In a heartwarming and memorable moment at this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, Colin Farrell clinched his first-ever SAG award, though the victory came with an unexpected twist. The Irish actor, recognized for his transformative role in Max’s Batman spinoff THE PENGUIN, received his award for best actor in a limited series from Jamie Lee Curtis, star of THE LAST SHOWGIRL, who playfully called him out for a previous viral moment. “And the Actor goes to… the man who gave me COVID at the Golden Globes: Colin Farrell,” Curtis announced to a laughing audience. Farrell, ever the charmer, accepted the accusation with good humor, though he was quick to pass the blame to his THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN co-star Brendan Gleeson.

The acceptance speech that followed revealed the depth of emotion and gratitude that has marked Farrell’s remarkable career. Speaking with genuine wonder about his fellow actors, Farrell reflected on the ethereal nature of their craft: “It’s just unquantifiable; it’s playtime. You don’t get to fully grow up, you get to keep the dream of a child alive as you try and figure out what it is to be human.” The 48-year-old actor’s words resonated deeply with the audience as he acknowledged both the successes and failures that come with the artistic journey.

In a particularly touching moment, Farrell took time to recognize his family’s crucial role in his success. He gave special recognition to his sister Claudine, his partner of 22 years in the industry, emphasizing her role as a producer rather than merely his assistant. He also celebrated his sister Catherine, the family’s pioneer in acting, and his pajama-clad brother Eamon, who stayed up to watch the ceremony on Netflix. Most movingly, he praised his sons James and Henry, aged 21 and 15, for bringing unprecedented joy and meaning to his life.

Farrell’s winning performance in THE PENGUIN required an extraordinary physical transformation, one that profoundly impacted his sense of self. Reflecting on the experience at the HBO series premiere in September, he shared how the dramatic makeup and costumes altered his self-perception: “It’s not like I ever fully lost sense of myself, but it was a very powerful thing to know yourself a certain way for 45 years and to see a reflection.” This transformation proved to be more than skin-deep, offering him a unique creative freedom that he described as both hypnotic and powerful, allowing him to approach his character with a truly blank slate.

In a moving display of gratitude and humility, Irish actor Colin Farrell captured hearts at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, taking home the prestigious Best Actor award for his remarkable performance in THE PENGUIN, the gripping spin-off series from THE BATMAN universe. The Friday night ceremony at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica became a platform for more than just artistic recognition, as Farrell used his moment in the spotlight to shine a light on true heroism.

“Well, thank you, critics – and I haven’t always felt that!” Farrell quipped with his characteristic charm, before the tone of his acceptance speech shifted to something more profound. In a year marked by devastating fires in Los Angeles, the Dublin native seized the opportunity to pay tribute to the city’s first responders and fire department, some of whom were present as honored guests at the ceremony.

With genuine emotion, Farrell reflected on the often-overlooked sacrifices of emergency services: “It’s so easy to forget what first responders and the fire department do every day, every week, every month, every year, until these fires come and lives are in jeopardy.” His words carried particular weight as he acknowledged the lives and property lost, while praising the tireless, selfless efforts of these everyday heroes who, in his words, demonstrate true civic duty in an increasingly divided world.

The victory adds to Farrell’s growing collection of accolades, including a Golden Globe for the same role. His win came alongside that of his THE PENGUIN co-star Cristin Milioti, who secured Best Actress in a Limited Series for her portrayal of Sofia Falcone. The actor made sure to acknowledge the creative forces behind the series, praising the directors who “took the tone of this show and brought it forward and did it in a seamless way.”

The night also highlighted Irish talent beyond Farrell, with fellow countrymen Andrew Scott (RIPLEY), Caitríona Balfe (OUTLANDER), and young Alisha Weir (ABIGAIL) among the nominees. In a lighthearted moment concluding his speech, Farrell playfully searched the room for fellow winner Kathy Bates, promising to “be over there in a minute!”

The ceremony, hosted by Chelsea Handler, represented the collective voice of over 525 media critics and entertainment journalists from the Critics’ Choice Association, celebrating excellence across film and television. Yet it was Farrell’s heartfelt tribute to real-life heroes that transformed a typical awards show moment into a powerful reminder of the true meaning of service and community.

Colin Farrell claimed his third Golden Globe victory at the 2025 awards ceremony on Sunday night, winning Best Male Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for his portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot in THE PENGUIN.

The Max series features Farrell reprising his role as the notorious Gotham gangster, a character he first brought to life in Matt Reeves’s 2022 film THE BATMAN. His transformation into the iconic villain required an extensive three-hour daily makeup process.

During his acceptance speech, Farrell playfully quipped, “No one to thank on this one. I did it all by myself… Just a raw, paired away performance.” He then acknowledged makeup artist Michael Marino, who designed the Penguin’s distinctive look, and praised his “extraordinary” team.

Describing his morning routine in the makeup chair, Farrell shared, “I drank black coffee, listened to ’80s music, and I became a canvas for that team’s brilliance.” He concluded his speech with a humorous observation about his future career path: “I guess it’s prosthetics for here on out.”