking up and remarking, “I’ve never seen Tom do that, but it’s spot on!”

This impromptu display of comedic skill—along with the warm camaraderie between Murphy and Corden—revealed a playful and quick-witted side to Murphy that fans were delighted to see.

Conclusion: A Side of Cillian Murphy We Don’t See Enough

Cillian Murphy has spent much of his career cultivating a reputation for playing dark, intense characters. But the actor’s off-screen persona is a refreshing contrast to his on-screen roles, showcasing a side of him that is warm, funny, and occasionally downright goofy. From deadpan one-liners to unexpected dance moves and playful pranks, Murphy has shown that he doesn’t take himself too seriously and isn’t afraid to make his fans laugh.

For those who only know Murphy through his films, these moments serve as a reminder that the actor’s talents extend beyond his ability to portray tortured souls and villains. Whether he’s impersonating his co-stars, scaring his kids, or cracking jokes about his on-screen typecasting, Cillian Murphy’s humor is just as captivating as his serious roles—and it’s these moments of levity that make him all the more endearing to his fans.