In a triumphant night at the 97th Academy Awards, Kieran Culkin claimed his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his compelling performance in "A Real Pain." The 42-year-old actor's win marks the pinnacle of an exceptional awards season that included Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild honors.
In "A Real Pain," directed by Jesse Eisenberg, Culkin portrays Benji, a charismatic but troubled character who embarks on a Holocaust heritage tour through Poland with his cousin, played by Eisenberg. The film, which premiered at Sundance 2024, garnered widespread acclaim for its delicate balance of humor and profound themes of Jewish identity and generational trauma.
During his characteristically candid acceptance speech, Culkin acknowledged his fellow nominee and former "Succession" co-star Jeremy Strong for his work in "The Apprentice." In a lighthearted moment, he reminded his wife Jazz of a previous agreement, saying, "She said, 'I will give you four [kids] when you win an Oscar.' You shook on it."
The actor nearly missed this career-defining role, attempting to withdraw from the project multiple times following his intensive work on "Succession." It was former girlfriend and producer Emma Stone who convinced him to stay, a decision that has now earned him Hollywood's highest honor.
Culkin's journey to Oscar glory began with his film debut at age 7 in "Home Alone," followed by notable performances in "Igby Goes Down" and his acclaimed role as Roman Roy in HBO's "Succession." His win in this category came against strong contenders including Guy Pearce ("The Brutalist"), Edward Norton ("A Complete Unknown"), Yura Borisov ("Anora"), and Jeremy Strong.
The actor's heartfelt acceptance speech included thanks to Eisenberg, whom he called "a genius," and touching acknowledgments to his mother and stepfather "for trying to raise me."