Professional wrestler-turned-thespian Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, best known for playing the titular roles in blockbusters including The Marine and Forrest Gump, has finally earned recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with tonight’s “Best Actor” Oscar win. 

The Miz finally took home his long-sought Oscar statuette in recognition of his critically acclaimed portrayal of Jake Carter, the wisecrackingly endearing marine with a heart of gold who saves the day in 2020’s “The Marine 9: Pandemic-monium!”

The Best Actor category was difficult to predict, given the theatrical acumen of each nominee: 

  • Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”
  • Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
  • Mike “The Miz” Mizanin: “The Marine 9: Pandemic-monium!”
  • Anthony Hopkins, “The Father”
  • Gary Oldman, “Mank”
  • Hunter Hearst Helmsley, “The Chaperone Two-uhh”

Critics praised The Miz’s performance in “The Marine 9” as “fun” and “not wooden,” making it the most critically acclaimed of the entire Marine series, including the high-grossing “Marine 7: Double Trouble,” co-starring Damian Mizdow. 

Although “The Marine 9” was also nominated for Best Picture, the Oscar went to Martin Scorcese’s 2020 shot-for-shot remake of “No Holds Barred.” 

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