#Nick Offerman Thanks HBO for “Having the Guts” to Make Queer Love Story in ‘The Last of Us’ During Independent Spirit Awards Speech

Nick Offerman became a first-time Independent Spirit Awards winner during the 2024 awards ceremony on Sunday, winning for best supporting performance in a new scripted series for his role in The Last of Us.

“I am astonished to be in this category, which is bananas,” Offerman said onstage. “Congrats to all of you. This is crazy.” 

“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 asshole. So more of that,” he said, speaking about his role as Bill in the critically-acclaimed episode “Long, Long Time.” 

He went on to cite his co-star and fellow nominee in the category Murray Bartlett, who he said “planted the strawberries and that is not a euphemism.” 

He ended his speech on a humorous note, thanking his team and loved ones, including wife Megan Mullally whom he called, “my bride and my puzzle coach and legal property.”

The actor was up against his The Last of Us co-star Bartlett, as well as Billie Eilish (Swarm), Jack Farthing (Rain Dogs), Adina Porter (The Changeling), Lewis Pullman (Lessons in Chemistry), Benny Safdie (The Curse), Luke Tennie (Shrinking), Olivia Washington (I’m a Virgo) and Jessica Williams (Shrinking). 

The Independent Spirit Awards aired live on Film Independent and IMDb’s YouTube channels and X (formerly known as Twitter) pages.