Puppeteer behind Rocky in ‘Project Hail Mary’ could be up for best supporting actor Oscar
by Juliet La Sala · The Washington TimesThe stage performer and master puppeteer who brought the space alien Rocky to life in the recent blockbuster movie “Project Hail Mary” could be eligible for an Academy Award for best supporting actor, multiple news outlets report.
Amazon MGM Studios said it plans to submit James Ortiz for best supporting actor and hopes to revive the Oscars’ Special Achievement Award for his performance.
Mr. Ortiz’s work is eligible for several acting awards, as puppeteers fall under SAG-AFTRA jurisdiction, but his work will not be eligible under the Golden Globes’ rules.
Rocky is a five-legged, rock-like scientist who has been sent from a distant star system to solve an existential threat to his species. He helps and befriends scientist Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), who has been sent from Earth on a similar mission.
There has been a longstanding industry debate over how to classify achievements between acting, voice work and technical artistry.
The Oscars’ Special Achievement Award was last given for Pixar’s “Toy Story” in 1995.
• Juliet La Sala can be reached at jlasala@washingtontimes.com.