BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – When 1969 Illinois Wesleyan University alumnus Richard Jenkins discovered that he was a best actor nominee for is role in The Visitor, he said he was “surprised, thrilled and a little humbled.” When he attended the 81st Academy Awards as an honored guest on Feb. 22, he said he was amazed.
“It’s a little surreal, the whole thing,” Jenkins said of the Oscar production.
In The Visitor, Jenkins plays the leading role of college professor Walter Vale, who finds that he is sharing his New York apartment with two illegal immigrants. According to 2003 best actor winner Adrien Brody, who introduced Jenkins and was one of five former category winners to present the award for best actor, Jenkins’ performance in the film is a display of “effortless and compelling simplicity.” Brody went on to commend Jenkins for his involvement in over 80 projects since the 1970s.
“I don’t quite remember what he said,” Jenkins admitted. “It’s hard to focus at that moment, but it was very nice. I loved that whole idea of actors talking about actors—I think that’s really a nice way to do it.”
Jenkins’ role in The Visitor has received five nominations from ceremonies like the Screen Actors Guild Awards and four wins in ceremonies such as the Moscow International Film Festival. Though he does not claim a “favorite” project, Jenkins was pleased to be recognized for his performance in The Visitor, which he considers an outstanding professional accomplishment.
“It’s the kind of project I waited for most of my professional life, so this was really special,” he said. “It was a movie I loved, so I didn’t mind talking about it.”