The Los Angeles Times lobbies for an Oscar for Johnny Depp–for RANGO!

In a fascinating column in today’s Los Angeles Times Awards Tracker blog, Tom O’Neil makes a strong case that Johnny Depp deserves an Oscar nod for his vocal performance in Rango. The only problem is, there is no such category . . . yet. “Rango is such a financial and critical success that it may be an Oscar contender for best animated feature next year, but Depp himself can’t be nominated,” O’Neil writes. Unlike the Emmys, which have presented awards for voice-over performances since 1992, the Oscars don’t have a separate category to honor the contributions of actors to animated films. “Isn’t it time the Academy Awards created one?” O’Neil asks. Yes, indeed!

O’Neil makes an excellent case for creating an Oscar for Best Voice-over Performance in an Animated Film. “Animation is one of the most successful genres of filmmaking,” he points out. And Oscar viewers often complain “that there are too many technical awards and not enough performance ones. Of the two dozen competitive categories, only four Oscars go to actors and actresses.” One more acting award would be welcomed by viewers, performers, and studios, and would recognize the outstanding work done by actors in animated films.

“It’s time for the academy to realize the potential of this untapped goldmine,” concludes O’Neil. “Leading off the first lead voice-over race could be Johnny Depp.”

We heartily agree! It’s time for the Academy Awards to catch up with their younger sibling, the Emmys, and honor the contribution of actors to animation. The recognition is long overdue.

You can read Tom O’Neil’s article HERE. For a discussion of the subject and all things Rango, see the Zone’s Porch General Discussion forum.