Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel's cringe joke over Cillian Murphy's name pronunciation

11 March 2024 , 00:54

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Jimmy Kimmel at the 96th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre (Image: Variety via Getty Images)

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel made a cringe joke about the pronunciation of Irish actor Cillian Murphy's name in his opening speech at the 96th Academy Awards.

The TV presenter is hosting the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. And during his speech, Kimmel poked fun at the pronunciation of Cillian's name. The actor is nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of J Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer. The Christopher Nolan blockbuster has been nominated for 13 awards.

The Oscars host said: "Christopher Nolan is joined by his longtime collaborator Cillian Murphy , who is great. Interesting fact about his name: when he does drama, it's pronounced Cillian. But when he does comedy, it's pronounced silly-an."

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Cillian Murphy is nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of J Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer (AFP via Getty Images)

The name Cillian is derived from the word for saint in the Irish language, explains the Irish Star. It refers to holiness as "cill" is the Irish word for church or churchyard. "Ian" is thought to derive from the pet suffix 'ín' to denote youth or littleness.

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The TV host was also criticised for mocking Robert De Niro due to the large age gap with his girlfriend. Kimmel joked that the first time De Niro played in a role alongside Jodie Foster in 1976's film, Taxi Driver he was old enough to be her dad. Now, Kimmel jibed, she is now 20 years too old to be his girlfriend, taking aim at the 35-year difference between De Niro and Chen.

However, Jimmy's efforts weren't well received by many of the viewers at home. One user on X, formerly called Twitter, fumed: "Society has moved past for the need for jimmy kimmel hosting award shows #Oscars."

The host made a cringe joke about the pronunciation of the actor's name (AFP via Getty Images)

Irish actor Cillian Murphy on the red carpet (AFP via Getty Images)

Another agreed, adding: "Terrible jokes about Christopher Nolan & Robert Downey Jr by Jimmy Kimmel. Yikes #Oscars." And a third said: "@jimmykimmel started with a terrible opening. It's going to be a long night! #Oscars."

The start of the Oscars was delayed by five minutes on Sunday as pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the award ceremony in Los Angeles. Jonathan Ross informed viewers watching on ITV of the delay.

In video clips circulating on X, formerly Twitter, crowds of protesters could be seen carrying Palestinian flags and chanting "ceasefire now" near the Dolby Theatre. The protest stopped traffic heading towards the 96th Academy Awards for around 20 minutes and blocked guests in their cars.

Several stars had not arrived at the venue 10 minutes before the start time, with Barbie star Margot Robbie thought to be one celebrity caught in the delay. According to The Hollywood Reporter, some stars began to leave their vehicles and walk to the venue instead as police arrived to disperse the crowd.

Laura Colgan