Cillian Murphy has won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's biographical thriller 'Oppenheimer'. The Irish actor, 47, claimed his first Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards, having been a first-time nominee.
Murphy's performance as the father of the atomic bomb was widely acclaimed, with the film charting the creation of the weapon and its devastating aftermath. He beat fellow nominees Colman Domingo, Bradley Cooper, Paul Giamatti and Jeffrey Wright to take the prize.
Speaking to the Associated Press last year, Murphy recalled how Nolan offered him the lead role. '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 said. 'It was a great day.'
Despite being a regular in Nolan's films for nearly two decades, Murphy had previously only played supporting roles. He admitted he had long harboured a desire to lead one of the director's projects. 'Deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play a lead for him,' he said.
Murphy entered the Oscars as a strong favourite, having already won Best Actor at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and BAFTA Film Awards for the role.
