On Sunday night, Daniel Kaluuya was given the award for Best Supporting Actor for his his role in the biographical drama film Judas and the Black Messiah. Kaluuya starred as Fred Hampton, the influential leader of the Black Panther chapter in Chicago. He was not the only actor from Judas and the Black Messiah to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor, as his co-star LaKeith Stanfield also appeared in the movie as the infamous FBI informant William O’Neil, whose shocking betrayal of Hampton to the authorities is the main selling point of the film.

Kaluuya began his acceptance speech by thanking his his co-stars. “I share this honor with the gift that is Lakeith Stanfield, the light that is Dominique Fishback,” he said. Kaluuya also praised Hampton, the Black Panther leader whom he played in the film. “What a man. How blessed we are that we lived in a lifetime where he existed.”

The actor also made sure to give a special mention to his mother. “Thank you so much for pouring into me. It’s so hard to make a film, and make a film about a man like this,” Kaluuya said. “It’s incredible. My mom met my dad, they had sex, it’s amazing. Do you know what I’m saying? I’m here, do you know what I mean? I’m so happy to be alive, so I’m going to celebrate that tonight.”

Sacha Baron Cohen, who was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Trial of the Chicago 7 as the activist and leader of the Youth International Party Abbie Hoffman, referenced Kaluuya’s odd moment in an Instagram post, saying, “Congrats to my fellow Brit @danielkaluuya for winning our acting category (I’m also glad your parents had sex).”

https://youtu.be/x04OPXLnuH8

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Adam Grunther

Article by Adam Grunther

Adam is a graduate of Lynn University with a BA in Drama. He has a passion for film and television.

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