The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are a set of annual awards honoring outstanding achievements in filmmaking. The Best Actor category is one of the most prestigious awards, recognizing actors for their exceptional performances in leading roles. The nominees for the Best Actor award are typically announced in early February, with the winners being revealed at the ceremony held later in the year. The award has been presented since the 1st Academy Awards in 1929, with notable winners including Anthony Hopkins for "The Father" in 2020 and Cillian Murphy for "Oppenheimer" in 2024.