Jeffrey Wright (‘American Fiction’) set to become his Golden Globe category’s 3rd Black winner
Exactly 20 years after he made history as the first Black performer to win a Golden Globe for a multi-part limited series (Best TV Supporting Actor, “Angels in America”), Jeffrey Wright is widely expected to triumph on his second general notice from the same organization. According to Gold Derby’s odds, he is the frontrunner in the 2024 Best Film Comedy/Musical Actor race based on his work in “American Fiction,” which is also set to compete for Best Comedy/Musical Film and Best Screenplay. If Wright at least prevails and thereby maintains his perfect Golden Globes record, he will become the third Black winner in his category’s seven-decade existence.
Adapted from the no-holds-barred 2001 novel “Erasure,” “American Fiction” was written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Cord Jefferson, who has collected numerous accolades (including a Primetime Emmy) for his script work on such TV programs as “Watchmen” and “Succession.” Wright leads a primarily Black cast as fictional author Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, who experiences an incredible influx of success after flippantly publishing an allegedly autobiographical book that heavily incorporates negative racial stereotypes.
As of now, the only two Black leading men who have scored Golden Globes for comedic or musical performances are Morgan Freeman (“Driving Miss Daisy,” 1990) and Jamie Foxx (“Ray,” 2005), with the sole female case having involved Angela Bassett (“What’s Love Got to Do with It,” 1994). Freeman, who had previously picked up a bid for his supporting turn in “Street Smart” (1988), was this lead category’s fourth Black contender, following Sidney Poitier (“Porgy and Bess,” 1960), James Earl Jones (“Claudine,” 1975), and Eddie Murphy (“Trading Places,” 1984; “Beverly Hills Cop,” 1985).
After Freeman won, this category’s group of Black nominees grew to include Samuel L. Jackson (“Jackie Brown,” 1998), Chiwetel Ejiofor (“Kinky Boots,” 2007), and Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out,” 2018). Murphy, who also earned mentions here for “The Nutty Professor” (1997) and “Dolemite Is My Name” (2020), stands as the only Black performer (regardless of gender) credited with multiple lead Golden Globe nominations for comedy or musical films. In that sense, there is a solid chance that he could soon gain some company if Foxx is recognized alongside Wright for his fact-based portrayal of lawyer Willie E. Gary in “The Burial.” This would mark the first instance of two Black actors competing directly against each other for this particular award.
Factoring in recipients of the Best Film Drama Actor prize, Wright would be the eighth Black male movie lead victor in Golden Globes history, following Poitier (“Lilies of the Field,” 1964), Denzel Washington (“The Hurricane,” 2000), Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland,” 2007), Chadwick Boseman (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” 2021), and Will Smith (“King Richard,” 2022). At 58, he would also be the second oldest Black individual to ever win a film acting Golden Globe, ranking only behind last year’s supporting female champion, Bassett (64, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever).
PREDICT the 2024 Golden Globe nominations through December 11
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