Noah Schnapp is celebrating a major honor recognizing both his work on Stranger Things and his impact on LGBTQ+ representation on-screen.
The 21-year-old actor received the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Critics Choice Association’s 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, held at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on Friday (May 29).
Noah was recognized for his work in the acclaimed final season of Netflix’s Stranger Things, with the Critics Choice Association noting that the role gave him “the platform to deliver a compelling portrayal of coming out in the 1980s as a young adult.”
The award was presented by Variety Senior Artisans Editor Jazz Tangcay.
During his acceptance speech, Noah reflected on the parallels between his own life and the journey of his character, Will Byers.
The actor shared that he “didn’t realize how much Will Byers’ journey had been preparing him for his own experience coming out at 18.”
“The vulnerability, the fear of how people perceive you, the desperate hope that the people you love will still see you the same way — I lived all of that very publicly, and I got through it because of my friends and family, who have loved me through all of it. That support means everything,” Noah said.
Noah publicly came out in January 2023 through a TikTok video in which he confirmed his sexuality to fans for the first time.
The actor also posed for photos alongside openly gay stars Dan Levy and Clea DuVall. Dan was honored with the Vanguard Award for his work on the Netflix series Big Mistakes.
The recognition comes amid an exciting year for Noah. Earlier this month, he celebrated his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania with family and recently reunited with several of his Stranger Things co-stars at a Netflix FYSEE Event!
Posted To:Clea DuVall Dan Levy Event Photos Noah Schnapp
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