Cinelinx 2023 Oscars Previews – Part 2

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 95th Academy Awards ceremony will take place Sunday, March 12th.

Click here for Part 1 of our Oscars Coverage!


BEST ACTOR NOMINEES


Brendan Fraser – as Charlie in The Whale

Age: 54

Previously Best Known For: 

The Mummy (1999)

Encino Man

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: His father was an executive who worked in the travel industry. As a result, his family moved often when he was growing up. He lived in Ohio, Michigan, Ottawa, Holland, and Switzerland. Because of his time growing up in Canada and Europe, he is fluent in French. 


Austin Butler – as Elvis Presley in Elvis

Age: 31

Previously Best Known For: 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

The Dead Don’t Die

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

Interesting Fact: Started working in the industry as a background actor. 


Colin Ferrell – as Pádraic Súilleabháin in The Banshees of Inisherin

Age: 46

Previously Best Known For: 

In Bruges

The Lobster

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Auditioned to become a member of the Irish boy band, Boyzone, but did not win the part. 


Bill Nighy – as Williams in Living

Age: 73

Previously Best Known For: 

Love Actually

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: He played the part of “Sam Gamgee” in the original BBC radio production of The Lord of the Rings alongside Ian Holm as “Frodo”


Paul Mescal – as Calum in Aftersun

Age: 27

Previously Best Known For: 

The Lost Daughter

Normal People

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

Interesting Fact: Paul Mescal was once in a commercial for Denny, a sausage company. The commercial was so popular that Mescal became known as “Sausage Paul”.


BEST ACTRESS NOMINEES


Andrea Riseburough – as Leslie in To Leslie

Age: 41

Previously Best Known For: 

Oblivion

Mandy

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Owns her own all-female production company called Mother-Sucker. 


Michelle Williams – as Mitzi Fabelman in The Fabelmans

Age: 42

Previously Best Known For: 

Blue Valentine

Manchester by the Sea

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

2017 Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – as Randi Chandler in Manchester by the Sea

2012 Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn

2011 Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Cindy in Blue Valentine

Interesting Fact: Collects rare books. One highlight of her collection is a first edition of The Great Gatsby


Cate Blanchett – as Lydia Tár in Tár

Age: 53

Previously Best Known For: 

Elizabeth

Blue Jasmine

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

2016 Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Carol Aird in Carol

2014 Winner – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Jasmine in Blue Jasmine

2008 Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Elizabeth I in Elizabeth: The Golden Age

2008 Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – as Jude in I’m Not There

2007 Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – as Sheba Hart in Notes on a Scandal

2005 Winner – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – as Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator

1999 Nomination – Best Actress in a Leading Role – as Elizabeth I in Elizabeth

Interesting Fact: Was the original ‘Tim-Tam’ girl in the series of commercials promoting the product.


Ana de Armas – as Norma Jeane in Blonde

Age: 34

Previously Best Known For: 

Blade Runner 2049

Knives Out

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: She only spoke Spanish before moving to the USA. When she arrived in Los Angeles, she was so determined to audition for parts that she pushed herself to learn English, which she managed to do within two years.


Michelle Yeoh – as Evelyn in Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

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Age: 60

Previously Best Known For: 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Tomorrow Never Dies

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Won several beauty pageants, including being Crowned Miss Malaysia in 1983.  


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR NOMINEES


Brendan Gleeson – as Colm Doherty in The Banshees of Inisherin

Age: 67

Previously Best Known For: 

In Bruges

Harry Potter franchise

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Plays the fiddle, and has been filmed playing the fiddle in several of his films, including The Banshees of Inisherin. 


Brian Tyree Henry – as James in Causeway

Age: 40

Previously Best Known For: 

If Beale Street Could Talk

Eternals

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Has a Master’s Degree in drama from the Yale School of Drama. 


Judd Hirsch as Uncle Bruno in The Fabelmans

Age: 87

Previously Best Known For: 

Independence Day

Taxi

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

1981 Nominee – Best Actor in a Supporting Role – as Doctor Berger in Ordinary People

Interesting Fact: Did not start acting professionally until he was 36 years old. 


Barry Keoghan as Dominic Kearney in The Banshees of Inisherin

Age: 30

Previously Best Known For:

The Killing of the Sacred Deer

Eternals

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Is an amateur boxer. 


Ke Huy Quan – as Waymond Wong in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Age: 51

Previously Best Known For: 

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

The Goonies

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: His brother was the one actually auditioning for the role of Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Ke Huy just followed his brother along, but the casting people decided to pick him instead.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEES


Angela Bassett – as Ramonda in Black Panther 2: Wikanda Forever

Age: 64

Previously Best Known For: 

Strange Days

What’s Love Got to Do With It

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

1994 Nomination – Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – as Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It

Interesting Fact: Bassett’s line “Right here! Right now!” from Strange Days was sampled as the only ‘lyrics’ used repeatedly in the song “Right Here, Right Now” by Fatboy Slim.


Kerry Condon as Siobhán Súilleabháin in The Banshees of Inisherin

Age: 40

Previously Best Known For: 

Better Call Saul

Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Her family has many connections with horses. Her father was a breeder, her cousin is a jockey, and Condon owns her own ranch in LA which houses rescued horses. 


Jamie Lee Curtis as Deirdre Beaubeirdre in Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

Age: 64

Previously Best Known For: 

Halloween

True Lies

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Saw her future husband Christopher Guest in the issue of Rolling Stone magazine with Cyndi Lauper on the cover. Guest appeared in a promotional photo for the film This Is Spinal Tap in full costume and makeup as a rock star. She fell in love at first sight of the photo and gave her telephone number to his agent.


Stephanie Hsu as Joy/Jobu in Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

Age: 32

Previously Best Known For: 

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Path

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: In elementary school she ran for student council. Her 4th grade Vice Presidential campaign slogan was “Stephanie Hsu is the shoe for you!” Her 5th grade Presidential campaign slogan was “Stephanie Hsu is the shampoo for you!” She won both years 


Hong Chau as Liz in The Whale

Age: 43

Previously Best Known For: 

Downsizing

Watchmen

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Chau was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after fleeing Vietnam in the late 1970s. Her family came to the United States when a Vietnamese Catholic church in New Orleans, Louisiana helped to sponsor Chau and her family.


BEST DIRECTOR NOMINEES


Martin McDonagh for The Banshees of Inisherin

Age: 52

Previously Best Known For: 

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

In Bruges

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

2018 Nominee – Best Motion Picture of the Year – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

2018 Nominee – Best Original Screenplay – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

2009 Nominee – Best Writing, Original Screenplay – In Bruges

2006 Winner – Best Short Film, Live Action – Six Shooter

Interesting Fact: Before making a name for himself in film, McDonagh was a prolific playwright. All his plays except for the Pillowman are based in Ireland and he regards himself as an Anglo-Irish playwright, but he has never lived full time in Ireland.


Todd Field for Tár

Age: 58

Previously Best Known For: 

In the Bedroom

Eyes Wide Shut (as actor)

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

2007 Nominee – Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay – Little Children

2002 Nominee – Best Picture – In the Bedroom

2002 Nominee – Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published – In the Bedroom

Interesting Fact: Despite only directing 3 feature films, Field has directed 6 different actors who were nominated for Oscars in those films: Tom Wilkinson, Sissy Spacek, Marisa Tomei, Kate Winslet, Jackie Earle Haley, and Cate Blanchett.


Ruben Östlund for Triangle of Sadness

Age: 48

Previously Best Known For: 

The Square

Force Majeure

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact:  An avid skier, Östlund directed three ski films that demonstrated his taste for long takes—a technique that remains an important trademark of his work


Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert for Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

Age: 35/35

Previously Best Known For: 

Swiss Army Man

Music Videos

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

None

Interesting Fact: Kwan and Scheinert met in a class learning Autodesk Maya, which is a 3D animation program.


Steven Spielberg for The Fabelmans

Age: 76

Previously Best Known For: 

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

Jurassic Park

Previous Oscar Nominations/Wins:

2022 – Nominee – Best Motion Picture for West Side Story

2022 – Nominee – Best Achievement in Directing for West Side Story

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: His favorite indoor pastimes are watching golf and playing Assasin’s Creed. 


Click here for Part 1 of our Oscars Coverage!

G.S. Perno
G.S. Perno
Managing editor. Fascinated by the history of film. "Film can teach us just as well as it can entertain us, and the things we learn from film can be much more beneficial to our lives than the short-term entertainment we extract from it."

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