SAG Awards: The Cast of “CODA” and “West Side Story’s” Ariana DeBose Make History
“CODA” took home the top honor — and made history — at last night’s SAG Awards. Sian Heder’s coming-of-age story about an aspiring singer who is also the only hearing member in a Deaf family won the award for...
Aliver
SAG Awards: The Cast of “CODA” and “West Side Story’s” Ariana DeBose Make History
"CODA": Courtesy of Sundance Institute“CODA” took home the top honor — and made history — at last night’s SAG Awards. Sian Heder’s coming-of-age story about an aspiring singer who is also the only hearing member in a Deaf family won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. The Sundance hit is the first movie with a predominantly Deaf cast to top the category.
Marlee Matlin accepted the honor on the cast’s behalf, and signed the acceptance speech, which was spoken by her interpreter. “We — Deaf actors — have come a long way,” the Oscar winner emphasized. “This validates the fact that we, Deaf actors, can work just like anybody else. We look forward to more opportunities for Deaf actors, Deaf culture.”
Matlin’s on-screen husband, Troy Kotsur, won best supporting actor, making him the first Deaf actor to win an individual SAG Award.
“West Side Story’s” Ariana DeBose also made history at the ceremony, becoming the first openly queer woman to win an individual film prize at the SAG Awards.
Kotsur and DeBose are both up for Academy Awards for their respective roles. The former is the first Deaf male Oscar nominee, and the latter is the first openly queer woman of color Oscar nominee. The Oscars are slated to take place March 27.
Head over to The Hollywood Reporter to check out a complete list of winners from the SAG Awards, including “Hacks'” Jean Smart (Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series) and “Squid Game’s” Jung Ho-yeon (Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series).
