As of this morning, this year's Oscar nominations have been announced, and while there were a few snubs and surprises, Sam Elliott's recognition for A Star is Born wasn't one of them. Check out Elliott's funny and humble reaction to the exciting news:
I think the thing off the top of my head might be, 'It's about fucking time.' Beyond that, it's really about the work; it's just about the creative process. It's great to be recognized for that, that's really all it's about.
Sam Elliott has been delivering memorable performance for over 50 years, so what's more shocking is that 2019 marks the first time the 74-year-old actor has been nominated for an Oscar. Some of the actor's best known movie appearances include in 1969's Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 1989's Road House and 1993's Tombstone.
Sam Elliott is in Oscar contention for Supporting Actor in Bradley Cooper's remake of A Star Is Born, which received a total of eight nominations this morning, including for Best Picture, Best Actor for Cooper, Best Actress for Lady Gaga, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing and Best Original Song for "Shallow."
He gave an emotional performance as the brother and manager to Cooper's character Jackson Maine, Bobby, especially toward the end of the film when heavier themes of addiction and loss are played out on screen.
Along with his initial reaction to his Oscar nomination, Sam Elliott described to Deadline the number of elements in A Star is Born that he believes has contributed to the film's success among critics and audiences alike.
Although last year's movie is the fourth version of the Star is Born story, Elliott said the combination of the music, the story of love and loss and theme of addiction throughout make it universally relatable to people. He continued with these words:
I think my biggest takeaway is just how fortunate I am. Number one, to still be in the game, but to have an opportunity to work with two people like Bradley and Stefani (Lady Gaga), it's just extraordinary. 50 years into the game and all of a sudden to have anything to do with this, to be connected with a film like this, it's just a wonderful gift.
Sam Elliott shares his Supporting Actor nomination with two other first time nominees: Adam Driver for BlackKklansman and Richard E. Grant for Can You Ever Forgive Me? Oscar winners in the Supporting Actor category from the last two years were also given a nod this morning: Sam Rockwell for his role of former U.S. President George W. Bush in Vice and Mahershala Ali for Green Book.
Sam Rockwell took home the Supporting Actor prize last year for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Mahershala Ali the year prior for Moonlight. Judging by the award season thus far, Ali is the frontrunner is this category, but we'll have to see on Oscar night, which unfolds February 24 and will be televised by ABC.
