LOS ANGELES (AP) — “BlacKkKlansman” is the winner of the best adapted screenplay Academy Award, delivering Spike Lee his first competitive Academy Award. It also was an Oscar win for Marymount College graduate Kevin Willmott.
And the Oscar goes to. . . @kufms professor Kevin Willmott and @BlackKkKlansman co-writers Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz for Best Adapted Screenplay! #Oscars #RockChalk pic.twitter.com/KMJpPf2TMx
— University of Kansas (@KUnews) February 25, 2019
And the Oscar goes to. . . Lee started out his acceptance speech with some profanity, telling producers not to start the clock on his speech. Winners have been allotted 90 seconds for their speech from the time their names are called.
Lee ready from a two-page letter that tied together history and the years 1619 and 2019, along with his own story.
The writer-director shares the award with Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, and Willmott.
Willmott grew up in Junction City, Kan., and graduated from St. Xavier High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Marymount College in Salina and a master’s degree from New York University. Willmott is an associate professor in the Film Studies Department at the University of Kansas.
We love this image of @KUFMS students watching as @BlacKkKlansman won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Kevin Willmott, a KU Film & Media Studies professor, co-wrote the film with Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz. #RockChalk #Oscars
: @TrevorMowry pic.twitter.com/QHpGSH9vK1
— University of Kansas (@KUnews) February 25, 2019
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Well deserved! Congratulations Kevin Willmott!! https://t.co/N7hXTOK9dO
— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) February 25, 2019
Lee received the award from Samuel L. Jackson, who has appeared in Lee’s film. Jackson ribbed Lee at the outset of his presentation along with actress Brie Larson, reciting the score of the Knicks game, who notched a rare win.
And the winner is…Our very own @KUFMS professor Kevin Willmott wins Best Adapted Screenplay for co-writing @BlacKkKlansman w/ Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz. We couldn’t be more proud or excited. Congrats, Prof. Willmott! #KUarts #fmswatchparty pic.twitter.com/WRGEgQGGJj
— KU School of Arts (@KUSchoolofArts) February 25, 2019