Sealed with a kiss! Camila Alves plants a tender smooch on her leading man Matthew McConaughey as he wins Best Actor at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards

By Louise Saunders

Published: 05:44 EST, 17 January 2014 | Updated: 06:38 EST, 17 January 2014

It had been a day to remember after he bagged his first Oscar nomination for his role in Dallas Buyers Club.

But it would seem it was Matthew McConaughey's lucky day as he took home the coveted Critics' Choice Movie Awards prize for Best Actor at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Thursday evening.

The 44-year-old screen icon couldn't conceal his delight as actress Jessica Chastain announced he had beaten off stiff competition to win the accolade as the great and good of Hollywood looked on. 

Scroll down for full list of winners

Sealed with a kiss: Camila Alves planted a huge kiss on her husband Matthew McConaughey as he was named Best Actor at the 2014 Critics' Choice Awards on Thursday night

A day to remember! By the time the couple posed up on the red carpet at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, Matthew had already received his first ever Oscar nomination

Beaming from ear-to-ear as he stood up to collect his award, the actor was treated to a passionate congratulatory kiss from his stunning wife, Camila Alves.

Placing her hands on her leading man's face and closing her eyes, the Brazilian model looked proud as punch as Matthew walked up on stage to collect his prize.

Speaking in front of the star-studded audience, he exclaimed: 'eah! Alright, alright, alright! Thank you, this is fun.'

Leading man: Camila looked delighted as she proudly applauded her husband on his win

Cute couple: Placing her hands on her leading man's face and closing her eyes, the Brazilian model looked proud as punch as Matthew walked up on stage to collect his prize

Another one for the mantel! The 44-year-old actor donned a steely Lanvin tuxedo to win his Critics' Choice Award for best actor

'Yeahhh, it was nice!' Matthew will next battle Tom Hanks, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Forest Whitaker, and Bruce Dern at the SAG Awards airing Saturday on TNT and TBS

After thanking various industry bigwigs, he played tribute to his character with the words: 'Thank you Ron Woodroof, for living a life that was damn well worth putting on the big screen.'

There was a sense of deja vu as the star also won the title at the Golden Globes last week, and has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.

It was much the same for his co-star Jared Leto, who took home the award for Best Supporting Actor.

'I'd like to dedicate this incredible honour to all the people around the world who are living with HIV, all the people that have lost their lives to this horrific disease,' Jared said. 'To them I thank you, it's incredible to receive this honour.'

His leading lady: The dimpled Texan was dutifully accompanied to the event by his stunning wife of 19 months, Camila

Chic in coral: The Brazilian model - who turns 32 this month - looked lovely in a sleeveless Paule Ka gown, matching Oscar Tiye stilettos, and Martin Katz jewels

'Matthew most of all, I've got to do it baby. Alright, alright, alright, alright! I love you, thank you for bringing me out of retirement and giving me a chance.'

Earlier in the evening, a suited and booted Matthew spoke of his delight at receiving an Oscar nod for his portrayal of HIV-positive Ron Woodroof, which saw him drop almost 50lbs and left him looking almost emaciated.

He said: 'I'm doing really good. Life feels very good. This morning I find out I get nominated, Jared's nominated.

Man of the moment: The 44-year-old screen icon couldn't conceal his delight as actress Jessica Chastain announced he had beaten off stiff competition to win the accolade as the great and good of Hollywood looked on

Kisses all round: There was a sense of deja vu as the star also won the title at the Golden Globes last week, and has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar

Talented actor: After thanking various industry bigwigs, he played tribute to his character with the words: 'Thank you Ron Woodroof, for living a life that was damn well worth putting on the big screen.'

'The film is nominated for best picture, best editing, best make-up, and best original screenplay.

'These kind of roles don't come along often and when they do they're very, very hard to get made, if they do it at all.'

The talented actor called the indie drama 'the ultimate underdog' and revealed producers were turned down 137 times over 20 years in their attempts to get the movie on the big screen.

Talented twosome: It was much the same for his co-star Jared Leto, who took home the award for Best Supporting Actor and also received an Oscar nod in the same category

Tipped for the top: Earlier in the evening, a suited and booted Matthew spoke of his delight at receiving an Oscar nod for his portrayal of HIV-positive Ron Woodroof, which saw him drop almost 50lbs and left him looking almost emaciated

He explained: 'Financing fell through five weeks before we had our first shoot date set. A fertiliser group out of Texas came in and put in some money and we had enough to get started.'

Matthew will next battle Tom Hanks, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Forest Whitaker, and Bruce Dern at the SAG Awards airing on Saturday night.

He will then compete against Ejiofor, Dern, Christian Bale, and Leonardo DiCaprio at the Academy Awards on March 2.

Indie hit! Dallas Buyers Club also nabbed Oscar nods for best picture, best original screenplay, and best supporting actor for Jared Leto (L) when the awards show airs March 2 on ABC