Kieran Culkin has picked up another prestigious award on his way to the Oscars. Winning this year’s Supporting Actor British Academy Film Award for his remarkable performance in A Real Pain, the 42-year-old actor was absent from the 78th annual BAFTAs ceremony held on February 16 at London’s Royal Festival Hall due to a family illness. Jesse Eisenberg, who directed, wrote, and co-starred in the movie, accepted the award on Culkin’s behalf at the David Tennant-hosted ceremony.
Eisenberg, who had previously won an award for Best Screenplay at the event, expressed his admiration for Culkin’s dedication, stating, “I know I just won an award, but this is also like the fifth award I’ve accepted on Kieran’s behalf… We have a similar life, but his is about 27% better than mine.” He further elaborated on Culkin’s situation, saying, “Kieran would love to be here. We spoke this morning. He’s in New York with a family member who’s quite sick, and he is so devoted as a family dad that he tried to drop out of my movie two weeks before we started shooting because he didn’t want to leave his kids.” Eisenberg praised Culkin, saying, “He’s real, it’s beautiful and it’s admirable – his devotion to his family.” He added, “He’s one of these lucky people who’s brilliantly talented, but who, for some random luck of the cosmos, has his priorities in order. So I’m so honored to accept this for him.”
This year, the nominees for BAFTA’s Supporting Film Actor prize included Yura Borisov for Anora, Clarence Maclin for Sing Sing, Edward Norton for A Complete Unknown, Guy Pearce for The Brutalist, and Jeremy Strong for The Apprentice. All except Maclin are also nominated in the Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards, set to take place on March 2. Kieran Culkin’s win follows an impressive streak that began with a victory at this year’s Golden Globes and extended to the February 7 Critics Choice Awards. He missed the latter event due to rehearsals for the revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross, where he will star alongside Bob Odenkirk, Michael McKean, and Bill Burr, with the production opening on March 31 at NYC’s Palace Theatre.
In A Real Pain, Kieran Culkin and Eisenberg portray cousins reconnecting on a journey through Poland, honoring their family’s roots after the death of their grandmother. The film has drawn attention not only for its storyline but also for the performances of its cast, with Eisenberg himself receiving a BAFTA nomination for original screenplay.
First-time BAFTA nominee Borisov, 32, a classically trained actor from Moscow, plays the role of henchman Igor in Anora. The indie film, directed by Sean Baker, has been highlighted for its compelling narrative, which revolves around Borisov, who was discovered after appearing in the award-winning 2021 Cannes Film Festival entry Compartment No. 6.
Clarence Maclin, 58, has garnered critical acclaim for his supporting performance as a version of himself in Sing Sing. The A24 drama, featuring Colman Domingo, dramatizes a real-life theater production called Rehabilitation Through the Arts, which took place at New York state’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility. This marks Maclin’s first BAFTA and Oscar nod as one of the film’s adapted screenplay writers.
Edward Norton, nominated for the third time by BAFTA, plays late singer-songwriter Pete Seeger in A Complete Unknown. The biopic, directed by James Mangold, stars fellow BAFTA and Oscar honorees Timothée Chalamet and Monica Barbaro, portraying Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, respectively.
Guy Pearce, nominated for his role as wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren in The Brutalist, is receiving his first BAFTA recognition for a film that showcases Adrien Brody as a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who emigrates to the U.S.
Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin’s co-star in Succession, also made the BAFTAs’ nominations list for the first time for his supporting role in director Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice. Strong earned praise for his portrayal of notorious attorney Roy Cohn, who mentored a young Donald Trump.
The BAFTA awards highlighted the outstanding talent in the industry, with Kieran Culkin’s achievement standing out amid family challenges, showcasing his dedication not only to his craft but also to his loved ones. The win represents both a professional milestone and a testament to his character during these testing times.
As the awards season unfolds, Culkin’s journey can inspire many, reminding us that success does not solely define one’s priorities; compassion and family devotion can equally shine brightly in the tapestry of achievements.
