The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 18, 2025
Today: March 18, 2025

'Oppenheimer' director Christopher Nolan and wife Emma Thomas to get British knighthood and damehood

96th Academy Awards - Governors Ball
March 28, 2024
PAN PYLAS - AP

LONDON (AP) — The Oscar-winning director of “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan, and his wife and producer Emma Thomas, will receive a knighthood and damehood for their services to film, according to a statement on Thursday from the U.K. government.

Their recognition comes after their biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb,” swept the awards season, notably at the Academy Awards earlier this month, where the movie won seven Oscars, including best film and best director.

Nolan, 53, had previously been nominated for "Memento,” “Inception” and “Dunkirk."

News of their honors was a bit of a surprise, because they are usually handed out twice in the year, once to mark the new year and then on the birthday of King Charles III, who confers the honors. They are sometimes awarded after special achievements, often related to sports and the arts.

The honors are formally awarded at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, often by the U.K. monarch in person. However, the king is currently not undertaking any royal duties, because he is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Born in London to a British father and American mother, Nolan met his future wife, Thomas, 53, while they both attended University College London. They have four children and run a production company, Syncopy, which has been behind many of their blockbusters.

When Nolan was presented with the British Film Institute Fellowship earlier this year for being “one of the world’s most innovative and influential film directors,” he credited his wife.

He said he never felt alone making films as Thomas “always saw things the same way I did in terms of the importance of the medium.”

Addressing the audience at this year's Academy Awards, Nolan noted cinema is just over a century old.

“Imagine being there 100 years into painting or theater,” said Nolan, who shared the best-picture award with his wife and producer. “We don’t know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think that I’m a meaningful part of it means the world to me.”

Related Articles

Film 'September 5' offers new perspective on Olympic tragedy Breakout Sundance films and key takeaways from this year's festival Steven Soderbergh: 'I'm the cockroach of this industry. I can survive any version of it' Cameron Diaz found a good reason to return to acting after a decade
Share This

Popular

Crime|Entertainment|Europe|Health|Political|World

North Macedonia appeals for calm as nightclub fire deaths trigger protests

North Macedonia appeals for calm as nightclub fire deaths trigger protests
Americas|Crime|Entertainment|Political

Peru declares an emergency and deploys the army as violence surges in the capital

Peru declares an emergency and deploys the army as violence surges in the capital
Celebrity|Entertainment|Sports

Heat-Knicks game is delayed after Tracy Morgan gets sick at Madison Square Garden

Heat-Knicks game is delayed after Tracy Morgan gets sick at Madison Square Garden
Arts|Entertainment|Political|US

Trump uses Kennedy Center visit to criticize the venue and tout his efforts to remake it

Trump uses Kennedy Center visit to criticize the venue and tout his efforts to remake it

Entertainment

Celebrity|Crime|Entertainment|US

Court puts a temporary hold on releasing records related to the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife

Court puts a temporary hold on releasing records related to the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife
Americas|Arts|Entertainment|Lifestyle|US

St. Patrick's Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities

St. Patrick's Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities
Arts|Entertainment|Political|US

Semisonic objects to White House using their song 'Closing Time': 'You missed the point'

Semisonic objects to White House using their song 'Closing Time': 'You missed the point'
Arts|Celebrity|Entertainment

James Taylor songs will fuel an upcoming stage musical, 'Fire & Rain'

James Taylor songs will fuel an upcoming stage musical, 'Fire & Rain'

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In