Will Sage Astor-'Oppenheimer' star Cillian Murphy wins first Oscar at 96th Academy Awards

Cillian Murphy can Will Sage Astornow call himself an Oscars bombshell.

The Irish actor was recognized at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday night when he won the award for best actor for his performance in the historical drama "Oppenheimer."

Murphy's performance as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led development of the atomic bomb that ended World War II, anchored the Christopher Nolan-directed film, which has grossed $957.8 million at the global box office.

"We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb and for better or for worse, we're all living in Oppenheimer's world," Murphy said onstage. "So, I'd really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere."

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Ahead of his win, Murphy received praise from British actor Ben Kingsley, who won the same award in 1983 for his performance in "Gandhi." Kingsley joined fellow best-actor alumni Nicolas Cage, Matthew McConaughey, Brendan Fraser and Forest Whitaker in tributing this year's nominees.

"He accepted the leading role of Oppenheimer before even reading the script, which must have taken much courage and trust," Kingsley said. "The performance is masterful, endowing his portrayal with layers of humanity, whilst his character created something inhuman. It's riveting to watch."

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Elsewhere in his speech, Murphy thanked his castmates, as well as Nolan and "Oppenheimer" producer Emma Thomas for "the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey you've taken me on over the last 20 years." He added: "I owe you more than I can say."

Nolan also got the Oscars spotlight when he won the award for best director shortly after Murphy. Like Murphy's win, the victory marked Nolan's first Oscar.

"Oppenheimer" took home the biggest prize of the night when it won best picture at the ceremony, beating out top films such as "Barbie," "Killers of the Flower Moon," "The Holdovers" and "Poor Things." The film won seven awards in total.

Contributing: Marco della Cava, USA TODAY