An award for 182 seconds? Brad Pitt scores Emmy nomination for three-minute skit

The actor parodied Dr Anthony Fauci in the 'Saturday Night Live' sketch

Oscar winner Brad Pitt portrayed Dr Anthony Fauci in a 'Saturday Night Live' opener in April. Instagram / SNL

All Brad Pitt needed to score his latest award nomination was Zoom, a decent suit and three minutes of his time.

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star received his second Primetime Emmy nomination for acting on Tuesday for a brief cameo he filmed remotely.

The actor, 56, is up for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series at this year's awards ceremony for his portrayal of Dr Anthony Fauci.

Pitt parodied the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in an opening sketch for Saturday Night Live.

The three-minute skit formed part of an April episode of the NBC sketch show, in which performers filmed appearances remotely amid social distancing measures.

Watch Brad Pitt's cameo below:

Pitt is nominated in the category alongside alongside Luke Kirby (The Marvelous Mrs Maisel), the late Fred Willard (Modern Family), Dev Patel (Modern Love) and two fellow SNL guest stars, Adam Driver and Eddie Murphy.

The Seven star played Fauci, a key member of US President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force, in a parody of a televised briefing.

Admitting the president had "taken some liberties with our guidelines" regarding the pandemic, Pitt's Fauci said "when I hear things like the virus can be cured if everyone takes the Tide Pod Challenge, I'll be there to say, 'please don't'."

Pitt also broke character at the end of the sketch, removing his wig and glasses, to deliver a message to those fighting the coronavirus.

"To the real Dr Fauci, thank you for your calm and your clarity in this unnerving time," said the actor, "and thank you to the medical workers, first responders and their families for being on the front line."

The cameo was inspired by Fauci himself who, just weeks earlier, had been asked who he'd like to see portray himself on SNL.

"Here are some suggestions that I've heard. Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt. Which one?" CNN New Day host Alisyn Camerota asked the doctor.

"Oh, Brad Pitt, of course," replied Fauci.

Following Pitt's appearance, Fauci said the actor "did great".

"I'm a great fan of Brad Pitt, and that's the reason why when people ask me who I would like to play me, I mention Brad Pitt," the doctor said on Un Nuevo Dia. "He's one of my favourite actors. I think he did a great job."

Pitt was previously nominated in the same Emmy category in 2002, for his cameo on sitcom Friends.

Jimmy Kimmel will host this year’s awards ceremony, set to air on ABC on Sunday, September 20.

It is not yet clear what the format will be, given the limits on large gatherings imposed by Covid-19.