Brookside actor Bryan Murray, best known for his role as the villainous Trevor Jordache in the hit 1990s soap, has made the heart-wrenching decision to move into full-time care as he continues his ongoing battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The 76-year-old, who has been living with the condition since his diagnosis in 2019, revealed his struggle publicly in 2022, after experiencing increasing difficulty in remembering lines and learning scripts.
In a new health update shared by his wife, Una Crawford O’Brien, Bryan’s journey with Alzheimer’s has become a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those living with the disease. Una shared the emotional decision she and Bryan had to make, expressing how Bryan’s needs had grown significantly over the past year, leading to his move into care. “Over the past year, Bryan’s needs became far greater, and he has now moved into full-time care. Up until now, I didn’t have time to think. My day was completely focused on Bryan and his needs,” Una wrote, adding that now she has time to miss him, reflecting the emotional toll the situation has taken on her.
The couple’s deep bond is evident in the shared moments and challenges they’ve faced together. Una also shared their commitment to helping others impacted by Alzheimer’s, particularly through events like the upcoming Alzheimer’s Tea Day on May 7. “Bryan and I would really love you to join us. You can take part in whatever way you want. You can host a huge tea party in your garden or simply put the kettle on and share a cuppa with friends,” Una encouraged her followers, emphasizing the importance of community support.
Bryan’s career as an actor spans over five decades, but his memory has increasingly become a challenge. The actor, who continued working on the Irish soap Fair City until his retirement in 2025, first began to notice difficulties in his memory while reading scripts. He recalled in an interview with the RTE Guide in 2022 that, as a younger actor, he could quickly memorize lines from a four-page script in just 15 minutes. But as he grew older, he found that after 30 minutes, he couldn’t remember anything he had read. “It was so upsetting. Memory was always my thing, and to have it taken away from you when you’ve been a professional actor for 52 years is hard,” Bryan shared candidly.
In a deeply personal reflection, Bryan acknowledged the profound impact of Alzheimer’s on his life, but he also sought to reassure others facing the diagnosis. “It’s not the end of the world. It’s the changing of your work, but not the end. There is an answer to it,” he said. His public openness about the disease has been a source of comfort and inspiration for others, showing that life can continue in meaningful ways despite the challenges Alzheimer’s brings.
Bryan’s journey with Alzheimer’s is made even more poignant by the fact that his mother also suffered from the disease. As part of the 2019 Fair City tour, Bryan performed in Halcyon Days, a play addressing dementia. During the tour, Una first noticed signs that something was amiss with Bryan, such as his struggles with lines and growing irritability when he couldn’t recall things. After pushing him to get his memory checked, Bryan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Reflecting on Bryan’s career, Una shared how the production team at Fair City had been incredibly supportive, ensuring that he was given the necessary assistance on set. “Even when your memory is going, your coping mechanisms are still intact,” Bryan said of his time working on the show. Despite the diagnosis, he was determined to continue working for as long as he could, displaying resilience and a positive attitude toward his condition.
Una, who has been by Bryan’s side through this difficult time, opened up about how the disease has affected their relationship. “If people are now coming to the realisation that they have this themselves, and they see Bryan, they hear he has been diagnosed three years ago, they see him on television and maybe think, ‘Okay, if that is him after three years – and it’s not easy – but maybe it gives some comfort,’” she said. “That is what Bryan wanted to get out.”
Their relationship, founded on friendship and strengthened by love, began in 2005 when they met on the set of Fair City. Both were in the process of separating from their respective partners, and their connection quickly blossomed into romance. Together, they have faced significant personal loss, including Una’s tragic loss of a daughter, Sorcha, to cot death.
Bryan, who is a father to five children from his previous marriages, has always been a family man. He has been married twice before, first to Angela Harding, with whom he shares a daughter, Laura, and later to Juliet Ramsay, with whom he has four children: Henry, Florence, Eva, and Gracie.
While Bryan’s memory struggles have certainly affected him, he has refused to let them define him. He has been open about the difficulties of not being able to remember lines for scripts, something he had done effortlessly for decades. Despite these challenges, Bryan’s determination to continue acting for as long as possible speaks volumes about his resilience.
Bryan’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of illness. His decision to publicly share his diagnosis and experiences with Alzheimer’s has helped raise awareness about the condition and has provided comfort to others going through similar battles. He has shown that even with Alzheimer’s, life is not over – it’s simply a different journey.
Through his continued efforts, including participating in events like Alzheimer’s Tea Day and supporting others facing the same diagnosis, Bryan’s legacy extends far beyond his acting career. His willingness to be open about his struggles with Alzheimer’s has provided a platform for others to share their experiences, showing that there is hope even when facing one of the most challenging conditions.
As Bryan transitions into full-time care, his family and fans remain by his side, supporting him through this next chapter. Una’s unwavering dedication to Bryan, even as she navigates the complexities of caregiving, speaks to the strength of their bond and their shared commitment to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s. For Bryan, this new phase of his life is not an end but a continuation of his journey, one that continues to inspire and encourage others.
