Succession Star’s Best Supporting Actor Win for A Real Pain Caps an Awards Season Sweep, as He Playfully Reminds Wife Jazz Charton of a Promise for More Kids During an Emotional Night at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025.
Los Angeles, USA – March 3, 2025 – Kieran Culkin, the sharp-witted star known for his role as Roman Roy in HBO’s Succession, etched his name into Hollywood history last night, winning his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 97th Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre. The 42-year-old actor took home the gold for his poignant performance in Jesse Eisenberg’s indie dramedy A Real Pain, completing a clean sweep of the awards season that included victories at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, and Spirit Awards. In a night full of surprises, Culkin’s victory stood out—not just for his triumph over formidable nominees, but for the quirky, heartfelt acceptance speech that had the audience laughing and cheering.
Culkin’s win came early in the evening, kicking off the ceremony hosted by Conan O’Brien with a burst of energy. Beating out heavyweights like Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), Yura Borisov (Anora), and his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice), Culkin’s performance as a grieving, sardonic cousin in A Real Pain resonated deeply with voters. The film, a road-trip tale of two cousins grappling with family history in Poland, showcased Culkin’s ability to blend humor with raw emotion—a skill honed over years in projects like Igby Goes Down and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Taking the stage after a glowing introduction from last year’s winner Robert Downey Jr., Culkin delivered a speech that was pure Kieran: irreverent, charming, and unexpectedly tender. He began by shouting out Strong, his on-screen brother turned real-life rival, with a bleeped expletive praising his work in The Apprentice—a moment that drew gasps and giggles from the crowd. “I’m not supposed to single anyone out, but Jeremy, you were great,” he quipped, covering his mouth as if to censor himself. From there, he thanked Eisenberg, his director and co-star, calling him “the kindest genius I’ve ever met,” before turning to his wife, Jazz Charton, seated in the audience.
It was here that Culkin stole the show. Recounting a late-night chat after his 2024 Emmy win for Succession, he revealed a playful pact: “I said, ‘Really, I want four [kids],’ and she goes, ‘I’ll give you four when you win an Oscar.’ So, Jazz, let’s get crackin’ on those kids!” The line, delivered with a mischievous grin, sent the Dolby into uproarious laughter, with Charton—his partner since 2013 and mother to their two children—blushing and blowing him a kiss. Backstage, Culkin admitted he was still processing the win: “I’m not fully inside my body right now, but I’m trying to be present.”
The victory caps a remarkable run for Culkin, whose awards haul this season mirrors the dominance of Anora, the night’s Best Picture winner. For an actor once overshadowed by his brother Macaulay Culkin’s Home Alone fame, the Oscar marks a definitive arrival. “He’s not just a Culkin anymore—he’s the Culkin,” said film critic Alicia Malone, noting his knack for stealing scenes and hearts alike. Posts on X mirrored the sentiment, with fans praising his authenticity and predicting a futureEGOT bid.
As the Governors Ball buzzed post-ceremony, Culkin and Charton shared a passionate kiss, his Oscar gleaming in hand. For Hollywood, it was a night of indie triumphs and big dreams—but for Kieran Culkin, it was a personal milestone, sealed with a promise and a golden statuette. Whether that fourth child arrives remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: his star has never shone brighter.
