The actor replies: "Do you know how many times the cops have been called just because we're black?
Based on the true story of the wrongful conviction of black boxer Rubin Carter, the film has been criticised for bending the facts, which may have damaged its chances, but its star, Denzel Washington, appears in the best actor category.
Scores of people have offered accommodation, and supportive messages have been directed at him via social media, including from the actor Samantha Morton and the model Lily Cole.
Richard Farnsworth, 78, becomes the oldest actor ever to be nominated, for his part in David Lynch's The Straight Story.
One was the sense, expressed by poet, actor and playwright Warsama, that the current media conversation was almost entirely one way.
Among the new arrivals was the young actor Richard Todd, who would play the major in the film The Longest Day 20 years later.
As for cast, the addition of Kit Harington positions the film for the attention of Game of Thrones fans, but the actor is pretty unproven at the theatrical box office.
It has also taken down the article from its website and is planning to give the actor an "opportunity to set the record straight".
He trained at Rada and began his career as an actor.
"Whether it's my childhood or whatever, for someone to equate that with what I do as an actor is up to them, but it's too convenient to say it's because he grew up like this, that's why he's like that.
It restricts any posthumous exploitation of the actor, be it through the use of CG to digitally resurrect him in Mrs Doubtfire 2 or as a live hologram performing comedy on stage – something that the advancement of technology has made an increasingly likely occurrence.
