Michael Keaton gave an emotional acceptance speech at the SAG Awards after winning Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a
Television Movie or Limited Series for his work in the Hulu limited series
Dopesick.

Dopesick tracks individuals and families affected by the
opioid addiction issue in the United States, as well as the Purdue Pharma court
case. Dr. Samuel Finnix, a respected physician in his small mining town, is
persuaded by a Purdue Pharma sales man to start prescribing OxyContin to his
patients after being assured that the medicine is not addictive. Keaton’s
nephew died of a fentanyl overdose, so the series was a personal project for
him.

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Keaton said as he received his award. “There’s a real
argument to be made look how polite everyone is that a night like today is
self-serving and narcissistic. “However, I will tell you, I am quite
fortunate,” he continued.

“We could sit here for a week and chat about how
fortunate I am, and I’m sure you’d like it. Everyone likes to listen to Mike
blather on for a few hours. I’m extremely fortunate to be able to accomplish what
I do. I work in a position where I can be a part of a production, such as
Dopesick, that can provoke thought, conversation, and genuine change. Who is
going to get that job? How fortunate am I that good can come from something I
do just because I wanted to become an actor?”

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He further added, “The world is filled with unfairness.
When talking about addiction in Dopesick, accepting that you have a problem is
the first step toward recovery. The entire planet, not just our country. From
an economic, racial, social, and financial standpoint. The world is riddled
with inequality. There’s no denying it. There are two types of equality: fair
treatment and unfair. There isn’t much space in between. Right now, I can feel
the thunder of eye-rolling from folks who are telling me things like, ‘Shut up
and dribble.’ ‘Shut up and do something.’ I’m going to stop acting. Not so much
the shutting up. I consider myself fortunate to be able to make a difference in
someone’s life.”

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While concluding the speech he dedicated his award to his
nephew and “Given the subject matter, this is for my nephew, Michael, and
my sister, Pam. I lost my nephew Michael to drugs, and it hurts. To my sister
Pam, thanks.” sister.