Cillian Murphy has been praised for Oscar’s acceptance speech after he became the first Irish-born star to scoop the coveted Best Actor gong.
The actor, 47, landed the accolade for his lead role in Oppenheimer at the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night with his win becoming Ireland’s first victory at the ceremony since Daniel Day Lewis and Brenda Fricker took prizes for My Left Foot back in 1990.
In his speech Cillian told the star-studded room that he was ‘a very proud Irishman standing here tonight’ before dedicating his win to ‘peacemakers everywhere’.
Fans watching hailed hailed him a ‘true gentleman’ for his ‘heartfelt’ words as he signed off with a nod to his Irish heritage.
‘Go raibh míle maith agaibh,’ he added, which translates to ‘a thousand thank yous’.
Sharing their thoughts on X, one person wrote: ‘Congrats to Cillian Murphy on his win. He has done Cork and Ireland proud. In a World full of hate, division, war and killing, he made the most important speech of the night.
‘He remembered the peacemakers. + the peacekeepers, where Ireland plays a key role.’
Another added: ‘We are all bursting with pride at Cillian Murphy’s Oscar win, his dedication to peacemakers, and his cúpla focail in the acceptance speech.
‘I am so thrilled for him and so proud. Cillian Murphy is just the most modest man. Such a great acceptance speech and always so inclusive of those he works with. The peacemakers finish was heartfelt. A true gentleman,’ a third person posted.
‘Cillian’s so well deserved win and what a lovely acceptance speech,’ someone else shared.
Speaking in the press room after picking up his statuette, Murphy told journalists: ‘I’m in a little bit of a daze, I’m very overwhelmed. I’m very humbled. I’m very grateful and you know, very proud to be Irish standing here today.
‘It’s really really meaningful to me. I don’t know if I said this in my speech, because I can’t remember what I said.’
‘I did want to say that I think in Ireland we are really great at supporting artists and I think we need to continue to support artists and the next generation of actors and directors. I think that’s vitally important. That’s all I have to say.’
When asked if he is ‘content’ about being remembered for his role as atomic bomb scientist J Robert Oppenheimer in the movie, the actor replied: ‘Very content. I mean, you got to move forward, but this has been a huge, huge moment for me.
‘The movie is so special to me, and myself and [director] Chris [Nolan] have such a special relationship.’
‘And I just feel very privileged to be able to continue to work with him and I’m very proud that this is a film that is provocative, and that asks questions, and is challenging, but yet so many people went to see it, so I’m really really proud of it.’
Cillian added of his relationship with director Christopher Nolan: ‘It’s very very special. We have been working together for 20 years. I think he’s the perfect director, he’s an extraordinary writer, he’s an extraordinary director of actors.
‘He presents this film like no one else does in the world, and I just can’t believe my luck. I did a screentest for him when I was a kid, and I thought that would be it and it would just be enough to be in a room with Chris for a couple of hours, and here we are. So, I’m just so humble and thankful.’
During his speech Cillian told the star-studded room that he was ‘a very proud Irishman standing here tonight’ before dedicating his win to ‘peacemakers everywhere’.
‘We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, for better or worse we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world so I’d like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere,’ he concluded to applause.
The actor was joined by his sons Malachy, 17, and Aran, 16, as turned his big night into a family affair.
After his lookalike sons made a rare red carpet appearance with their dad, Cillian took his seat next to his his wife Yvonne on the floor of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, while Malachy and Aran had seats in the upper circle.
Cillian paid a sweet tribute to his boys during his acceptance speech, looking up at them in their seats, as he told them he loved them.
‘Yvonne McGuiness, my partner in life and art,’ an emotional Cillain told his wife, before adding: ‘My two boys, Malachy and Aran who are sitting up there. I love you so much.’
Oppenheimer won a whopping seven Oscars at Sunday night’s Academy Awards – while rival Barbie only won one.
Meanwhile Emma Stone led Poor Things to an impressive four including her Best Actress win and UK film The Zone Of Interest won two at the gala event held at The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.
The historical epic directed by Christopher Nolan swept the major categories with wins for Best Actor Cillian , Best Supporting Actor Robert Downey Jr. and Nolan – with the film also winning Best Picture.
In contrast, Barbie, who memorably won against Oppenheimer in the ‘Barbenheimer’ box office showdown over the summer, walked away with just one award for Best Original Song for What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and Finneas McConnell.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
