The bean-counter who blundered: Cornell-educated accountant and 'Matt Damon lookalike' father-of-three who loves selfies with celebrities is revealed as man who caused the biggest mistake in Oscar history

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The man responsible for handing Warren Beatty the incorrect envelope at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony has been identified as Brian Cullinan, a 57-year-old father of three who has been a accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers for 32 years.

This was only Cullinan's fourth Oscar ceremony, and he was stationed at the stage right entrance used by Beatty and his Bonnie & Clyde co-star Faye Dunaway when they walked out to present the award for Best Picture at the ceremony.

Instead of handing them that envelope however, Cullinan gave Beatty a duplicate envelope he was holding for Best Actress in a Leading Role, the award that had just been presented to Emma Stone of La La Land.

That is why in her confusion, Dunaway announced La La Land as the winner when Beatty showed her the card.

It is unclear what caused the mistake, but it is known that Cullinan had spent the night snapping photos of celebrities and posting them on social media, including one of Stone moments before Beatty took the stage.

It seems to be his favorite perk of the job, that and the many interviews and television appearances it comes with, photos of which he frequently posts on social media. 

In addition to his Oscar duties, Cullinan is a US Board Member at PwC and Managing Partner for the Southern California, Nevada and Arizona Markets - and according to the company, a Matt Damon lookalike.

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 Dynamic duo: Accountants Martha Ruiz and Brian Cullinan are in charge of overseeing Oscars results, and were the two PwC employees at the Dolby theater on Sunday (above on the red carpet)

Going for it: Everyone on stage starred in disbelief Sunday night as Cullinan pulled out three envelopes at one point (from left: Emma Stone, Jordan Horowitz, Stage manager Gary Natoli, Warren Beatty, Cullinan, John Legend and Ruiz)

Selfie time: Brian Cullinan (left with Oprah Winfrey in 2015, right with Matt Damon in 2016) is the PricewaterhouseCoopers accountant who handed off the wrong envelope to Warren Beatty at Sunday night's Oscar ceremony

Matt Damon lookalike - according to his own firm: This was how sober accountants PwC profiled Cullinan just before last year's Oscars

Rough night: Cullinan (above in 2015 with Matthew McConaughey) is stationed at one of the entrances to the stage to hand out the envelope announcing the winner in each category

Paparazzi: In addition to posing for photos with celebs when he can, Cullinan also snaps backstage pics of some stars (Sofia Vergara left in 2015, Reese Witherspoon and Kate Winslet right)

Not nice words: Beatty (left) was seen speaking to Cullinan in what looked to be a stern tone after the mistake as Ruiz looked on

False alarm: Ryan Gosling (left) and Emma Stone (top center) were on stage when they learned that La La Land had not won

In the past four years, Cullinan has managed to snap photos with a number of A-list celebrities at the Oscars, and happily shares the photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Among the celebs he has posed with are Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Chrissy Teigen.

Cullinan has also taken backstage shots of a number of stars, including Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara and Kate Winslet at the 2016 ceremony.  

Bad timing: Cullinan posted a photo of Emma Stone backstage after her Oscar win (above)

Cullinan spoke about his job in an interview with his Cornell alumni magazine a few years back, raving about the celebrity access it affords him and telling a story about how Samuel L. Jackson has a photo of him on his cell phone. 

'Everyone who goes out [on stage], you're hanging out with right before,' said Cullinan. 

'I was standing next to and chit-chatting—it's mostly small talk—with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Bette Midler, Matthew McConaughey. To see all those people in the course of about an hour—it's a unique spot to be in.' 

He also spoke about a playful shoving match between himself and Cate Blanchett a few years back.

'She was yanking the bag and I was kidding around, holding it with two hands,' said Cullinan. 

'What was interesting is that I knew that in the bag was the envelope saying that she had won Best Actress.' 

Big deal: Cullinan posted grabs from his Fox News interview over the weekend (above)

Happy couple: Cullinan and his wife Andrea (above on Sunday), 52, have been married for almost 30 years

Family time: Cullinan and his family pose with Santa Clkaus over the hoplidays ( l to r: Brian, Bree, Santa, Andrea, Brett, and Drew)

Stunning: The family lives in a 4,100 square feet Malibu home with Pacific views worth an estimated $2.9 million (view from the home above)

No worries: After the outcry, Ruiz posted a photo of herself and Cullinan posing with Michael Strahan with the caption: 'On the Red Carpet.....'

Hanging with friends: Cullinan backstage with Lupita Nyong'o before she presented the best Supporting Actor Oscar at the 2015 ceremony (above)

Gang's all here: Cullinan and Ruiz pose with Chrissy Teigen and John Legend on the Oscars red carpet in 2016 (above)

Cullinan lives with his wife Andrea, 52, in a 4,100 square feet Malibu home with Pacific views worth an estimated $2.9 million. The couple have three children, sons Brett and Drew and a 20-year-old daughter Bree.

The couple married in 1988, shortly after Cullinan graduated from Cornell University in New York. He also holds a master's degree in accounting from Northeastern University. 

It was his former boss who got Cullinan the Oscar ballot position he has said in the past, handing it over when he decided to step down. 

Cullinan speaks about his Oscar job all the time it seems with press from around the world, posting images as he is filmed to his Twitter.

He said of his job back in 2015 when Martha Ruiz joined him as a member of the two-person Oscar team: 'The Oscars balloting process is a symbol of PwC’s culture of integrity and trust.

'Each year, the Oscars serve as an immense source of pride for the people of PwC. This year, I look forward to working closely with Martha, and, on behalf of PwC and the Academy, thank Rick Rosas for his 14 years of impeccable service.'

In that same press release, Dawn Hudson, the CEO of the Academy, said: 'The foundation of our long-standing relationship with PwC is based on integrity and trust. We look forward to working with Martha, Brian and PwC for many years to come.' 

Just before the ceremony, Cullinan also gave an interview to The Huffington Post about the possibility of something going wrong during the ceremony. 

He was quick to point out before answering however that a mistake had never happened at that point in the 88-year history of the Oscars.

'We would make sure that the correct person was known very quickly,' said Cullinan. 

'Whether that entails stopping the show, us walking onstage, us signaling to the stage manager - that’s really a game-time decision, if something like that were to happen. Again, it’s so unlikely.'

Ruiz meanwhile does not seem the least bit worried about the incident, having not been the person who handed off the incorrect envelope on Sunday. 

In fact, she even posted another celebrity photo on Monday after the outcry that featured and Cullinan with Good Morning America co-host Michael Strahan.

She also dismissed the possibility of a mistake in that same interview last week, saying: 'It’s him checking me and me checking him, and we do it multiple times against each other to make sure that when we leave and are ultimately handing the envelopes to someone, we’re very confident they’re getting the right envelopes and the contents in them are accurate 

Against the rules: Ruiz and Cullinan are supposed to be stationed at opposite stage entrances, but were photographed standing together just before the Best Picture category (above)

Partner in crime: Cullinan and Martha Ruiz (above) are the two-person team that tabulates up the Oscar ballots

Practice makes perfect: Ruiz and Cullinan posted a photo last week as they attended rehersal for Sunday night's awards show (above)

Internationally in-demand: Cullinan filming a segment for a Japanese news program (above) while carrying the infamous briefcase

A star is born: Cullinan frequently posts photos of the press and television appearances he does as part of the Oscar ballot team (above earlier this year)

All smiles:  Cullinan handed Brie Larson (above) the Actor in a Leading Role envelope two categories prior to Best Picture, while holding a handful of other envelopes on Sunday

PricewaterhouseCoopers released a statement at the request of the Academy on Monday stating: 'We sincerely apologize to Moonlight, La La Land, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, and Oscar viewers for the error that was made during the award announcement for Best Picture. 

'The presenters had mistakenly been given the wrong category envelope and when discovered, was immediately corrected. We are currently investigating how this could have happened, and deeply regret that this occurred.

'We appreciate the grace with which the nominees, the Academy, ABC, and Jimmy Kimmel handled the situation.' 

The problem began with Stone's category on Sunday night, which was the penultimate Oscar to be handed out at the show.

Leonardo DiCaprio entered from stage left to present the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and Ruiz was in the wings waiting to hand him the envelope for that category.

The correct envelope was given and after DiCaprio announced that the winner was Stone, she took the stage and gave her speech before exiting stage left with both her Oscar and the envelope.

She later made it very clear that she did not cause any problems as well, firmly telling reporters that she had her envelope.

'I also was holding my best actress in a leading role card that entire time,' said Stone backstage. 

'I don't mean to start stuff, but whatever story that was - I had that card.'  

Not good: Ruiz and Cullinan look on after handing the correct envelope to Beatty, who reportedly refused to hand it over to stage manager Gary Natoli (center)

Oscar mayhem: Cullinan and Ruiz (above) clearly could not believe what had happened during the show and did not hide how upset they were on stage

'La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz returned to the microphone and said 'Moonlight won Best Picture' and insisting that 'this is not a joke'

Going for it: Everyone on stage starred in disbelief Sunday night as Cullinan pulled out the envelope for Best Picture (clockwise from left: Stage manager Gary Natoli, Emma Stone, La La Land producer Mike Jackson, Warren Beatty, Cullinan and Ruiz)

As Warren tried to  explain what happened after the Moonlight producers and castmembers took the stage, the shamed accountant stood in the back with his colleague

He stared at his colleague, by then knowing he was to blame, while Emma Stone stood grinning feet away clutching her co-stars arm in shocked disbelief

After Stone's win, Beatty and Dunaway were announced to present the final award of the night, Best Picture.

Beatty entered from stage right however, and instead of being given the Best Picture envelope was given the duplicate envelope for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Brie Larson had also entered from stage right two categories prior when she presented Casey Affleck with the Actor in a Leading Role award, so it is likely that Beatty was just handed the next envelope in order, which would have been Actress. 

That is why after opening the envelope, a noticeably puzzled Beatty did not know what to say, and looked to his co-presenter Dunaway to see if she could figure out why the envelope said Stone's name and not one of the Best Picture nominees.

When Beatty showed Dunaway however, who seemed to be under the impression that her Bonnie & Clyde co-star was doing some sort of bit, she announced La La Land as the winner.

Moments later though, Dunaway could be seen mouthing to Beatty: 'It said Emma.' 

At that moment, there was serious panic backstage, where one stagehand was overheard saying: 'Oh, f***. Oh my God. He got the wrong envelope.' 

Problem: Beatty then entered with Dunaway from stage right with the incorrect envelope (above)

The beginning of the end: Warren Beatty entered from stage right on Sunday night, and could be seen walking to the podium holding an envelope that clearly said 'Actress in a Leading Role' (above)

Fake news: Beatty and Dunaway hand off the Oscars to Horowitz and Fred Berger, the producers of La La Land (above), after declaring that film the winner

The gang's all here: Horowitz gave his speech first (above) while his cast and crew gathered behind him before moving to the side of the stage

Checking things out: Stage manager Gary Natoli (in headset) then came out and asked to look at the envelope, at which point Horowitz and Fred Berger saw it was not the Best Picture category

Meanwhile, the producers and cast of La La Land began to take the stage, and as producer Jordan Horowitz explained later that night, it soon became clear that there was a problem.

He said that after saying a few words and walking to the side of the stage with the envelope, a stagehand approached him and said he needed to look at the card inside, which he soon saw clearly contained Stone's name.

At the same time, Cullinan and Ruiz made their way on stage, with Cullinan seen on the telecast handing the Best Picture envelope to Beatty.  

Things then took another unexpected turn according to the Los Angeles Times when stage manager Gary Natoli said that Beatty was holding on to the envelope and refusing to let anyone see the winner.

Beatty later said that he wanted to show Moonlight director Barry Jenkins the envelope first, and footage from the telecast shows Beatty remaining at the center of the stage while Dunaway backed further and further away from the crowd.

Horowitz, having figured out that La La Land had not won, eventually rushed to the microphone to announce the mistake, and inform the audience that their film had not taken home the night's big prize.

He then ripped an envelope out of the hands of Beatty to show that it said Moonlight.

That resulted in an odd moment where the cast and crew of La La Land began to slowly exit the stage while the all-black cast of Moonlight walked up with director Barry Jenkins and their three producers.  

Disbelief: Ryan Gosling (left) and Emma Stone (right) could be seen on stage as they learned about the mistake (above)

Shock: Audience members look on in shock as the mistake in announced live on air (front row l to r: Casey Affleck, Christine Boldt, Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps and Ben Affleck; second row: Matt Damon, Jimmy Kimmel and Selma Hayek; third row: Rosalind Ross, Mel Gibson, and Lucas Hedges)

Wonderful surprise: Moonlight actor Jharrel Jerome (center in white jacket) reacts to the news that his film had won Best Picture

Hear him out: Beatty (above) launched into an explanation of what happened after the mishap

Best buds: Moonlight producers Jenkins (left) and Romanski (center) are best friends who met in college

Beatty meanwhile tried to explain his gaff, while host Jimmy Kimmel repeatedly jumped in to joke about the situation in a clear attempt to diffuse the incredibly tense and uncomfortable moment. 

'I opened the envelope and it said "Emma Stone, La La Land,"' said Beatty onstage.

'That's why I looked at Faye, and at you. I wasn't trying to be funny.' 

Some took issue with Beatty commanding the microphone at that moment given the magnitude of the Moonlight win, being the first LGBT film to win Best Picture as well as the first movie with an all-black cast to claim that honor.

Oscars producer Michael De Luca had already poured champagne to celebrate the night, and later thanked Kimmel for how he handled the situation.

'Yeah, but no one is going to remember that now. I don't know what happened. We will analyze every bit of it,' replied Kimmel.

The room where it happened: Beatty speaks with Cullinan and an AMPAS staffer while Dunaway (left) looks on in shock)

Coping: Dunaway (above) seemed to find the entire iuncident amusing on Sunday night

Close eye: Ruiz was seen hanging by Beatty's side as he exited the stage on Sunday night (above)

Keepsake: Beatty was seen carrying the Actress envelope with him later that night at the Governor's Ball (above)

Beatty meanwhile seemed to enjoy the situation, and was later seen carrying the envelope with him at an afterparty.

He tried to make light of the situation, while Dunaway would not speak of what happened on stage when approached by reporters.

Kimmel meanwhile closed out the show Sunday by accepting all blame for the situation.

'Well, I don’t know what happened; I blame myself for this,' said the host. 

'Let’s remember, it’s just an awards show. I mean, we hate to see people disappointed, but the good news is, we got to see some extra speeches. 

'We had some great movies. I knew I would screw this show up, I really did. Thank you for watching. 

'I’m back to work tomorrow night at my regular show.