The Last of Us guest star Keivonn Montreal Woodard, who played Sam Burrell, became the youngest Emmy nominee for the Guest Actor in a Drama Series category and the first Black Deaf actor in Emmy history to secure a nomination at 10.
According to Deadline, the 10-year-old actor and his mom, April Jackson-Woodard, learned of his nomination Wednesday morning, July 12, when he was at a basketball camp. In an exclusive interview with the outlet, Jackson-Woodard explained that Keivonn knew the importance of the nomination, and he offered some insightful words to those like him.
“I think that everybody should just do their best when they’re trying to act and just go for the auditions,” Keivonn said. “Don’t worry about it, and just go ahead and try to act your best. Yes, it was hard with the facial expressions and learning how to [interpret the script for American Sign Language], but I think it’s really important to also learn to listen to your production team and to collaborate with them. I got in, and so can you.”
Keivonn played Sam Burrell, the youngest and deaf brother of Henry Burrel (Lamar Johnson), in HBO’s The Last of Us. Sam would ultimately be shot and killed by Henry after he attacked Ellie (Bella Ramsey) because he was infected, unbeknownst to Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Henry.
Jackson-Woodard couldn’t believe the news of her son’s latest accomplishment until people began sending her text messages congratulating him, like first-time Emmy nominee Ramsey, who’s up for the Oustanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and showrunner Craig Mazin.
“People kept sending messages, and I cried immediately because I never thought or dreamed it would happen to my son,” Jackson-Woodard admitted. “You know, I never even considered it. After Keivonn got the role, I asked myself, ‘How do I even prepare my life?’ It wasn’t easy, especially as a Black Deaf mother and also being a widow. I was trying to take care of everything on my own, but he would say, ‘Mom, I got this.’ And he did. He’s the first young Black Deaf actor to be nominated in Emmys history, on top of this being his first TV show [and major audition process]. We are completely humbled and honored.”
Prior to The Last of Us, Keivonn played a deaf student in Seeds of Hope: The Andrew Jackson Foster Story. Sam Burrell was his first major role, and the fact that he landed an Emmy nomination is quite incredible. He is set to star in Anslem Richardson’s short film, Fractal.
Keivonn got candid about how close he had become with his fellow HBO castmates since working on the set, adding that many have picked up on some ASL.
“Bella really became like a big sister. She knew [a bit of] British Sign Language, so she also picked up some American Sign Language as well, without the interpreter. Pedro, he was able to [receptively] understand and give hugs and [friendly] gestures,” Keivonn said. “But Lamar [Johnson, who plays his older brother in the show], we were almost like brothers. We would play video games and chat using technology. A lot of [the cast] learned sign language, even though we didn’t ask anybody to do anything. It was an amazing experience. A good representation of what the world should be, everybody interacting and communicating regardless of anything.”
The 75th Emmy Awards will broadcast live on FOX on Monday, September 18, at 5 PDT / 8 EDT, from the Peacock Theater at LA Live.
