evidence: "Oppenheimer" star Cillian Murphy on the preparation, hard work and instinct behind his acting 2023 was the year the world learned to pronounce Cillian. The ancient Irish name seemed to be on everyone's lips as the film "Oppenheimer" became a blockbuster with 13 Oscar nominations — including best actor for Cillian Murphy. Murphy has worked nonstop for nearly 30 years, but it was the epic drama of the atomic bomb that ignited a star. In this moment, with a Golden Globe under his porkpie hat and the Oscars three weeks away, Murphy is more famous than well-known. So, we set out to learn more. We were warned the 47-year-old Irishman is reserved and wouldn't talk about himself. But we discovered finding Cillian Murphy depends on where you look. [...] Cillian Murphy: It is. And then if it's any way good, that's a miracle. And then if it connects with audiences, that's a miracle. So, it's a miracle, upon miracle, upon miracle to have a film like "Oppenheimer." It really is. His Oppenheimer was not so much a miracle as hard work. He lost 28 pounds to get the silhouette. Then, he rose to the character step-by-step over six months--reading, listening to Oppenheimer's lectures and covering miles on the beach performing for Scout.