2019 has been good to Sam Rockwell. He received another Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination for his work as former President George W. Bush in Adam McKay’s “Vice”. But whether he got the nom or not – Rockwell knew he would be back on the Oscar stage to present an acting award… because he won last year’s Best Supporting Actor prize.
Rockwell and his “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” co-star Frances McDormand (who took home Best Actress last year) gave Best Actress to Olivia Colman. The Brit stunned millions by beating out seven-time nominee Glenn Close, who many considered a lock.
I suspect this was a close vote, and unless there’s an unbelievable scandal down the line, we’ll never know just how close it might’ve been.
Getting back to Rockwell: he’s got a big month ahead. First, a new movie with Taraji P. Henson. STX Films is releasing “The Best of Enemies” on April 4th. It’s based on the true story of activist Ann Atwater (Henson) and ku klux klan leader C.P. Ellis (Rockwell). The trailers make it out to be the latest in the “predictably feel good” genre. Whether that translates into box office gold, we’ll have to see.
And then on April 9th, Rockwell headlines the new FX miniseries “Fosse/Verdon”. Rockwell is legendary choreography Bob Fosse. Michelle Williams is Broadway dancer Gwen Verdon. You know darn well these two will be in the Emmy conversation in another competitive year in the miniseries acting categories. HBO’s “Sharp Objects” and Showtime’s “Escape at Dannemora” are just two of the other titles vying for spots at this year’s ceremony.
But with a career skyrocket rise over the past two years, Rockwell may just have to make more room on the shelf. And next year: get ready to hear him in DreamWorks “Trolls: World Tour”.