Da’Vine Joy Randolph, former Hershey and CASA student, wins first Oscar

Former Hershey and Capital Area School for the Arts Charter High School student Da’Vine Joy Randolph has claimed her first Oscar for her role as Mary Lamb in Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers.”

“AMAZING!” said the City of Harrisburg Facebook page. “From the Capital Area School for the Arts Charter High School right here in Strawberry Square all the way to Oscars gold! Congratulations Da’Vine! Harrisburg is proud of you!”

“From Strawberry Square to the Oscars,” said Governor Josh Shapiro “We’re cheering you on here at home, Da’Vine. Congratulations!”

Randolph won the best supporting actress statuette Sunday for her portrayal of a New England boarding school cafeteria manager dealing with grief and loss.

“I don’t think I was supposed to be doing this for my career,” said Randolph, who is a trained opera singer but had no dreams of being an actor growing up. Her mother convinced her to take an acting class.

“My mother said to me, ‘Go across that street to that theater department. There’s something for you there,’ and I thank my mother for doing that,” Randolph recalled. “I thank you to all the people who have stepped in my path and ushered me and guided me. I’m so grateful to all you beautiful people out there.”

She continued her awards season sweep, previously winning at other shows including the Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA and Golden Globes.

After her victory at the SAG awards, she spoke on being resilient.

“To every actor out there still waiting in the wings for their chance, let me tell you: Your life can change in a day,” Randolph said. “It’s not a question of if but when. Keep going.”

She earned a Tony Award nomination in 2012 for “Ghost The Musical” and her film roles include “Dolemite Is My Name” and “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” On the small screen, she was in “Empire” and “Only Murders in the Building.”

For her win, Randolph beat Emily Blunt in “Oppenheimer,” Danielle Brooks from “The Color Purple,” America Ferrera in “Barbie” and Jodie Foster from “Nyad.”

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