Colin Farrell’s win at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards marked a historic moment, as he became the third actor to receive a Golden Globe for playing a Batman villain. The 48-year-old now stands alongside Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix, both of whom won for their iconic portrayals of the Joker.
Ledger posthumously won Best Supporting Actor for The Dark Knight in 2009, while Phoenix took home Best Actor in a Drama for Joker in 2020. Farrell, who won Best Actor in a Limited Series for his role as Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot in The Penguin, expressed deep admiration for both actors.
“Dark Knight was extraordinary and will live on for future generations. And what Joaquin did in Joker was exemplified by all the awards that [he] won,” Farrell said, as reported by People. Despite joining this elite group, Farrell humbly stated that he still sees himself more as a fan rather than part of the pantheon of legendary Batman villains.
During his acceptance speech, Farrell credited his transformation to the incredible work of the prosthetics and makeup team. He specifically praised costume designer Michael Marino, whose artistry helped bring his version of the Penguin to life.
With The Penguin set to debut on HBO later this year, Farrell’s award win has only heightened anticipation for his gritty portrayal of Gotham’s infamous crime boss.