Daniel Kaluuya took home the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah during Sunday night’s 2021 Oscars.
The actor beat out fellow nominees Sacha Baron Cohen (The Trial of the Chicago 7), Leslie Odom Jr. (One Night in Miami), Paul Raci (Sound of Metal)and LaKeith Stanfield (Judas and the Black Messiah).
“Man, thank you, God. I can’t be here without your guidance and your protection,” the actor began. After thanking his family and friends, Kaluuya also recognized his Judas co-stars. “I share this honor with the gift that is LaKeith Stanfield. The light that is Dominique Fishback.”
Kaluuya also took a moment to honor Chairman Fred Hampton, whom he portrayed in the film. “What a man. How blessed that we lived in a lifetime that he existed,” he said. “He was on this earth for 21 years, and he found a way to feed kids breakfast, educate kids, give free medical care against all the odds.”
Of the Black Panther party, the actor said, “They showed me how to love myself, and with that love they overflowed it to the Black community and then to other communities” and showed “the power of union, the power of unity.”
Kaluuya also encouraged the audience that there’s “so much work to do” and everyone must celebrate life. “We’re breathing, we’re walking. It’s incredible.” Though he said he would “get back to work Tuesday morning,” he quipped, “tonight I’m going up!”
Later on in the press room, the actor continued to honor Hampton explaining, “The fact that I could even stand of this stage with this statue is because of what he did.”
He also addressed the comment he made onstage about his parents having sex while his mother sat in the audience: “It just came out of my mouth. My mom is probably going to text me. I really shouldn’t have said that. I am trying to avoid my phone for a bit. She is not going to be very happy.” But then he reiterated, “She has a great sense of humor. She is going to be cool.”
Three years after his Get Out nom, Kaluuya has been poised to win for his portrayal of Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. Helmed by Shaka King, who was one of the film’s four writers, Judas tells the story of Hampton’s movement infiltrated by the FBI and informant William O’Neal (Stanfield). The activist was shot and killed by police in 1969 at the age of 21.
With Shaka King, Charles D. King, and Ryan Coogler serving as the film’s producer trio, Judas made history by becoming the first best picture nominee with an all-Black producing team.
Kaluuya’s Oscar win follows his recent best actor in a film award at the 27th annual SAG Awards.
The 93rd Oscars were held at the Union Station in Los Angeles and the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and televised live on ABC. There was no host. The event was produced by Steven Soderbergh, Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher.
