Eddie Redmayne called himself a 'lucky man' as he won the Best Actor Oscar last night.
Eddie Redmayne
Redmayne was the favourite to scoop the gong for his performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, and there was no big surprise as the winner was announced.
This was the first Oscar nomination of Redmayne's career, and he can now add the Academy Award to the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Bafta Award that he has won in recent weeks.
Speaking on stage as he received his award from Cate Blanchett, the actor said: "I don't think I"m capable of articulating quite how I feel right now, but please know this, I am fully aware that I am a lucky, lucky man."
"This Oscar belongs to all of those people around the world that are battling ALS. It belongs to one exceptional family Stephen, Jane, Jonathan, and the Hawking children.
"I will be its custodian and I promise you I will look after him, I will polish him, I will answer his beck and call and wait on him hand and foot "
"Finally, I just want to thank my family and my wife Hannah, I love you very much. We have a new fella coming to share our apartment."
Redmayne saw off the challenge from Michael Keaton (Birdman), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), and Bradley Cooper (American Sniper). However, it was felt that this was a two horse race between Redmayne and Keaton.
The Theory of Everything and Redmayne's performance has received rave reviews since it premiered on the festival circuit last year, and has sent the actor's star rocketing.
Despite being nominated in five categories - including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actress for Felicity Jones - Best Actor was the only award the movie scooped last night.