Don Cheadle was given an Emmy nomination for his brief performance on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) TV series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, currently streaming on Disney +.
But his reaction to being nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series was a departure from the usual tone of other grateful actors.
He tweeted a message addressing both congratulatory fans and disappointed critics of his Emmy nod:
thanks, well wishers. sorry, haters. agreed, [shrugging emoji]. i don't really get it either. buuuuuuuuuut on we go ...
thanks, well wishers. sorry, haters. agreed, ers. i don't really get it either. buuuuuuuuuut on we go ...— Don" 't ask me google questions" Cheadle (@Don" 't ask me google questions" Cheadle) 1626196665
Cheadle reprised his James Rhodes character from the MCU on the series' first episode, titled "New World Order."
His screen time was less than five minutes.
The blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo was clearly enough time for the Television Academy to deem his performance was worthy of giving the actor an Emmy nod on Tuesday.
dont let them bring you down. you so deserve it, especially bc of your solid career— adel WANDAVISION 23X EMMY NOMINEE (@adel WANDAVISION 23X EMMY NOMINEE) 1626197502
Congratulations! The scene really made the show for me though so I get it. Others saw it that way too. https://youtu.be/KnaoOgYHQzs\u00a0\n\nBob Newhart's first Emmy was for guest acting on Big Bang Theory. Often these recognize people with a body of work that didn't get enough credit.— Nightmusic @\ud83c\udfe1 (@Nightmusic @\ud83c\udfe1) 1626207584
Well Cheadle has been awesome in everything I've seen him in ... and even if this was just for a few minutes, congratulations anyway lol— Adam Johnson (@Adam Johnson) 1626209914
I love that. Even you Don't understand it. You're a great actor but it's so weird to give someone a nomination for a few minutes where basically they just talked a bit. We love you don!!— it's drewtal out here\ud83d\udd25 (@it's drewtal out here\ud83d\udd25) 1626216710
I can dig that, Mr. Lumbly's performance was exquisite. I will add though that sometimes, as I am sure you are well aware, an actor brings to even a minor voice, power. !And the thematic tone of your delivery, even in that short temporal moment was tone that everything followed.— Eric Dana Williams (@Eric Dana Williams) 1626218638
It probably won't be the most exciting scene of your career but your a great actor if someone wants to give you awards don't say no— vrinkles (@vrinkles) 1626196839
Dude, you appeared for 5 minutes and are the only Emmy nom for that entire series. That takes talent.— Tracy Nichols \u2721 \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udc31\ud83d\udc97\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc99 (@Tracy Nichols \u2721 \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83d\udc31\ud83d\udc97\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc99) 1626209576
if you really think about it, Don's three minutes were actually the best part of the show! congrats king, well deserved we love seeing you win it— tiana\u2077\u1d3e\u1d36\u1d39 \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8 (@tiana\u2077\u1d3e\u1d36\u1d39 \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8) 1626227731
It\u2019s for Guest Star, right?\nYou were a Guest Star. You did a great job... would\u2019ve liked to see more, but \u201cscript\u201d. \n\nCongratulations \n\n#WARMACHINEROX— Rob Houtsch (@Rob Houtsch) 1626205831
Lol Don't Be Humble Bro, You That Damn Good.— Joey Black (@Joey Black) 1626214136
However, one naysayer suggested Cheadle step aside to give another actor with more screen time their moment of glory.
Bro step down and a make a spot for someone that did a bit more.— Sighphi (@Sighphi) 1626197561
Cheadle responded with laughing emojis and said:
"Step down?!? You really don't know how this emmy thing works, huh?"
step down?!? you really don't know how this emmy thing works, huh?https://twitter.com/sighphi/status/1415001247208333315\u00a0\u2026— Don" 't ask me google questions" Cheadle (@Don" 't ask me google questions" Cheadle) 1626205096
This marks Cheadle's eleventh Emmy nomination.
The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards is scheduled to air on September 19 on CBS.
