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Christopher Reeve Award for Emerging Talent

Meet the nominees for The DARCYS, recognizing artists, storytellers, and advocates advancing authentic disability representation.

The Christopher Reeve Award for Emerging Talent shines a spotlight on an emerging actor living with paralysis whose talent, determination, and promise are helping shape the future of entertainment. The award includes a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Professional headshot of a person wearing a plaid overshirt layered over a light-colored shirt, facing the camera against a light gray background.

Recepient:

  • Vincent Rutley 

Biography: 

Vincent Rutley was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and in 2004 began pursuing an acting career. Vince joined over 20 stage productions in the Detroit Metro area and was known as an up-and-coming actor, stand-up comedian and sketch comedy writer.

In November of 2011, Vince was in a near fatal car accident that paralyzed him from mid chest down and diagnosed as a quadriplegic. But his faith and tenacity just wouldn't let him accept his circumstances as a burden, and Vince returned back to the stage in 2014 not only as an actor but also as a motivational speaker. After years of therapy, training and getting back into all the things he loves, Vince is breaking into the film scene as a disabled actor, producer and independent filmmaker.