Keivonn Woodard Becomes First Black Deaf Actor to Earn Emmy Nomination

10-year-old Keivonn Woodard has made history as the first Black deaf actor to be nominated for an Emmy Award. He received a nomination in the category of Outstanding Guest Actor in a drama series for his role in HBO’s “The Last of Us.”

Woodard stars as Sam, a deaf youngster with leukaemia, in the post-apocalyptic zombie series, which is inspired by a famous 2013 computer game.

While his video game counterpart is not deaf, the producers chose to hire a deaf actor for the role, allowing Woodard’s performance to stand out on the critically praised programme.

According to Deadline, Woodard acknowledged the nomination’s “importance and huge impact” on performers like him.

April Jackson-Woodard, his mother, also expressed her delight and astonishment, stating she “never thought or dreamed it would happen” to her son, especially on his debut TV appearance.

In his historical achievement, Woodard also became the youngest-ever nominee in the Outstanding Guest Actor category and the second-youngest person to be nominated overall for an Emmy Award.

Alongside his acting aspirations, Woodard is also passionate about hockey and dreams of becoming the first deaf Black player in the National Hockey League.