Bryan Murray, best known for his role as Trevor Jordache in the iconic soap Brookside, has moved into full-time care following his Alzheimer's diagnosis. The 76-year-old actor's wife, Una Crawford O'Brien, shared the news at the Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2026 last month, revealing that his needs had increased significantly over the past year. 'Over the past year, Bryan's needs became far greater, and he has now moved into full time care,' she said.
Murray was initially diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2019 but only went public with the news in 2022 to raise awareness. In an interview with The Irish Times, Una described how she has 'lost' her friend and companion, adding that Bryan is no longer the happy person he used to be. She has received support from The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
Despite appearing in just 24 episodes of Brookside, Murray's portrayal of Trevor Jordache, a violent and abusive murderer, left a lasting impact. He also played Bob Charles in the RTE soap Fair City for 20 years before retiring last year. His Fair City colleagues praised his professionalism, with Executive Producer Brigie de Courcy calling him 'an absolute consummate professional'.
Murray and his wife Una met while working on Fair City, where their on-screen affair mirrored their real-life romance. Speaking previously, Una reflected on the challenges of being a carer, noting that while caring for Bryan can be frustrating, he brought laughter back into her life. 'When we got together, he made me laugh so much, I fell off a chair!' she recalled.
Beyond soaps, Murray appeared in numerous British television shows, including Casualty, Holby City, The Bill, Silent Witness, and The Tudors. The Alzheimer's Tea Day, which Murray and his wife are supporting, takes place on Thursday, May 7, encouraging people to host tea parties to raise funds and awareness.
