Robert Downey Jr. at the Critics Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California, on Jan. 14, 2024.Photo:Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty
Robert Downey Jr. is having fun with critics as they name him this year’s best supporting actor in a movie at the 2024Critics Choice Awards.
The star, 58, won forOppenheimer, up againstSterling K. BrownforAmerican Fiction,Robert De NiroforKillers of the Flower Moon,Ryan GoslingforBarbie,Charles MeltonforMay DecemberandMark RuffaloforPoor Things.
“The first one’s kinda like haiku: ‘sloppy, messy and lazy.’ The second one’s more metaphoric: ‘Like Pee-wee Herman emerging from a coma,’ " the actor said.
“This was from a Brit: ‘A puzzling waste of talent,’ " he continued, putting on a British accent, ending with, “And lastly — and this one lingered — ‘amusing as a bed-locked fart.’ "
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Robert Downey Jr. inOppenheimer(2023).Melinda Sue Gordon

Melinda Sue Gordon
For his performance in the all-timehighest-grossing biopicOppenheimer, Downey Jr. raises his Critics Choice nod tally up to four.
OppositeCillian Murphy’s titular protagonist, Downey Jr.’s Admiral Lewis Strauss serves asJ. Robert Oppenheimer’s primary antagonist as the physicist navigates the moral and emotional dilemmas of creating the atomic bomb.
Previously, the Marvel star earned nods for best supporting actor in 2009’sTropic Thunderand best actor in an action movie forThe AvengersandIron Man 3.
Along with Downey Jr.’s nomination, theChristopher Nolanfilm is in contention for 12 other categories.
Sterling K. Brown in New York City on Nov. 20, 2023.John Nacion/Getty Images

John Nacion/Getty Images
Brown, 47, received his first Critics Choice nod and win in 2018 for his leading role in the drama seriesThis Is Us, but his role inAmerican Fictionis the first acknowledgment of his film work at the ceremony.
Playing the recently divorced brother ofJeffrey Wright’s Monk Ellison (who is nominated for best actor), theEmmywinner delivered a nuanced performance in the dramedy as a newly out man.
In addition to Brown’s nomination,American Fictionis up for four more categories, including best comedy and best picture.
Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio inKillers of the Flower Moon(2023).Apple Original Films

Apple Original Films
Ryan Gosling inBarbie(2023).Warner Bros

Warner Bros
Gosling’s over-the-top Kenergy garnered rave reviews after the summer blockbusterBarbie. No stranger to the Critics Choice Awards, theLa La Landactor, 43, adds a ninth nomination to his count with his role as the Mattel doll’s head-over-heels boyfriend Ken.
Greta Gerwig’sBarbieis up for a record-breaking 18 categories, with best director for Gerwig, 40, best actress forMargot Robbie, best supporting actress forAmerica Ferreraand best picture among the mix.
Charles Melton inMay December(2023).Francois Duhamel/Courtesy of Netflix

Francois Duhamel/Courtesy of Netflix
Acting alongsideJulianne MooreandNatalie Portman, Melton, 33, emerged from Todd Haynes’May Decemberwith one of the best performances of the year.
Mark Ruffalo inPoor Things(2023).20th Century Studios

20th Century Studios
In trying to rein in the antics ofEmma Stone’s Bella Baxter, Ruffalo, 56, has been receiving praise for his performance as Duncan Wedderburn inYorgos Lanthimos’Poor Things.
TheAvengersstar has three more nominations for best supporting actor at the Critics Choice Awards for 2011’sThe Kids Are All Right, 2015’sFoxcatcherand 2016’sSpotlight.Poor Thingshas 13 total nods.
SeePEOPLE’s full coverageof the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards as they’re broadcasting live from Barkar Hangar in Santa Monica on The CW.
source: people.com