‘Gilmore Girls’ Was an Early Acting Job for This Academy Awards Nominee
Leslie Odom Jr. has a chance to make history at the Academy Awards. The famed actor is nominated in two categories and is getting closer and closer to the coveted EGOT. Before starring on Broadway and in films, Odom Jr. got his start on a popular, early 2000s dramedy. That’s right, one of Odom Jr.’s first acting gigs was on Gilmore Girls.
Leslie Odom Jr. picked up rare, dual Oscar nominations
Odom Jr. has made history with dual Oscar nominations. The 39-year-old is the first male actor to receive Academy Award nominations in an acting and music category for his work on One Night in Miami. Odom Jr. is nominated in the best supporting actor category for his portrayal of Sam Cooke. He is also nominated, along with Sam Ashworth, in the best original song category. Odom Jr. co-write “Speak Now” with Ashworth.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar nods also put Odom one step closer to landing on a shortlist of performers to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. Odom Jr. picked up wins at the Grammys and the Tonys for starring in Hamilton. Currently, there are only 16 performers who have completed the EGOT. Odom Jr. would need to pick up one of his two Oscars and earn an Emmy win to complete the series.
Leslie Odom Jr. appeared briefly in Gilmore Girls before scoring his breakout job
Odom Jr. has already had an illustrious career at just 39-years-old. His role in Hamilton has been praised, but long before appearing on Broadway, Odom Jr. popped up in a popular dramedy. In 2006, Odom Jr. had a brief role in Gilmore Girls. He only appeared in one scene, but fans of the series were quick to spot him.
Odom Jr. portrayed Quentin Walsh in the 16th episode of season 6. The episode “Bridesmaids Revisited” focused on Rory Gilmore’s relationship with Logan Huntzberger. Odom Jr.’s character, Quentin, appeared during a journalism panel. Quentin was the editor of the Daily Princetonian, the student newspaper of Princeton University. According to IMDb, the gig was just his third credited acting role.
An Oscar winner also appeared briefly in Gilmore Girls
Odom Jr. isn’t the only Oscar nominee to appear in the series, albeit briefly. Before he transformed into Freddie Mercury for Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek appeared in Gilmore Girls. Malek has spoken openly about his brief appearance on the show. He told Glamour that he was immensely grateful for his small scene on the show, stating that it made him feel like his career could happen.
The 2004 episode, “In the Clamor and the Clanger,” was Malek’s first credited acting job. He portrayed Andy, a college classmate of Lane Kim, in a brief scene. He did not go on to reappear in the show, but claims he’d love to work with show creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, again. Malek won the best actor category at the 2019 Academy Awards for his portrayal of Mercury.
