This morning, thanks to his work in A Star Is Born, iconically mustachioed cowboy-man Sam Elliott earned his very first Oscar nomination, and according to Deadline, his first reaction to the honor was, “It’s about fucking time.” He also added some more measured reactions that are significantly less fun, noting that the nomination is “really about the work” and “the creative process,” so “it’s great to be recognized for that.”
Yeah, that probably is great, but Elliott’s initial point stands: It’s about fucking time. He began his acting career 50 years ago, and since then he’s managed to make every role memorable just from the strength of his Western drawl and big bushy mustache (even if he doesn’t always have a mustache). He was in Road House and The Big Lebowski and Parks And Recreation, even if that last one isn’t technically a movie, and it’s taken until now for him to get some recognition from the Academy Awards.
As for why this latest take on A Star Is Born seems to be blowing up so nicely, Elliott said Bradley Cooper’s version of the story is “beautiful,” and he’s “grateful to be a part of” a movie like this that touches on important themes like love and addiction. Deadline also notes that he seems “humbly surprised” by the nomination despite his good line up above, noting that his “biggest takeaway” is actually how fortunate he is to still be in the acting game.
We’ll find out if Elliott wins when the still-hostless Academy Awards are held on February 24.