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The Peanut Butter Falcon star Zack Gottsagen made history as the Academy Awards’ first presenter with Down syndrome at the 2020 Oscars on Sunday.
The actor, who received a standing ovation upon hitting the Dolby Theater stage, announced the nominees and winner of the live-action short film category alongside co-star Shia LaBeouf. The actor waved to the Dolby Theater audience before introducing the nominees.
Gottsagen then made the “Oscar goes to” announcement before LaBeouf announced the winner, presenting it to The Neighbors’ Window, which LaBeouf misread as “The Neighbors’ Widow.”
In The Peanut Butter Falcon — which stars LaBeouf, Bruce Dern and Dakota Johnson — a care home escapee, played by Gottsagen, chases his dream of becoming a professional wrestler.
Sunday night was Gottsagen’s first time attending the star-studded ceremony. Though the actor didn’t receive any awards at the annual show, the Ruderman Family Foundation, which advocates for inclusion of people with disabilities, lauded the evening’s landmark event.
In 1993, the Academy awarded the documentary short subject prize to Educating Peter, a film that follows third-grade student Peter Gwazdauskas, who lives with Down syndrome.
The 92nd annual Academy Awards aired live from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on ABC.
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