The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are annual awards given to recognize excellence in the film industry. Each year, a plethora of invited guests gather to honor the greatest achievements in film, including performances by some of the biggest names in the industry. Each year, there are several actors who receive their first nomination at the awards. Some of these actors become star overnight and some of them go on to become one of the most revered actors of their generation. In this article, we will take a look at some of the remarkable actors who received their first nomination from the Academy.
Natalie Portman – Best Actress for Black Swan in 2011
Natalie Portman is one of the most critically acclaimed actresses of her generation. She made her big-screen debut in 1994 in the film “The Professional” and went on to appear in a number of notable films. In 2011, she was nominated for her performance in the psychological thriller “Black Swan.” She won the Oscar for Best Actress and became the youngest winner ever in the category.
Charlize Theron – Best Actress for Monster in 2004
Charlize Theron is an actress from South Africa who has established herself as one of the most respected actresses in the business. She first gained notoriety for her portrayal of real-life serial killer Aileen Wuomos in the biopic “Monster” in 2004. For her performance, she was nominated for Best Actress and went on to win the award, making her the first South African performer to win an Oscar.
Benicio Del Toro – Best Supporting Actor for Traffic in 2001
Benicio Del Toro is an actor from Puerto Rico who has made a name for himself in films such as “Snatch” and “The Usual Suspects.” He received his first nomination at the Academy Awards in 2001 for his performance in the acclaimed drama “Traffic.” He won the award for Best Supporting Actor and became the first Puerto Rican-born actor to be recognized by the Academy.
Marion Cotillard – Best Actress for La Vie en Rose in 2008
Marion Cotillard is a French actress who has made a name for herself in such films as “Inception” and “The Dark Knight Rises.” She received her first nomination at the Academy Awards in 2008 for her performance in the biopic “La Vie en Rose.” She won the Oscar for Best Actress and became the first female French-born actor to win an Oscar in this category.
Heath Ledger – Best Supporting Actor for The Dark Knight in 2009
Heath Ledger was an Australian actor who had risen to stardom with such films as “The Patriot” and “Brokeback Mountain.” His performance as the Joker in the Batman film The Dark Knight earned him accolades and his first nomination at the Academy Awards in 2009. He won the award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the second non-American actor and the first Australian actor to win this category.
Adrien Brody – Best Actor for The Pianist in 2003
Adrien Brody is an actor from the United States who has made a name for himself in films such as “Predators” and “King Kong.” He received his first nomination from the Academy Awards in 2003 for his portrayal of a Jewish musician during the Nazi occupation in the film “The Pianist.” He won the Oscar for Best Actor and became the youngest actor ever to win the category.
Saoirse Ronan – Best Actress for Brooklyn in 2016
Saoirse Ronan is a young Irish actress who has made a name for herself in films like “Atonement” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” In 2016, she was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in the romantic drama “Brooklyn.” She lost the award that year but soon received her first Oscar in 2018 for her performance in “Lady Bird.”
Michael Clarke Duncan – Best Supporting Actor for The Green Mile in 1999
Michael Clarke Duncan was an actor from the United States who made his Hollywood debut in 1998 in the romantic comedy “Armageddon.” He received his first Academy Award nomination in 1999 for his role in the touching drama “The Green Mile.” He won the award for Best Supporting Actor and became the first African-American actor to win this award in the 21st century.
Melissa McCarthy – Best Supporting Actress for Bridesmaid in 2011
Melissa McCarthy is an actress from the United States who has established herself as one of the funniest actresses in the business. She received her first nomination from the Academy Awards in 2011 for her performance in the hit comedy “Bridesmaids.” She lost the award that year but went on to receive multiple nominations in the future.
Kate Winslet – Best Actress for The Reader in 2009
Kate Winslet is an English actress who gained notoriety for her performance in the romantic drama Titanic. She went on to establish herself as one of the most critically acclaimed actresses of her generation. She received her first nomination from the Academy Awards in 2009 for her performance in the drama “The Reader.” She won the Oscar for Best Actress and became the youngest actor to win the award that year.
The Academy Awards are one of the most prestigious award shows in the entertainment industry. Each year, a number of aspiring actors are nominated for their performances. Many of them, such as Natalie Portman and Charlize Theron, go on to become some of the biggest names in the business. Others become revered performers despite never receiving another nomination. This list includes some of the most notable first-time nominees who blew the audience away with their performances.
