How a Dublin pipe salesman gave Cillian Murphy an acting class

The iconic Irish tobacconists may have played a big part in film history

Cillian Murphy nominated for Best Actor Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer

Niamh Horan

Three years ago, an unassuming man walked into Peterson of Dublin, the tobacconists on Nassau Street in Dublin, and asked the server behind the counter for help. His cover story was that he needed a pipe, because he wanted to quit smoking. The server, an Italian named Gianluigi Fiori, asked the stranger if he had a particular style in mind and the man pulled out a black and white picture.

It was a photo of Robert Oppenheimer, the “father” of the atomic bomb. Gianluigi instantly knew this wasn’t just your typical customer.

Tonight, as Cillian Murphy is tipped to become the first Irish-born actor to win the best actor Oscar for his title role in Oppenheimer, staff at the tobacconists recall the meticulous detail Murphy sought as he researched his role.

Cillian Murphy with his pipe in 'Oppenheimer'. Photo: Universal

A lifelong smoker, Robert Oppenheimer stuffed his ever-smouldering pipe with walnut tobacco made by the John Middleton company.

​Oppenheimer’s pipe features in the majority of photos of the physicist so when Murphy began working on the film, he knew this would be an important consideration.

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Murphy asked Gianluigi about the best way to to fill the bowl with tobacco, and how to light it — all the gestures a smoker would use.

While Gianluigi was showing all this to Murphy, the actor filmed him on his phone, in order to rehearse the routine. Gianluigi recommended a Peterson Aran 87 for Oppenheimer’s pipe, Murphy made the purchase and left a happy man. There were no photos taken, no autographs signed but if Murphy picks up the award, the staff at Peterson will know they’ve played their part in film history.