Oscar 2024 – Recognizing Veteran Talent in the Best Supporting Actress Category
The accolade for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars is frequently bestowed upon emerging talents, exemplified by the likes of 2022’s winner, Ariana DeBose from “West Side Story.” Nevertheless, it also serves as a platform to honor seasoned performers, as seen with Jamie Lee Curtis clinching her first Oscar at the age of 64 in 2023 for her outstanding role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” In 2021, Youn Yuh-jung, celebrated in her native South Korea, secured the award at 73 for her debut English film, “Minari.” The trend continued in 2020 when Laura Dern, a past nominee, finally claimed the Oscar for her remarkable performance in “Marriage Story.”
Strategic Campaigning in the Best Supporting Actress Race
In the realm of strategic campaigning, we witness instances where nominees like Florence Pugh and Margot Robbie, who could have easily submitted themselves in the lead category for “Little Women” and “Bombshell,” respectively, opted to campaign alongside their co-stars, Saoirse Ronan and Charlize Theron, in the Best Actress race. This proved to be a triumphant strategy, resulting in all four securing Oscar nominations.
Navigating Lead and Supporting Roles: Oscars’ Dynamic Trends
The dynamics of lead and supporting roles play a pivotal role in Oscars history. In 2019, actresses Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, both prior Oscar winners, chose to step aside from lead contention for “The Favourite,” allowing co-star Olivia Colman to bag the Best Actress Oscar. Weisz herself was the de facto leading lady in her winning film, aligning with recent trends seen with Best Supporting Actress winners Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk,” 2019), Viola Davis (“Fences,” 2017), Alicia Vikander (“The Danish Girl,” 2016), and Patricia Arquette (“Boyhood,” 2015).
Age Dynamics: Best Actress vs. Supporting Actress
Age dynamics in the Oscar race reveal intriguing patterns. While 34 Best Actress winners have been in their thirties, only 27 of the supporting actress champs fall in the same age bracket. Moreover, the 40s seem to be a sweet spot for supporting actresses, with 24 winners compared to 16 in the Best Actress category. Notably, six Best Actress victors were in their 60s, while supporting actresses in their 50s, exemplified by Laura Dern and Allison Janney (“I, Tonya,” 2018), number at eight.
Unveiling the 2024 Oscars: Leading Contenders
As we gear up for the 2024 Oscars, the Best Supporting Actress category boasts a lineup of leading contenders and strong competitors. Noteworthy names include Emily Blunt in “Oppenheimer,” Danielle Brooks in “The Color Purple,” and Viola Davis in “Air,” among others. These actresses stand out as potential frontrunners, promising an intense competition for the coveted Oscar.
Leading Contenders:
- Emily Blunt in “Oppenheimer” (Universal)
- Danielle Brooks in “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros.)
- Viola Davis in “Air” (Amazon Studios)
- America Ferrera in “Barbie” (Warner Bros.)
- Jodie Foster in “Nyad” (Netflix)
- Lily Gladstone in “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple/Paramount)
- Julianne Moore in “May December” (Netflix)
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph in “The Holdovers” (Focus Features)
- Rosamund Pike in “Saltburn” (Amazon)
Strong Contenders:
- Penélope Cruz in “Ferrari” (Neon)
- Claire Foy in “All of Us Strangers” (Searchlight)
- Taraji P. Henson in “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros.)
- Vanessa Kirby in “Napoleon” (Apple/Sony)
- Sandra Hüller in “The Zone of Interest” (A24)
- Rachel McAdams in “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” (Lionsgate)
- Margaret Qualley in “Poor Things” (Searchlight)
- Tilda Swinton in “The Killer” (Netflix)
- Maura Tierney in “The Iron Claw” (A24)
Possible Contenders:
- Dagmara Dominczyk in “Priscilla” (A24)
- Maya Hawke in “Maestro” (Netflix)
- Kathryn Hunter in “Poor Things” (Searchlight)
- Patti LuPone in “Beau is Afraid” (A24)
- Audra McDonald in “Rustin” (Netflix)
- Moon Seung-ah in “Past Lives” (A24)
- Celia Weston in “A Little Prayer” (SPC)
Stay tuned as the Oscar race unfolds, showcasing the diversity and talent within the Best Supporting Actress category. The excitement is palpable, and the 2024 Oscars promise to be a celebration of exceptional performances and cinematic achievements. Keep updated with the latest developments as we approach the highly anticipated awards ceremony.
Article Updated: December 30, 2023
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