As the 2016 Oscars approach, more and more stars are speaking out about the widely publicized boycott of the annual awards show. Many are upset that the list of acting nominees is comprised of all-white actors for the second year in a row. On Thursday, January 21, Room star William H. Macy addressed the controversy at the Casting Society of America’s 31st Artios Awards in Beverly Hills.
“Good for them. Good for them,” he told Us Weekly of the stars who are taking a stand and staying away from the A-list event. “Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. It’s not right. Someone’s gotta say it. They said it. I applaud them.”
Macy, 65, who costarred alongside best actress nominee and predicted front-runner Brie Larson, won’t be attending the show either, but not because he’s technically joining the boycott.
“I wasn’t invited,” he admitted.
The Shameless actor is one of many in Hollywood to voice their support of the boycott, which was started by actress Jada Pinkett Smith. Since Pinkett Smith’s Facebook video was released January 18, a number of actors have also spoken out about the diversity problem with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including her husband, Will Smith, George Clooney, David Oyelowo, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Spike Lee and more.
And though he’s supportive of the boycott, Macy is also proud of the work he did in the Oscar-nominated film Room.
“I’d rather do a little role in a great movie than a big role in a bad movie,” he told Us.
