Daniel Kaluuya wins Oscar for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’

British actor Daniel Kaluuya on Sunday, April 25 (Monday, April 26 in Manila)  won his first Oscar for his supporting role as the late Black Panther activist Fred Hampton in drama Judas and the Black Messiah.

Kaluuya, 32, emerged as front-runner for the Academy Award after also winning at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, and British BAFTA ceremonies.

Born in London to Ugandan parents, Kaluuya describes himself as a working class kid who got his first big break in the entertainment industry as a teen actor and writer on the young adult British TV series Skins.

He first came to international attention in the 2017 surprise hit black comedy horror movie Get Out, which brought 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 the age of 21.

The film was made with the blessing and participation of Hampton’s son, Fred Hampton Jr. Kaluuya has said his aim was to honor Hampton’s legacy.

Kaluuya worked in British television and theater before landing small roles in movies such as Johnny English Reborn and thriller Sicario.

He won acclaim for playing a man who lives surrounded by screens in the surreal TV series Black Mirror before being cast in Get Out as a Black man who goes to visit his white girlfriend’s wealthy parents.

That led to part in the 2018 superhero movie Black Panther and a starring role in the independent film Queen & Slim. – Rappler.com