Cillian Murphy won his inaugural Oscar for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, renowned as the “father of the atomic bomb”.
Cillian Murphy came away with his first Oscar for portraying the man who created the atomic bomb in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic Oppenheimer.
Cillian wins his first Oscar
In his debut nomination, Murphy clinched the Best Actor award for his outstanding portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer. The film delves into the narrative of Oppenheimer and his colleagues at Los Alamos, embarking on the fateful bomb test on July 16, 1945, with uncertainty shrouding the outcome and the aftermath that followed.
Murphy outshined Colman Domingo, Bradley Cooper, Paul Giamatti, and Jeffrey Wright for roles in different films. Despite being a consistent figure in Nolan’s movies for nearly twenty years, he typically played supporting roles. However, Nolan now sought him to take on a leading role.
About his work
“He’s so understated and self-deprecating and, in his very English manner, just said, ‘Listen, I’ve written this script, it’s about Oppenheimer. I’d like you to be my Oppenheimer,’” Murphy, 47, told The Associated Press last year. “It was a great day.”
Murphy understands the roles that suit him best in movies. He openly expressed to Chris that he is willing to be part of any film if available, regardless of the role’s size. Despite this, he admitted last year that he harbored a secret desire to play a leading role for Chris.
Murphy entered the Academy Awards as a top contender, having secured multiple Best Actor wins at prestigious events like the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and BAFTA Film Awards. However, as the evening wore on, it became clear that this would not be his year.
Despite being nominated for his critically acclaimed performance in “Dolemite is My Name,” Murphy lost out to Joaquin Phoenix for his transformative role in “Joker.” This marked Murphy’s fourth Academy Award nomination and fourth loss, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s biggest snubs.
But while many may see this as a disappointment, Murphy has taken it all in stride. In an interview with Variety, he expressed gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the impressive talent of his fellow nominees. He also joked about his string of losses, stating “I’m gonna keep coming up here until they give me one.”
Murphy’s career has spanned over four decades, with iconic roles in films such as “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Coming to America,” and “The Nutty Professor.” Despite his early successes, he has faced criticism for his later film choices and lack of award recognition. However, Murphy’s recent comeback with Netflix’s “Dolemite is My Name” has proven that he still has the comedic chops and acting range that made him a household name.
In addition to his return to the big screen, Murphy also made headlines last year when he hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time in 35 years. His appearance was met with widespread praise, further solidifying his place as a comedy legend.
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