Thrillian Murphy
Awards glory for ‘proud Irishman’
CILLIAN Murphy declared himself a “proud Irishman” and thanked judges as Gaeilge as he won Best Actor at the 2024 Oscars.
The 47-year-old bagged the accolade for his highly-praised lead performance in Oppenheimer and is the first Irishborn actor to win the award.
Despite being the raging hot favourite for the statuette, the Corkman declared himself “a little overwhelmed” in his acceptance speech.
He said: “Thank you to the Academy. Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, 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.
“Every single crew member, cast member, you guys carried me through... all my fellow nominees, I remain in awe of you guys.
“I want to thank my incredible team ....
Yvonne Mcguinness, my partner in life and art, my two boys, Malachy and Aran who are sitting up there. I love you so much. I’m a very proud Irishman standing here tonight.
“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’d really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere. Go raibh mile maith agaibh.”
Meanwhile, the Irish producer of Poor Things which won four Oscars has said he is “absolutely thrilled”.
Ed Guiney is the director of Dublinbased Element Pictures which produced the hit film.
Mr Guiney told RTE yesterday: “We are absolutely thrilled... production design, costume design, makeup and hair and then, of course, Emma Stone winning the big prize, which we are thrilled by.”
Guiney said he had been talking to Cillian before his win and the actor had described the frenzy as “a bit like Italia 90”.
He added: “We’ve worked with him a lot and just love him to bits. We were very hopeful that he would win.
“He said to me: ‘It’s a bit like Italia 90, isn’t it?’ And I said, ‘Yes it is.’ He was just saying it was so nice, the vibes from Ireland and we can all really feel them here.
“People are so wholehearted and so supportive and positive about what’s going on here. So we’re all incredibly proud, so proud of him. He’s incredible.
“It’s lovely to be here with him and to be part of the whole thing. We’re very grateful and very proud.” Back home, congratulations flowed thick and fast.
A post from the President of Ireland’s account on X, formerly Twitter, said: “Congratulations to Cillian Murphy on his wonderful achievement in winning the Best Actor Oscar, which he so appropriately dedicated to the peacemakers everywhere.”
Culture Minister Catherine Martin, who also congratulated the cast of Poor Things, said Murphy’s Oscar “is the pinnacle of any actor’s career and a fitting recognition of the immense talent”.
Desiree Finnegan, chief executive of Screen Ireland, said she passed on her “sincere congratulations”.
Ireland’s ambassador to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason, said it was a “great night for the Irish”.
RYAN Gosling may be just Ken but he stole the show at the Oscars, then partner Eva Mendes ordered him home to put their girls to bed.
Barbie co-star Margot Robbie cracked up as Ryan, 43, dressed in a pink tux, began singing the film’s Oscar-nominated song I’m Just Ken.
On stage he danced a routine with a dozen other cowboy-hat-wearing Kens, accompanied by Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. At one point, Barbie director Greta Gerwig and stars
America Ferrera and Margot sang a few lines from the front row.
Afterwards Eva, 50, said: “You took Ken all the way to the Oscars, RG. Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed.” Their girls are aged nine and seven. Ryan took his mum and sister to the ceremony. Eva posted a video of her at his dressing room and captioned it: “Always by my man.” she captioned the clip.