Troy Kotsur made history as the first deaf actor to claim an individual prize at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday (27.02.22).
Troy Kotsur made history at the SAG Awards
The 53-year-old star took home the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role accolade for his work as Frank Rossi in 'CODA' and reflected on his beginnings as a struggling actor in an acceptance speech delivered via an ASL interpreter.
He signed to the audience: “Wow. Thank you so much to all the members of SAG. I am so proud to be a member. I’ve been a member since 2001, and so now I feel like I’m finally part of the family.
“I know you all are artists, and I know you all know what it’s like to be a starving actor. Back then, I used to sleep in my car. I slept in my dressing room backstage, I couch-surfed and all of that, you feel me, right? So, thank you so much. I’m so grateful to SAG [for protecting] us actors.”
Troy beat out competition from Ben Affleck ('The Tender Bar'), Bradley Cooper ('Licorice Pizza'), Jared Leto ('House of Gucci') and Kodi Smit-McPhee ('The Power of the Dog') to take the prize.
Elsewhere, Ariana DeBose scooped the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role accolade for her work on 'West Side Story', seeing off a shortlist of Caitriona Balfe ('Belfast'), Cate Blanchett ('Nightmare Alley'), Kirsten Dunst ('The Power of the Dog'), and Ruth Negga ('Passing').
The 31-year-old star admitted she was "extremely proud" of her portrayal of Anita in the musical.
She said: "It’s taken a long time for me to feel comfortable calling myself an actor. My roots come from the dance world and the Broadway stage...
"The Anita that we see on the screen, took every bit of me, but she took 10 years to make and I’m extremely proud of her and of our film. And I really do believe that when you recognise one of us you recognize all of us in a way.”
As well as thanking the cast and crew, Ariana singled out director Steven Spielberg for special praise because be had believed "in the possibility of not only my talent but of that of my colleagues."
She ended her speech by thanking those assembled for the ceremony.
She said: “I have watched so many of you for a very long time. You inspire me and you continue to do so and I am just thrilled to be among you.”
Earlier in the evening, Ariana had grown tearful on the red carpet at Santa Monica's Barker Hangar when she reflected on how far she's come since she tried out for 'So You Think You Can Dance' at the age of just 18.
She told 'Live From E!: SAG Awards' host Laverne Cox: "Already, I'm already crying. It's amazing...This is what dreams are made of."
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