Nick Offerman Claps Back At The Last Of Us Haters In The Best Way Possible
At Sunday’s Film Independent Awards, Nick Offerman was honored with the Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series award and took the opportunity to address some vile comments that have been circulating online about his role on a singular episode of the HBO series The Last of Us. The bigoted comments the actor says he’s endured don’t appear to have made him the least bit regretful for his appearance on the show, and he used his acceptance speech as a platform to praise the progressive attitude of the network while at the same time hitting hard at ignorant viewpoints.
Bill And Frank’s Isn’t A Gay Story, It’s A Love Story
For those who might have missed the award show, Nick Offerman made it very clear how he felt. “Thanks to HBO for having the guts to participate in this storytelling tradition, that is truly independent stories with guts, that when homophobic hate comes my way, and says, ‘Why did you have to make it a gay story?’ We say, ‘Because you ask questions like that. It’s not a gay story, it’s a love story, you assh*le.'” The Last of Us guest star was met with resounding applause for his remarks.
Long, Long Time Was A Standout Episode
Nick Offerman appeared in one episode of The Last of Us, but his portrayal of doomsday prepper Bill was remarkable on the small screen. The episode, titled “Long, Long Time” centers around Offerman’s character Bill finding a traveler named Frank caught in one of the many traps surrounding his property. After Bill rescues Frank, the two of them have a dinner together that is the impetus for the men to begin a 20-year romantic relationship.
Nick Offerman’s Performance Lauded
The role that Nick Offerman portrayed in The Last of Us also garnered the actor another major award. In addition to his Spirit Award, Offerman was presented with a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. The stellar performance and the accolades that followed almost never happened, however.
The Actor Nearly Turned Down The Role
Nick Offerman stated in a 2023 interview that he nearly turned down the part in The Last of Us, due to his hectic schedule. The actor noted that after his wife, actress Megan Mullally, he wasn’t left with much choice. “You’re going to Calgary, buddy,” she is said to have jokingly instructed him. Thankfully, the Parks and Rec co-star took his wife’s direction and accepted what might be considered the most memorable role in his career.
Offerman Receives Outpouring Support
Though there are certainly some voices on social media platforms that railed against the love story that The Last of Us so tearfully told, Nick Offerman’s portrayal has seen an abundance of online praise and support since the episode first aired last year. Among the flurry of impressed viewers was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who tweeted “Episode 3 of Last of Us is unbelievably good story telling. I am in awe of @Nick_Offerman performance. Incredible.”
The Last of Us ran for 10 episodes in 2023. HBO has renewed the series for a second season that is scheduled to debut sometime in 2025. Nick Offerman will co-star in the upcoming film Civil War, set to be released on April 12.
