The Los Angeles Times reported that John Singleton ("Boyz n the Hood"), Lee Daniels (2009's "Precious"), Steve McQueen (2013's "12 Years a Slave") and Barry Jenkins (2017's "Moonlight") have all previously been nominated in the Oscar category.
If Peele wins, he would be the first black director to have an Academy Award.
Related: Oscar nominations: ‘The Shape of Water,’ ‘Dunkirk,’ ‘Three Billboards,’ lead nominees
Peele has already made history as the first black filmmaker nominated for writing, producing and directing in the same year, according to Esquire.
The feat doesn't seem lost on Peele. He tweeted gratitude after the nominations were announced.
“Right now I’m just thinking about everyone who bought a ticket and told someone else to. You did this. Thank you,” he wrote.
Right now I’m just thinking about everyone who bought a ticket and told someone else to. You did this. Thank you. ✊🏾
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) January 23, 2018
"Get Out" star Daniel Kaluuya also received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. "I just spoke to Daniel," Peele wrote on Twitter. "You know when you're on the phone trying to disguise the sound of an ugly cry? I failed at that."
The Oscars are March 4.
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