The Definitive List: Who Won The Academy Award For Best Actor And The 5 Biggest Snubs In Recent Years

The Academy Award for Best Actor is arguably the most prestigious prize in cinema, a gold-plated statuette that immortalizes a performer's work in film history. As of today, December 18, 2025, the most recent winner of this coveted Oscar is the Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who took home the award for his transformative performance in Christopher Nolan’s epic biographical thriller, Oppenheimer. The win came at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, held in March 2024, marking a monumental career milestone for the veteran performer.

The ceremony was a massive night for Oppenheimer, which dominated the major categories, but the Best Actor trophy represented a long-overdue recognition for Murphy’s decades of compelling, intense, and often understated work. His portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic bomb," captured the complex moral and intellectual weight of a man whose creation fundamentally changed the world. This article dives deep into Murphy's career, his winning role, and a complete list of the most recent actors to achieve this legendary status.

Cillian Murphy: Biography, Career Highlights, and Filmography

Cillian Murphy's victory at the 96th Academy Awards was the culmination of a distinguished career that saw him transition from stage work to becoming one of Hollywood's most respected character actors. His win for Oppenheimer was his first-ever Academy Award nomination, a rare feat for a winner in this category.

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• Full Name: Cillian Murphy
• Date of Birth: May 25, 1976
• Place of Birth: Douglas, County Cork, Ireland
• Nationality: Irish
• Spouse: Yvonne McGuinness (m. 2004)
• Children: Two sons, Malachy and Aran
• Major Career Breakthrough: His role as Jim in the 2002 post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later, directed by Danny Boyle.
• Signature Roles: Thomas Shelby in the BBC series Peaky Blinders (2013–2022); Dr. Jonathan Crane / The Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012); Robert Michael Fischer in Inception (2010); and J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer (2023).
• Key Awards: Academy Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (all for Oppenheimer).
• Upcoming Projects: He is set to star in the film Steve (2025) and is in talks to return for the third installment of the zombie franchise, 28 Years Later III.

The Performance That Won: Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer

Murphy's portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer was lauded by critics and audiences as a masterclass in subtlety and intensity. The film, a three-hour epic, required him to carry the emotional and intellectual burden of the story, often through intense close-ups and internal conflict.

Director Christopher Nolan, a frequent collaborator of Murphy’s, finally cast him as the lead after years of supporting roles in films like Batman Begins and Dunkirk. The role demanded a dramatic physical transformation, with Murphy losing a significant amount of weight to reflect Oppenheimer's intense focus and often frail demeanor.

His acceptance speech at the Dolby Theatre, in which he dedicated the award to "peacemakers everywhere," was one of the most memorable moments of the 96th Oscars. The win was a major victory for the entire Oppenheimer team, which also saw Nolan win Best Director and Robert Downey Jr. win Best Supporting Actor.

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The Best Actor category for the 96th Academy Awards was fiercely competitive, featuring a lineup of powerhouse performances that generated significant Oscar buzz throughout the season. The nominees Cillian Murphy had to overcome included:

• Bradley Cooper for Maestro (as Leonard Bernstein)
• Colman Domingo for Rustin (as Bayard Rustin)
• Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers (as Paul Hunham)
• Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction (as Thelonious "Monk" Ellison)

While Paul Giamatti's performance in The Holdovers was a critical darling and a favorite among many critics groups, Murphy's turn as Oppenheimer ultimately captured the Academy's attention for its scope and historical gravitas. The intense focus on the moral complexity of the scientist's life resonated deeply with voters.

A Look Back: The Last Five Academy Award for Best Actor Winners

To provide full topical authority and context, here is a list of the most recent actors who have claimed the Best Actor Oscar, cementing their place in film history. This list highlights the diversity of roles and the enduring power of dramatic performance in cinema.

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The Academy Award for Best Actor winners from the last five ceremonies showcase a compelling mix of career-defining performances, from biographical dramas to deeply personal stories of struggle and redemption. Each winner delivered a performance that dominated the awards season and left a lasting impression on the cinematic landscape.

1. Cillian Murphy (96th Academy Awards, 2024)

Film: Oppenheimer
Role: J. Robert Oppenheimer
Significance: Murphy’s first-ever Oscar win, recognizing his intense and nuanced portrayal of the theoretical physicist who led the Manhattan Project. The film itself was a sweeping success, winning a total of seven Oscars.

2. Brendan Fraser (95th Academy Awards, 2023)

Film: The Whale
Role: Charlie
Significance: This win was widely celebrated as a "Brenaissance," marking a major career comeback for Fraser. His heartbreaking performance as a reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter was hailed as one of the most emotional performances of the year.

3. Will Smith (94th Academy Awards, 2022)

Film: King Richard
Role: Richard Williams
Significance: Smith won for his robust portrayal of Richard Williams, the determined father and coach of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. The victory was unfortunately overshadowed by a controversial incident that occurred earlier in the evening.

4. Anthony Hopkins (93rd Academy Awards, 2021)

Film: The Father
Role: Anthony
Significance: Sir Anthony Hopkins became the oldest-ever winner of the Best Actor Oscar at age 83. His devastatingly realistic performance as a man battling dementia was a masterclass in acting, securing his second career Oscar win.

5. Joaquin Phoenix (92nd Academy Awards, 2020)

Film: Joker
Role: Arthur Fleck / Joker
Significance: Phoenix delivered a chilling and physically demanding performance as the mentally troubled stand-up comedian who descends into madness to become the iconic Batman villain. His win followed a long history of acclaimed roles and multiple previous nominations.

The Enduring Legacy of the Best Actor Oscar

The Academy Award for Best Actor is more than just a trophy; it is a cultural touchstone that defines cinematic excellence for a generation. The list of winners is a who's who of acting legends, from Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro to Daniel Day-Lewis, who holds the record for the most Best Actor wins with three.

Cillian Murphy's addition to this exclusive list not only validates his incredible talent but also highlights the Academy's appreciation for performances that delve into complex moral and scientific narratives. His win for Oppenheimer secured the film's place as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed biographical pictures of all time.

As the film industry looks ahead to the next awards season, the speculation is already beginning. Who will deliver the next career-defining performance? Which actor will join the ranks of Murphy, Fraser, Smith, and the other legends? The anticipation for the 97th Academy Awards (honoring films of 2024) is already building, but for now, the spotlight remains firmly on the man who brought the atomic bomb's creator to life.