Cillian Murphy strolls the Oscars red carpet with his teenage sons and dedicates heartfelt speech to them during emotional Best Actor win

Cillian Murphy was joined by his sons Malachy, 17, and Aran, 16, for his Oscar-winning night on Sunday.

The Irish star scooped the Best Actor Academy Award for his lead role in Oppenheimer and he turned his big night into a family affair, with his wife Yvonne McGuinness and two boys joining him on the red carpet. 

After his lookalike sons made a rare red carpet appearance with their dad, Cillian took his seat next to his his wife 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.’

Cillian Murphy was joined by his rarely-seen sons Malachy, 17, and Aran, 16, for his Oscar-winning night on Sunday, walking the red carpet with his wife Yvonne and the boys

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

Cillian said he was ‘overwhelmed’ to have won, adding: ‘I’m a very proud Irishman standing here tonight.’ He then lifted his Oscar to the air and was met with huge cheers from the crowd.

The actor also shared a tender kiss with his proud wife, who he first met in the 1990s and tied the knot with in 2004, before heading up to the stage to collect his first Oscar.

Despite his steady rise to global fame over the past few years, Cillian has managed to maintain a low-key family life – thanks in part to the unwavering support of his wife Yvonne.

Appearing on Desert Island Discs, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 last month, the actor said his wife has been ‘crucial’ in helping him adapt to Hollywood.

Speaking to host Lauren Laverne, Cillian explained how he found the ‘ancillary aspect’ of being an actor – such as walking red carpets – ‘quite challenging’.

Gushing about his wife, he continued: ‘To have a really secure, solid base is important.

‘You have to have that safe place. I certainly do. It’s just like an island of comfort and ease.’

He told Lauren Laverne: ‘It’s been crucial, honestly. 

The Irish star scooped the Best Actor Academy Award for his lead role in Oppenheimer and he turned his big night into a family affair

The actor also shared a tender kiss with his proud wife, who he first met in the 1990s and tied the knot with in 2004, before heading up to the stage 

Despite his steady rise to global fame over the past few years, Cillian has managed to maintain a low-key family life – thanks in part to the unwavering support of his wife Yvonne 

Cillian  became the first Irish-born winner of the Best Actor Oscar last night. He is pictured here in his role as J Robert Oppenheimer

‘I don’t think I could have done any of the things that we’ve talked about without having them.

‘It’s been the most important thing for me, having those kids and raising them.’ 

The couple – who have made efforts to shun the spotlight – have now been together for over 28 years. 

Cillian and Yvonne first met in the 1990s when he was starring in a play called Disco Pigs, which is about two Irish teenagers and was later adapted into a film. 

Following a successful run in Dublin, the play then transferred to Edinburgh, London, Australia and the US, which is how Irish musician Yvonne McGuinness got involved. 

Speaking to The Guardian in 2016, the actor – whose parents were teachers – said: 

‘That time, making Disco Pigs, was kind of the most important period of my life. 

‘The people I met there remain my closest friends.’ 

‘They shaped me in terms of my tastes, in terms of what I wanted to do with my life. And it was around the same time I met my wife. 

Cillian and Yvonne first met in the 1990s when he was starring in a play called Disco Pigs, which is about two Irish teenagers and was later adapted into a film 

Oscars 2024 winners: AT A GLANCE

Best Picture: Oppenheimer

Best Actress: Emma Stone – Poor Things

Best Director: Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer

Best Director: Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer

Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers

Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer

Original Song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell – What Was I Made For? from Barbie

Seen left to right: Actor In A Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer), Actress In A Supporting Role – Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers ), Actress In A Leading Role – Emma Stone (Poor Things), and Actor In A Leading Role – Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)

Original Score – Ludwig Göransson – Oppenheimer

Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema – Oppenheimer

Achievement in Film Editing: Jennifer Lame – Oppenheimer

Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihale – Poor Things

Make-up and Hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston – Poor Things

Achievement in Costume Design: Holly Waddington – Poor Things

Original Screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari – Anatomy Of A Fall

Adapted Screenplay: Cord Jefferson – American Fiction

International Feature Film – The Zone of Interest from United Kingdom

‘She came on tour with us. It was so exciting, 20 years ago or whatever it was – we were all just kids, trying to find our way – but such a special, special time.’

Yvonne grew up in Kilkenny, Ireland, and studied at Cork Institute of Technology. In 2001, the couple are said to have moved to London so Yvonne could study for her master’s at the Royal College of Art.

Yvonne’s uncle is the Irish politician Jim McGuinness and her grandfather Michael McGuinness also reportedly was Kilkenny’s longest-serving councillor from 1959-1999.

The couple married in 2004 and reportedly held the ceremony at Yvonne’s father’s vineyard in France. 

However, the couple have never publicly commented on this rumour or acknowledged where their wedding took place.

The following year, the couple welcomed their first son Malachy – with Aran following in 2007.

Although the family were living in London at the time, Cillian and Yvonne decided to return to Dublin to raise their young family.

He told The Guardian: ‘We wanted them to be Irish, I suppose. It’s amazing how quickly their accents have adapted.’ 

In 2005, Cillian also shut down any possibility of him moving to the US for work and praised Yvonne for her continuing support.

He told People magazine: ‘I don’t need to live in Los Angeles. I’d be tremendously far away from my family — I’d never see them.’

While Cillian’s career skyrocketed over the past two decades, Yvonne has also created short films and other experimental artwork. 

The mother-of-two’s bio on her website reads: ‘She has an interest in embodied experience of place and belonging by staging live, public, interventions and performances which create surreal and dynamic moments of interaction and connection to place, time and communities.’

Last summer, Cillian revealed it was Yvonne’s idea to adapt Claire Keegan’s novel Small Things Like These into a film. 

Cillian and Yvonne first met in the 1990s when he was starring in a play called Disco Pigs, which is about two Irish teenagers and was later adapted into a film

Speaking to The Guardian in a separate interview, Cillian remembered telling her: ‘No, there’s no way [the rights would be available]. That’s going to be gone already.’

Much to his delight, Cillian’s agent told him the book rights hadn’t been purchased – which prompted him to pitch the idea to Matt Damon, who has his own studio.

At Sunday’s Academy Awardsm Yvonne channelled dark glamour as she donned an inky black gown.

The Irish visual artist opted for a theatrical shoulderless gown, the neckline of which descended into puffy sleeves.

The cinched bodice also flowed out into a fitted skirt. Yvonne accessorised her monochrome look with a choker necklace. She accessorised with a clutch and simple jewellery, adding a pop of grunge with some black nail polish.

Yvonne matched her make-up to the gothic aesthetic with a red lipstick and smokey eyes. The mother-of-two tied her chestnut tresses back as she held her husband’s hand for the occasion.

Earlier this year, Yvonne also joined her husband as he won Best Actor for his role in Oppenheimer at the Golden Globes.

After his win was announced, Yvonne jumped out of her seat and gave her husband a quick kiss – prompting him to joke about the red lipstick on her mouth during his speech. 

During his acceptance speech, Cillian dubbed himself ‘the luckiest man’ as he spoke directly to his wife and children. 

‘To my family, I’m the luckiest man and I love you,’ he said. 

The week before, the actor paid tribute to Yvonne and their sons while honored with the Desert Palm Achievement Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards.

He said: ‘Two-thirds of them are sitting down there. We had to leave one of them at home doing exams.

Although the family were living in London at the time, Cillian (pictured with John Krasinski) and Yvonne decided to return to Dublin to raise their young family.

‘But just thanks for putting up with me — putting up with the half me and the shadow me and the absent me, the remains of me when I’m doing a film like this or work in general. You’re always there. I love it. So thanks, guys.’

During his appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Cillian admitted he has ‘struggled’ with walking red carpets in the past.

He added: ‘It is still not something I’m totally at ease with. You have to choose to enjoy it and I think you can do that in your brain. Just make that alteration and it’s easier then.’ 

However, he did go on to say that having Yvonne with him this year has made it easier.

He added: ‘I’ve had my wife and kids with me and that’s been lovely. You’d be an idiot not to enjoy it. Go with it, that’s my attitude.’ 

Elsewhere, Cillian paid loving tribute to his wife and their life together.

He told Lauren Laverne: ‘It’s been crucial, honestly. I don’t think I could have done any of the things that we’ve talked about without having them.

In 2005, Cillian also shut down any possibility of him moving to the US for work and praised Yvonne for her continuing support. Pictured next to his co-star Emily Blunt

‘I’ve been with my wife for 28 years now. It’s been the most important thing for me, having those kids and raising them.’ 

The A-List actor went on to say that having a ‘secure, solid base’ has been really important to him and functions as a ‘safe place’ amid the madness of fame. 

During the interview, Cillian also admitted he was ‘relieved’ the BBC drama had ended in 2002 but is now ‘totally’ on board with a movie adaptation.

Cillian also hinted that the programme’s writer, Steven Knight, had more stories to tell about the Birmingham-based Shelby clan and their criminal activities between the 1880s and 1910s.

He explained: ‘I have always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he is such a phenomenal writer, I’ll be there. If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, let’s do it.’ 

Oscar winners 2024 full list – see who received trophies for this year’s Academy Awards

 Best Picture

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer – WINNER

Past Lives

Poor Things 

The Zone of Interest

Oppenheimer was the biggest winner of the night with seven including top honor Best Picture; Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, and Charles Roven are seen 

 

Best Director 

Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall

Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon 

Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer – WINNER

Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things

Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest

 

Actress in a Leading Role

Annette Bening, Nyad

Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Huller, Anatomy of a Fall

Carey Mulligan, Maestro

Emma Stone, Poor Things – WINNER

Emma Stone earned a shock win in the Actress in a Leading Role category for Poor Things

 

Actor in a Leading Role

Bradley Cooper, Maestro

Colman Domingo, Rustin

Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer – WINNER

Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction

 

Actress in a Supporting Role

Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple

America Ferrera, Barbie

Jodie Foster, Nyad

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers – WINER 

Da’Vine Joy Randolph triumphed in the Actress in a Supporting Role category for The Holdovers 

 

Actor in a Supporting Role

Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction

Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon

Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer – WINNER

Ryan Gosling, Barbie

Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things 

 

Animated Feature Film

The Boy and the Heron – WINNER

Elemental

Nimona

Robot Dreams

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

 

Cinematography

El Conde

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro 

Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema – WINNER

Poor Things

 

Original Screenplay

Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari – WINNER 

The Holdovers, David Hemingson

Maestro, Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer

May December, Samy Burch (Story b Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik)

Past Lives, Celine Song

 

Adapted Screenplay

American Fiction, Cord Jefferson – WINNER

Barbie, Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach

Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan

Poor Things, Tony McNamara

The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer

Cord Jefferson won Adapted Screenplay for American Fiction

 

Achievement in Production Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things, Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek – WINNER

Achievement in Sound

The Creator

Maestro

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Oppenheimer

The Zone of Interest, Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn – WINNER

 

Original Song 

‘The Fire Inside’ from Flamin’ Hot

‘I’m Just Ken’ from Barbie

‘It Never Went Away’ from American Symphony

‘Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)’ from Killers of the Flower Moon

‘What Was I Made For?’ from Barbie, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell – WINNERS

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell earned Original Song for Barbie’s What Was I Made For?

 

Original Score  

American Fiction

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer, Ludwig Göransson – WINNER

Poor Things

 

Live Action Short Film

The After

Invincible

Knight of Fortune

Red, White and Blue

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Wes Anderson and Steven Rales – WINNER

 

Animated Short Film

Letter to a Pig

95 Senses

Our Uniform

Pachyderme

WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko – WINNER

WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko won Animated Short Film; Dave Mullins and Brad Booker pictured 

 

Documentary Feature Film

Bobi Wine: The People’s President

The Eternal Memory

Four Daughters

To Kill a Tiger

20 Days in Mariupol – WINNER

 

Documentary Short Film

The ABCs of Book Banning

The Barber of Little Rock

Island in Between

The Last Repair Shop – WINNER

Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó

 

International Feature Film

Io Capitano, Italy

Perfect Days, Japan

Society of the Snow, Spain

The Teachers’ Lounge, Germany

The Zone of Interest, United Kingdom – WINNER

The Zone Of Interest took home two Oscars including International Feature Film; Jonathan Glazer and James Wilson are pictured 

 

Makeup and Hairstyling

Golda

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Poor Things, Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston – WINNER

Society of the Snow 

 

Achievement in Costume Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things, Holly Waddington – WINNER

 

Achievement in Film Editing

Anatomy of a Fall

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame – WINNER

Poor Things 

 

Visual Effects

The Creator

Godzilla Minus One, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima  – WINNER

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Napoleon

Godzilla Minus One won the Visual Effects award as Masaki Takahashi, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya and Tatsuji Nojima are pictured