English entertainer Daniel Kaluuya on Sunday won his first Oscar for his supporting role as the late Black Panther activist Fred Hampton in the drama, “Judas and the Black Messiah.”
Kaluuya, 32, arose as front-runner for the Academy Award after likewise winning at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and British BAFTA ceremonies.
Born in London to Ugandan guardians, Kaluuya depicts himself as an working-class kid who got his first big break in entertainment industry as a teen actor and writer on the youthful grown-up British TV series, “Skins.”
He first came to international attention in the 2017 surprise hit black comedy horror movie “Get Out,” which presented to him a lead actor Oscar nomination.
In “Judas and the Black Messiah,” he plays Black revolutionary leader Hampton, who was shot dead by Chicago police in 1969 at 21 years old.
Kaluuya honored Hampton as he held his Oscar in front of an audience.
“What a man,” Kaluuya said. “How blessed we are that we lived in a lifetime that he existed. Thank you for your life.”
The film was made with the blessing and participation of Hampton’s son, Fred Hampton Jr. Kaluuya has said his point was to respect Hampton’s inheritance.
Kaluuya worked in British TV and theater prior to landing little roles in films, for example, “Johnny English Reborn” and thriller “Sicario.”
He won praise for playing a man who lives encompassed by separates the dreamlike TV series “Black Mirror” prior to being projected in “Get Out” as a Black man who goes to visit his white girlfriend’s wealthy parents.
That prompted a section in the 2018 superhero movie, “Black Panther” and a starring role in the independent film “Queen & Slim.”