This is your guide to the major nominees of the 94th Academy Awards ceremony. Part 2 covers the acting and directing awards.
There’s always a lot of talk leading up to the big day about who will win what awards. We try to make our predictions based on trends from the past, but we can’t help to be swayed by our own personal opinions. Some movies truly strike a chord with us, while others aren’t interesting at all. Furthermore, Oscar films are usually heavy in the drama department and therefore they aren’t always the easiest or most entertaining movies to watch.
That’s why we’re here. We’ve compiled the following brief summaries, interesting facts, and critical reviews for all these films and people. The goal is to give you a solid background even if you haven’t been able to catch up with this year’s nominees. So read on, and then start planning your Oscar-related drinking game. The 94th Academy Awards ceremony will take place Sunday, March 27th.
BEST ACTOR NOMINEES
Andrew Garfield – as Jonathan Larson in tick, tick….Boom!
Age: 38
Previously Best Known For:
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Social Network
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2017 – Nomination – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, as Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge
Interesting Fact: Initially auditioned for the role of Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network however David Fincher did not like Garfield for the part as he found Garfield’s “incredible emotional access to his kind of core humanity” better tailored for the role of Eduardo Savern.
Benedict Cumberbatch – as Phil Burbank in The Power of the Dog
Age: 45
Previously Best Known For:
Dr. Strange
The Imitation Game
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2015 – Nomination – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – as Alan Turing inThe Imitation Game
Interesting Fact: Cumberbatch and Alan Turing, who he portrayed in The Imitation Game are actually related in real life. According to ancestry, the two have family relations dating back to the 14th Century.
Javier Bardem – as in Being the Ricardos
Age: 53
Previously Best Known For:
No Country For Old Men
Skyfall
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2011 – Nomination – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, as Uxbal in Biutiful
2008 – Win – Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, as Anton Chigurh No Country for Old Men
2001- Nomination – Best Actor in a Leading Role, as Reinaldo Arenas in Before Night Falls
Interesting Fact: His best actor nomination for Before Night Falls made him the first Spanish actor to receive an Academy Award Nomination, and his Best Supporting Actor victory for No Country for Old Men made him the first Spanish actor to win an Academy Award.
Denzel Washington – as Macbeth in the Tragedy of Macbeth
Age: 67
Previously Best Known For:
Training Day
The Book of Eli
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2018 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Roman J. Israel, Esq.
2017 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – as Troy Maxson in Fences
2013 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – as Whip Whitaker Flight
2002 – Won – Best Actor in a Leading Role – as Det. Alonzo Harris in Training Day
2000 – Nominated – Best Actor in a Leading Role – as Rubin Carter in Hurricane
1993 – Nominated – Best Actor in a Leading Role – Malcolm X
1990 – Won – Best Actor in a Supporting Role – as Pvt. Trip in Glory
1988 – Nominated – Best Actor in a Supporting Role – as Steve Biko in Cry Freedom
Interesting Fact: He turned down Brad Pitt’s role in Se7en, telling Entertainment Weekly that the film was too “dark and evil”.
Will Smith – as Richard Williams in King Richard
Age: 53
Previously Best Known For:
Men in Black
Independence Day
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2007 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happiness
2002 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – Ali
Interesting Fact: Will Smith has been at the height of 6’2” since he was 13.
BEST ACTRESS NOMINEES
Jessica Chastain – as Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Age: 45
Previously Best Known For:
Zero Dark Thirty
The Help
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2013 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role – as Maya in Zero Dark Thirty
2012 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – as Celia Foote in The Help
Interesting Fact: For her performance in Crimson Peak she learned the piano and performed all songs in the movie by herself.
Olivia Colman – as Leda in The Lost Daughter
Age: 48
Previously Best Known For:
The Favourite
The Father
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2021 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – as Anne in The Father
2019 – Won – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Queen Anne in The Favourite
Interesting Fact: The only person to win BAFTA TV Awards in three different categories (Actress, Comedy Actress, and Supporting Actress).
Kristen Stewart – as Diana in Spencer
Age: 31
Previously Best Known For:
The Twilight Franchise
Snow White and the Huntsman
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: Is one of only 2 American actors to win a Cesar Award in France, the French equivalent to the Oscar. The other American is Adrian Brody.
Nicole Kidman – as Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos
Age: 54
Previously Best Known For:
Moulin Rouge!
The Others
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2017 – Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – as Sue Brierly in Lion
2011 – Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Becca in Rabbit Hole
2003 – Winner – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Virginia Woolf in The Others
2003 – Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Satine in Moulin Rouge!
Interesting Fact: Although naturally left handed, she taught herself to write right-handed for her role in The Hours as the right-handed author Virgina Woolf.
Penelope Cruz – as Janis Martínez Moreno in Parallel Mothers
Age: 47
Previously Best Known For:
Volver
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2010 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – as Carla in Nine
2009 – Winner – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Maria Elena in Vicky Christina Barcelona
2007 – Nominated – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Raimunda in Volver
Interesting Fact: After filming All the Pretty Horses she became a vegetarian.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR NOMINEES
Troy Kotsur as Frank Rossi in CODA
Age: 53
Previously Best Known For:
The Number 23
Wild Prairie Rose
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: For his role as a Tuscan Raider in The Mandalorian he developed his own sign language.
Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon in The Power of the Dog
Age: 25
Previously Best Known For:
Let Me In
The Road
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: Due to a degenerative form of arthritis he is blind in his left eye.
J.K. Simmons as William Frawley in Being the Ricardos
Age: 67
Previously Best Known For:
Whiplash
Juno
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2015 – Winner – Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, as Fletcher in Whiplash
Interesting Fact: One of the most well-established character actors of his generation, he has appeared in over 200 film and television roles since his debut in 1986.
Ciaran Hinds as Pop in Belfast
Age: 69
Previously Best Known For:
There Will Be Blood
Munich
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: As a stage actor, Hinds has enjoyed spells with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre in London and six seasons with Glasgow Citizens’ Theatre.
Jesse Plemons as in The Power of the Dog
Age: 33
Previously Best Known For:
Gamenight
Judas and the Black Messiah
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: He got his start in a Coca Cola commercial when he was 3-½ years old.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEES
Kristen Dunst as Rose Gordon in The Power of the Dog
Age: 39
Previously Best Known For:
Spider-Man
Marie Antoinette
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: Her nickname is Kiki as when she was a child she could not pronounce Kirsten. She then provided the voice of Kiki in the English dubbing of the Miyazaki animated feature, Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989).
Ariana DeBose as Anita in West Side Story
Age: 31
Previously Best Known For:
Hamilton
The Prom
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: In 2006 she won a contest to provide dance moves to Fergie’s “London Bridge”. As winner of the contest she received $15,000, Cold Stone Ice Cream for life, and a chance to meet Fergie.
Jessie Buckley as Young Leda in The Lost Daughter
Age: 32
Previously Best Known For:
I’m Thinking of Ending Things
Wild Rose
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: A classically trained actress, she attended an all-girls Secondary School where she would often perform the male roles in plays, including the role of Tony in West Side Story.
Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene ‘Brandy’ Williams in King Williams
Age: 53
Previously Best Known For:
Men of Honor
Ray
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: Born in San Francisco, but was raised in Mississippi by her grandmother on a farm.
Judi Dench as Ma in Belfast
Age: 87
Previously Best Known For:
James Bond films
Notes on a Scandal
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2014 – Nominee – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Philomena Lee in Philomena
2007 – Nominee – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Barbara Covett in Notes on a Scandal
2006 – Nominee – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Mrs. Laura Henderson in Mrs. Henderson Presents
2002 – Nominee – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Iris Murdoch in Iris
2001 – Nominee – Best Actress in a Leading Role – as Armande Voizin Chocolat
1999 – Winner – Best Actress in a Supporting Role – as Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love
1998 – Nominee – Best Actress in a Leading Role – as Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown
Interesting Fact: Dench is a supporter of Everton Football Club and she has been named as a patron of the soccer team’s official charity “Everton in the Community”.
BEST DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Jane Campion – The Power of the Dog
Age: 67
Previously Best Known For:
The Piano
Bright Star
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
1994 – Nomination – Best Director for The Piano
1994 – Winner – Best Screenplay, Written Directly for the Screen for The Piano
Interesting Fact: First female director nominated for two Best Director Oscars, and each time she has been nominated, Steven Spielberg was nominated the same year.
Ryusuke Hamaguchi – Drive My Car
Age: 43
Previously Best Known For:
Asako I & II
Wheel of Fortune and Fame
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
None
Interesting Fact: Honed his technical skills while filming three documentaries of the destruction and impact on people’s lives of a devastating Tsunami that hit Japan in 2011.
Paul Thomas Anderson – Licorice Pizza
Age: 51
Previously Best Known For:
There Will Be Blood
Boogie Nights
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2014 – Nominated – Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay in 2014 for Inherent Vice
2007 – Nominated – Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay in 2007 for There Will Be Blood
2007 – Nominated – Best Achievement in Directing in 2007 for There Will Be Blood
2007 – Nominated – Best Motion Picture of the Year in 2007 for There Will Be Blood
1999 – Nominated – Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 1999 for Magnolia
1997 – Nominated – Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 1997 for Boogy Nights
Interesting Fact: He is the only Director to win a best director prize at each of the big European film festivals. He won at Cannes for Punch Drunk Love, at Berlin for There Will be Blood, and at Venice for The Master.
Kenneth Branagh – Belfast
Age: 61
Previously Best Known For:
Hamlet
Much Ado About Nothing
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2012 – Nominee – Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – as My Week With Marilyn
1997 – Nominee – Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published – Hamlet
1993 – Nominee – Best Short Film, Live Action – Swan Song
1990 – Nominee – Best Actor in a Leading Role – Henry V
1990 – Nominee – Best Director – Henry V
Interesting Fact: At age 23, he became the youngest actor in the Royal Shakespeare Company to ever play the lead in Shakespeare’s “Henry V”.
Steven Spielberg – West Side Story
Age: 75
Previously Best Known For:
Indiana Jones
Jurassic Park
Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:
2018 – Nominee – Best Motion Picture for The Post
2016 – Nominee – Best Motion Picture for Bridge of Spies
2013 – Nominee – Best Motion Picture for Lincoln
2013 – Nominee – Best Achievement in Directing for Lincoln
2012 – Nominee – Best Motion Picture for War Horse
2007 – Nominee – Best Motion Picture for Letters from Iwo Jima
2006 – Nominee – Best Achievement in Directing for Munich
1999 – Winner – Best Director for Saving Private Ryan
1999 – Nominee – Best Picture for Saving Private Ryan
1994 – Winner – Best Picture for Schindler’s List
1994 – Winner – Best Director for Schindler’s List
1987 – Winner – Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
1986 – Nominee – Best Picture for The Color Purple
1983 – Nominee – Best Picture for E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
1983 – Nominee – Best Director for E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
1982 – Nominee – Best Director for Raiders of the Lost Ark
1978 – Nominee – Best Director for Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Interesting Fact: Often casts actors for their performances in other works. Very rarely requires auditions for major roles.
