Cillian Murphy Ends 'Exhilarating'OppenheimerJourney with His First Oscar Win: 'I'm a Proud Irish Man'

Mar. 15, 2025

Oppenheimerstar Cillian Murphy wins Best Actor at the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 10, 2024.Photo:Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Cillian Murphyjust nabbed his first-everAcademy Award.

TheOppenheimerstar, 47, won Best Actor at Sunday’s 2024 Oscars thanks to his performance asJ. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, inBest Director winnerChristopher Nolan-directed biopic.

In his acceptance speech, Murphy thanked Nolan, 53, the Academy and more, admitting he was feeling “a little overwhelmed” at the honor.

“It’s been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey you’ve taken me on over the last 20 years. I owe you more than I can say,” he continued. “Thank you so much [to] every single crew member, every single cast member, onOppenheimer; you guys carried me through. All my fellow nominees, I remain in awe of you guys. Truly.”

The actor went on to thank his “incredible team” and his family, including wife of nearly 20 yearsYvonne McGuinnessand their sonsMalachy, 18, and Aran, 16, who were in the audience. “I love you so much, and I’m a very proud Irish man standing here tonight,” he said.

Murphy continued, “We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb. And for better or for worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world, so I would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.”

He concluded his speech, “Go raibh míle maith agaibh” — an Irish saying which means “Thank you.”

The other nominees in the Best Actor category wereBradley CooperforMaestro,Colman DomingoforRustin,Paul GiamattiforThe HoldoversandJeffrey WrightforAmerican Fiction.

Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer inOppenheimer(2023).Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

The summer blockbusterOppenheimerhas produced several award-winning performances, including Murphy in the title role, his first lead part with longtime collaborator Nolan.

ThePeaky Blindersstar’s portrayal of Oppenheimer’s moral dilemmas earned him critical acclaim, and heraked in winsat theGolden Globes,BAFTAsandSAG Awardsearlier this year, among other assorted accolades.

“He knew it was going to be a behemoth ask when Chris called him. But I think he also had the humility that is required to survive playing a role like this,” added Downey, 58, whose portrayal Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Lewis Strauss scored him his first Oscar 31 years after his Best Actor nomination forChaplin.

Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein inMaestro(2023).Jason McDonald/Netflix

Jason McDonald/Netflix

Fellow nominee Cooper, 49, earned his fifth acting nod at the Academy Awards for his portrayal of legendary conductorLeonard BernsteininMaestro.

Over this past awards season, Cooper picked up several nods for his work onMaestro. He was nominated at the Golden Globes,Critics Choice Awards, BAFTAs and SAG Awards. He also garnered praise as the film’s director and co-writer.

Maestroearned atotal of seven nominationsahead this year’s Academy Awards ceremony, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

Paul Giamatti inThe Holdovers(2023).Seacia Pavao/Focus Features

Seacia Pavao/Focus Features

Giamatti, 56, stars alongside Dominic Sessa and newly minted Oscar winnerDa’Vine Joy RandolphinAlexander Payne’s dramedyThe Holdovers. As strict boarding school teacher Paul Hunham, Giamatti received acclaim for his delivery of a poignant arc.

TheSidewaysactor has had a dream awards season, nabbing aCritics Choice winand athird Golden Globe, as well as BAFTA and SAG Award nods. He was last nominated at the Oscars 18 years ago, for Best Supporting Actor in 2005’sCinderella Man.

Before attending his dad’s alma mater for undergraduate and graduate degrees, a teen Giamatti attended a boarding school “very similar” to the one inThe Holdovers, hepreviously told PEOPLE.

“There’s a wealth of stuff I’m drawing from my own past with this character," he said.

Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin inRustin(2023).NETFLIX

NETFLIX

Domingo, 54, received his first Oscar nod at this year’s ceremony for his role asBayard Rustin, a civil-rights activist who worked closely withMartin Luther King Jr.to organize the March on Washington.

TheEmmy-winningEuphoriaactor’s performance inRustinnotched him nominations at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and SAG Awards.

Domingo, who has Belizean and Guatemalan heritage, is thefirst Afro Latino to ever be nominated for Best Actor.

Jeffrey Wright inAmerican Fiction(2023).Claire Folger

Claire Folger

InAmerican Fiction, Wrightportrays writer Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a frustrated novelist who writes a stereotypically Black book out of spite, only for it to become his best-selling work.

Based on Percival Everett’s 2001 novelErasure, the comedy follows Monk as he navigates the repercussions of the book on his career and family.

Wright, 58, notched his first Oscar nomination for his critically acclaimed performance as Monk. Throughout awards season, he has raked in nominations at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and SAG Awards.

American Fictionhas five total Oscar nods, withSterling K. Brownrecognized for his supporting role and the film up for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score.

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source: people.com