Filipino-American actor Darren Criss bagged another prestigious Hollywood award on January 27 for his role in the US television series “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace”.
Criss bagged the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Award during the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards for playing the role of serial killer Andrew Cunanan in the said show.
The 31-year-old actor beat some of the biggest names in Hollywood for the award. Other nominees include Antonio Banderas (Genius: Picasso), Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal), Anthony Hopkins (King Lear), and Bill Pullman (The Sinner).
During his speech, Criss gave a short message to the victims of the real-life Andrew Cunanan.
“The character I played, unfortunately, used masks to destroy things and so as an actor my goal was to use masks to create a positive change.
“So for any of the families and friends of those affected by the destruction that he brought, I hope that they know our goal was to not make a spectacle of their tragedy but to create a positive dialogue about social issues and bring to justice things that were in the shadow,” he said.
Criss also expressed his gratitude for receiving the award.
“This is a high that will last a lifetime. And it is such an honor to be acknowledged by all of you so whether you voted here or at home, over there, thank you so very much.
“If you’re an actor, whether starting out, breaking through or holding on, I wish you all the best. Break a leg. Thank you,” he added.
During the backstage interview, Criss, who is half-Filipino, told reporters that it is about time that people of different ethnicities get to be represented on television.
“It’s a shame that I’m the first. It should have been a while ago, but that’s not the conscious fault of anybody. The roles are few and far between for someone of my ethnicity.” Entertainment Weekly quoted Criss as saying.
“While that’s a tragedy, the winds are shifting and I’m very excited. It’s an honor, and it’s been the coolest year for representation across film and television and culture in general, and I think what’s really exciting about it is that it’s not just some kind of Hollywood agenda. I think consumers have shifted what they want to see; they want to see themselves, they want to see their stories told by new faces and serve that appetite. So to have been a small part of that is an extraordinary privilege that’s much bigger than myself,” he added.
Criss won other prestigious Hollywood Awards for the same role. He also won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Critics’ Choice Award for playing Cunanan.
The SAG Awards are accolades given by the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) to recognize outstanding performances in film and prime time television.
After the ceremony, Criss also posted a video on Instagram to celebrate his win.
Main photo credits: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
