Kieran Culkin has won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 97th Academy Awards for his role in A Real Pain. This news does not surprise many people because his performance received great praise from both audiences and critics.
He played a charismatic but troubled character who struggled to find his place. His performance showed both charm and vulnerability, proving his skill as an actor. His win also gave us some honest and heartfelt acceptance speeches from both him and his director, Jesse Eisenberg.
This category was very competitive, with strong performances from other nominees. Yura Borisov (Anora), Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), and Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) all delivered outstanding work.
However, Culkin’s win shows how much the Academy values performances that bring deep emotion and realism to supporting roles. His acting helped enhance the main character’s journey in the film, making his role even more impactful.
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A Look at Best Supporting Actor Winners Through History
The Best Supporting Actor award has honored some of the most unforgettable performances in film history. This category began at the 9th Academy Awards in 1937 and has celebrated actors who, while not in the lead role, still delivered powerful and memorable performances.
The first-ever winner of this award was Walter Brennan for Come and Get It in 1937. He won three times, setting a record that still stands today. Other legendary winners include George Sanders (All About Eve), Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), and Christoph Waltz, who won twice for Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained.
The category has also seen historic moments. Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar for Moonlight (2016) and later won again for Green Book (2018).
Some winners have made remarkable comebacks, like Robert Downey Jr., who won last year for Oppenheimer (2024). His victory was a major achievement after his career revival, which began 16 years earlier with his role in Iron Man.
In recent years, winners in this category have included both veteran actors and rising stars. Whether they play villains, friends, mentors, or comedic characters, Best Supporting Actor winners often deliver some of the most memorable moments in movies.
Stay tuned to Otakukart for more updates from the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California.
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