Oscar Wins for African-American Actors Marks a Historic Moment
Issue date: 4/15/02 Section: View
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The 2002 Academy Awards marked a moment in history.
After the stardust has settled and the celebrity gossip has died down around the water cooler, Americans and people from around the world are still talking about two African-American actors taking home top honors.
Why is it such a big deal?
Because Halle Berry is the first African-American actress to win the Best Actress award in 74 years for her role in Monster's Ball.
As soon as Berry's name was called and I saw the look of shock in her eyes of what she had just accomplished, I have to admit, I got a little misty-eyed.
How ironic that Berry won considering that one of her movie idols Dorothy Dandridge was the first black actress to be nominated for Best Actress in 1954. In 2000, Berry won critical acclaim and a Golden Globe for her portrayal as Dandridge in the HBO movie, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.
" And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened," she said in her acceptance speech.
When Julia Roberts opened the envelope to announce the coveted prize of Best Actor and said, "It's a good day," I knew Denzel won.
Denzel Washington's win, as the corrupt cop in Training Day was historic as well. He was the first black actor to win since Sidney Poitier in 1963 for Lilies of the Field.
In every role that Washington plays, he immerses himself in it with a vengeance, and constantly sets goals for himself to perfect his craft.
Washington was very calm and poised during his acceptance speech. Ever since he was robbed of an Oscar for his performance as Malcolm X in Malcolm X in 1992, I've had a bone to pick with the Oscars.
Why give Al Pacino an Oscar for his work in A Scent of A Woman? He was entertaining, but c'mon Oscar-worthy?
This Oscar telecast also marked the first time since 1973 that three African-American actors (Berry, Washington and Will Smith) were nominated in top acting categories. In 1973 Diana Ross for Lady Sings the Blues, Cicely Tyson for Sounder and a Best Actor nod went to Paul Winfield for Sounder.
In 74 years of Oscar history only 26 African-Americans have been nominated for acting and only seven including Washington and Berry, have won.
Hopefully, now more opportunities for Oscar-worthy roles will be given to not just African-Americans but all minorities. The next generation of actors will keep the flame lit for many years to come.
Winning African-American Actors:
1939: Hattie McDaniel, best supporting actress, Gone With the Wind
1963: Sidney Poitier, best actor, Lilies of the Field
1982: Louis Gossett Jr., best supporting actor, An Officer and a Gentleman
1989: Denzel Washington, best supporting actor, Glory
1990: Whoopi Goldberg, best supporting actress, Ghost
1996: Cuba Gooding Jr., best supporting actor, Jerry Maguire
2001: Denzel Washington, best actor, Training Day; Halle Berry, best actress, Monster's Ball
After the stardust has settled and the celebrity gossip has died down around the water cooler, Americans and people from around the world are still talking about two African-American actors taking home top honors.
Why is it such a big deal?
Because Halle Berry is the first African-American actress to win the Best Actress award in 74 years for her role in Monster's Ball.
As soon as Berry's name was called and I saw the look of shock in her eyes of what she had just accomplished, I have to admit, I got a little misty-eyed.
How ironic that Berry won considering that one of her movie idols Dorothy Dandridge was the first black actress to be nominated for Best Actress in 1954. In 2000, Berry won critical acclaim and a Golden Globe for her portrayal as Dandridge in the HBO movie, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.
" And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened," she said in her acceptance speech.
When Julia Roberts opened the envelope to announce the coveted prize of Best Actor and said, "It's a good day," I knew Denzel won.
Denzel Washington's win, as the corrupt cop in Training Day was historic as well. He was the first black actor to win since Sidney Poitier in 1963 for Lilies of the Field.
In every role that Washington plays, he immerses himself in it with a vengeance, and constantly sets goals for himself to perfect his craft.
Washington was very calm and poised during his acceptance speech. Ever since he was robbed of an Oscar for his performance as Malcolm X in Malcolm X in 1992, I've had a bone to pick with the Oscars.
Why give Al Pacino an Oscar for his work in A Scent of A Woman? He was entertaining, but c'mon Oscar-worthy?
This Oscar telecast also marked the first time since 1973 that three African-American actors (Berry, Washington and Will Smith) were nominated in top acting categories. In 1973 Diana Ross for Lady Sings the Blues, Cicely Tyson for Sounder and a Best Actor nod went to Paul Winfield for Sounder.
In 74 years of Oscar history only 26 African-Americans have been nominated for acting and only seven including Washington and Berry, have won.
Hopefully, now more opportunities for Oscar-worthy roles will be given to not just African-Americans but all minorities. The next generation of actors will keep the flame lit for many years to come.
Winning African-American Actors:
1939: Hattie McDaniel, best supporting actress, Gone With the Wind
1963: Sidney Poitier, best actor, Lilies of the Field
1982: Louis Gossett Jr., best supporting actor, An Officer and a Gentleman
1989: Denzel Washington, best supporting actor, Glory
1990: Whoopi Goldberg, best supporting actress, Ghost
1996: Cuba Gooding Jr., best supporting actor, Jerry Maguire
2001: Denzel Washington, best actor, Training Day; Halle Berry, best actress, Monster's Ball