LHHS grad Scoot McNairy
Lake Highlands High School graduate Scoot McNairy wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award for his work in “A Complete Unknown,” but he’s mesmerizing to watch and plays a pivotal role in the story. As the biopic begins, Bob Dylan, played by Timothee Chalamet, strikes out for New York City to find his hero, folk music icon Woody Guthrie, played by McNairy. Chalamet is the odds-on favorite to take home the Oscar for Best Actor. The question — will McNairy be at the star-studded ceremony to see his friend win the golden statue?
McNairy has been making great films for almost 25 years, including multiple award-winners. In 2012 he played diplomat Joe Stafford in “Argo,” which was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor for Alan Arkin, Best Original Score, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing. It won Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing. McNairy received a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of that ensemble cast.
In 2014 he played a conniving circus worker in “12 Years a Slave,” which received nine Academy Award nominations including Best Actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor, Best Supporting Actor for Michael Fassbender, Best Director for Steve McQueen, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design and Best Film Editing. The film won Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong’o.
In 2019 he played Business Bob Gilbert in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” which earned ten nominations including Best Picture, Best Director for Quentin Tarantino, Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Brad Pitt won Best Supporting Actor, and the film won Best Production Design.
“A Complete Unknown” is up for Best Picture, Best Director for James Mangold, Best Actor for Timothee Chalamet, Best Supporting Actor for Edward Norton playing Pete Seeger, Best Supporting Actress for Monica Barbara playing Joan Baez, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound and Best Costume Design.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony is Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California beginning at 6 p.m. Dallas time. The show will air live on ABC and stream on Hulu. Official live red-carpet coverage will begin at 5:30. You’ll find a complete list of nominees here.
