John C. Reilly to be honored with an Oscar Wilde Award
· IrishCentralFor more than three decades, John C. Reilly has remained one of the most beloved and versatile actors of his generation, effortlessly navigating the worlds of comedy, drama, and musical theater with a rare blend of skill and charm.
The Chicago-born, Irish American has often spoken of his family’s strong ties to Ireland. He has visited frequently, and in March 2022 was the International Guest of Honor at Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.
US-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo said, “When President Kennedy arrived in Ireland in June 1963, he noted ‘that Ireland’s sons and daughters are scattered throughout the world’ and that they have ‘kept a special place in their ancestral memories, of this green and misty island, so in a sense, all of them who visit Ireland come home.’
"That deep connection with Ireland so clearly applies to John C. Reilly, and we look forward to celebrating his impressive career.”
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The Oscar Wilde Awards, a popular, casual event held on the Thursday before the Academy Awards, brings together people in film, television, and music. The event has long played a role in bringing about artistic collaborations, from giving young actors and singers a profile in the US to encouraging the shooting of films, like "Star Wars", in Ireland.
Richie Baneham, Molly Shannon, and Pierce Brosnan were honored at the 2024 Oscar Wilde Awards. More honorees for 2025 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Reilly collaborated with Paul Thomas Anderson on "Hard Eight", "Boogie Nights", and "Magnolia", worked with Martin Scorsese on "Gangs of New York" and "The Aviator", and joined Robert Altman for "A Prarie Home Companion".
He showcased his comedic mastery with two blockbuster films with Adam McKay, "Step Brothers" and "Talladega Nights", while also blending his musical and comedic talents in "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story".
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Other roles that led to international recognition include "We Need To Talk About Kevin" (Lynne Ramsay), "Carnage" (Roman Polanski), "The Lobster" (Yórgos Lánthimos), and "The Sisters Brothers" (Jacques Audiard).
He recently reunited with Adam McKay starring in HBO Max's "Winning Time", the limited series about the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2025, Reilly will take on the role of a town doctor in "A Prayer For The Dying", Dara Van Dusen’s adaptation of Stewart O’Nan’s novel set in the 1870s, which follows a community ravaged by a deadly plague.
He will also portray the legendary Buffalo Bill in "Testa O Croce", directed by Italian filmmakers Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis. Additionally, Reilly stars alongside Elizabeth Banks in "DreamQuil", a cautionary tale about the consequences of artificial intelligence and automation infiltrating daily life.
But perhaps the most personal project for Reilly is his one-man vaudeville show, "Mister Romantic". Already receiving critical acclaim following a one-night show in New York City and two years of sold-out performances in Los Angeles, Reilly will take the show on the road, with additional dates to be announced soon.
The Oscar Wilde Awards will be held on Feb 27, 2025, at the Ebell of Los Angeles.
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