An Academy Award, orOscar, is one of the most sought-after accolades for anyone involved in making a movie. Many dream of securing a nomination and possibly, if they dare to dream bigger, winning. Each year, the competition throughoutawards seasonis fierce, and even some of the most talented, experienced actors go their entire careers without receiving a single one. For others, it can take decades of grinding, the right project, and, of course, a little bit of luck.
Then, there are the newbies, fresh on the scene, who not only shock the entertainment industry with not only a nomination, but also a win. It’s scary to try something new, so even though some of these actors had prior acting experience, whether on the stage or for television, tackling film was uncharted territory. And yet, with all the pressure placed on them to perform at a high caliber, they managed to deliver exceptional performances. Here are 15 actors who won an Oscar for their very first film role.
15Shirley Booth — Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)
Shirley Boothplayed Lola Delaney in the theater playCome Back, Little Shebaand later reprised the role in her film debut. The story follows a man named Doc who suffers from alcoholism. He and his wife Lola didn’t have a great start to their relationship. An unexpected pregnancy led him to drop out of college, followed by a miscarriage and news that Lola wouldn’t be able to bear children. Lola is depressed about the distance between her and her husband, as well as her lost dog Sheba. But when a college student moves into their spare bedroom, it shakes up their marriage and lives.
Won the Oscar for Best Actress
Shirley Booth was an actress who got herstart on Broadway, where she gave many highly-praised performances. One of her first theater roles dates back to 1925, and she was a consistent force in that world for years. Being familiar with the material and having experience onstage surely helped, but the mediums are different, and Booth excelled in both. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the glum and lonely Lola.Rent on Apple TV
14Harold Russell — The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
The Best Years of Our Livesis a war drama following the aftermath of World War II through the lens of three men who served in the U.S. Army. They didn’t fight alongside each other, but met when they were heading back to their hometown in the Midwest. Fred Derry was a bomb airer captain, Homer Parrish was a petty captain in the Navy, and Al Stephenson was a sergeant. Coming from very different backgrounds and fighting in different branches may distinguish them, but they each struggle to reintegrate back into life and manage their PTSD.
Won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor
Two of the three lead men were seasoned actors, butHarold Russellwas a new kid on the block. However, he had intimate knowledge of the world this film inhabited, as he was a World War II veteran himself, who lost his hands in service — just like his character Homer Parrish. Russell was featured in a U.S.-government-backed short film about the army in 1945, butThe Best Years of Our Liveswas his true film debut. The authenticity he brought to the role could be felt, and he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.Stream on Prime Video
13Jennifer Hudson — Dreamgirls (2006)
Dreamgirlsis a musical drama based on a Broadway play. Set in 1960s Detroit, an all-Black girl group called The Dreamettes pique the interest of a car salesman named Curtis. He’s impressed by Effie White, the lead singer, and her two backup singers. Curtis makes it his mission to catapult the group to superstardom and the film follows the highs and lows of their career. Actress and singerJennifer Hudsonstunned in the role of Effie.
Won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress
Hudson wasn’t unknown when she stepped onto theDreamgirlsset. She was a contestant on the third season ofAmerican Idoland shocked the country when she only placed seventh. But getting to the top three wasn’t necessary, as she became one of themost successful contestantsof all time. Still, standing out with co-stars like Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé was no easy feat. And yet Hudson’s moments are some of the most memorable from the movie. The Academy thought so, too, and Hudson walked away with the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.Stream on Paramount+
Related:Dreamgirls: Best Musical Performances in the Movie, Ranked
12Gale Sondergaard — Anthony Adverse (1936)
Gale Sondergaardwas another actor who dabbled in theater before shifting to the big screen. Her break into the film world came in 1936 with the historical dramaAnthony Adverse. It takes place during the Napoleon age and revolves around a man named Anthony. He had a rocky start to life, having been abandoned at a convent as a baby after his mother died in childbirth. Years later, he manages to find love with someone named Angela, but that too ends in heartbreak as she seemingly abandons him.
While the film primarily centers on Anthony and Angela, plenty of screen time is given to the character Faith Paleologus, played by Sondergaard. Faith is the housekeeper to Anthony’s boss and secret grandfather. Her win at the 9th Academy Awards is notable for more than being her film debut. It was also the first time the ceremony recognized talent in the Best Supporting Actor andBest Supporting Actresscategories, with Sondergaard winning the latter.Stream on Watch TCM
11Mercedes McCambridge — All the King’s Men (1949)
Mercedes McCambridgehad quite an eclectic acting career. She started in the lost art of radio acting, shifted to Broadway, and had several television roles under her belt. McCambridge appeared in an episode of the popular seriesBewitched. Later in her career, she received attention for her voice work as the demon in the 1973 horror filmThe Exorcist. But before the impressive film career to come, she debuted in the political dramaAll the King’s Men.
The movie is about a politician named Willie Stark running for county treasurer in the South. He loses due to corruption, but doesn’t let that derail him. Willie earns a law degree and takes on causes to help regain favor. Sadie Burke, played by McCambridge, is an associate helping him on his next campaign for office. McCambridge certainly didn’t look green in her portrayal of this smart and mysterious lady. The film was nominated for seven Oscars and won three, including hers for Best Supporting Actress.Rent on Apple TV
10Barbra Streisand — Funny Girl (1968)
Today,Barbra Streisandis one of the most prolific talents in Hollywood. Checking off multiple acting achievements isn’t enough. She’s also a respected singer, songwriter, and filmmaker. A select handful of performersare EGOT winners— Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony — and Streisand is one of them. With such an extensive resumé, it’s easy to forget that even the greats had to get their launch somewhere. For her, it wasFunny Girl.
The biographical musical is about the life of comedian Fanny Brice. She ignores her family discouraging her from a career in showbiz and secures a vaudeville job. As she’s trying to gain momentum in her career, she meets a charismatic con artist, and the two fall in love. Streisand played Fanny and used her singing chops to wow audiences. Despite her inexperience in film acting, it would be hard to imagine anyone else in the role.Funny Girlwas a hit upon release, and Streisand took home the Best Actress award for her contribution.Stream on Prime Video
Related:This Is Why 1968 Was the Most Radical Year in Cinema
9Jo Van Fleet — East of Eden (1955)
East of Edenis a historical drama based on a John Steinbeck novel. Caleb and Aron are brothers living in Salinas Valley with their father in 1917. Their father is very religious and where Aron is the responsible one, Caleb is more adrift. The film follows Caleb’s journey to discovering his place in the world and where his father’s approval fits in with that. Along the way, we meet Kate, the boys’ mother who they were made to believe was dead, but actually runs a brothel.
Jo Van Fleetwas a film actress by way of Broadway. She worked for a number of years and then hit a string of successes right after another. In 1954, she won a Tony for her role in the playThe Trip to Bountifuland the following year won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress inEast of Eden. Though her career shifted more toward television after this, she is still largely remembered for her nuanced portrayal of this complex character.Rent on Apple TV
8Anna Paquin — The Piano (1993)
Anna Paquin’s roles from the early-2000s and onwards are what she’s most recognized for. She played Rogue in fourX-Menfilms between 2000 and 2014, and was also the face of the vampire horror seriesTrue Blood. Her portrayal of Sookie Stackhouse earned her numerous awards and endless compliments from fans of the show. The film, however, that helped put her on the map wasThe Piano, a historical drama set in the 1800s, about a mute woman in an arranged marriage who has to move to New Zealand.
Paquin played Flora McGrath, the daughter of the bride-to-be. Flora helps her mom communicate by interpreting her sign language and piano playing. Paquin was just 11 years old when she was nominated for and won Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars. As of this writing, she is the second-youngest recipient of an Oscar. Don’t think they gave her the award to be nice: Paquin brought a masterful level of vulnerability and sincerity to the role, impressive for any actor, let alone one not even in their teenage years.
7Katina Paxinou — For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)
For Whom the Bell Tollsis anintense war filmadapted from a novel by Ernest Hemingway. Robert Jordan is a teacher who lived in Spain before the Civil War caused great unrest. Now, he’s back to fight against Francisco Franco and the fascists as part of the International Brigades. One of his assignments is to use dynamite to blow up a bridge their enemies use as transport. Among the guerrillas aiding him is a young woman named Maria, whom he falls for.
The love story between Robert and Maria is beautiful and sweeping like most classic war stories, but it wasn’t the only amazing element of the film. Greek actressKatina Paxinoudebuted as Pilar, the wife of one of the guerrilla leaders. Her involvement was crucial to the success of Jordan’s various missions.For Whom the Bell Tollswas nominated in all four acting categories, but only Paxinou won for Best Supporting Actress. Unfortunately, this was her first and largest role, and she didn’t make a lasting impact in the film world.Rent on Prime Video
Related:20 Biggest Movie Stars of the 1940s
6Eva Marie Saint — On the Waterfront (1954)
Some actors debut in small, indie films without much buzz around them.Eva Marie Saintcame on the map inOn the Waterfrontstarring icon Marlon Brando. The film revolves around a dockworker named Terry (Brando), who used to be a boxer, but ended his career when he threw a fight at the orders of a mob boss. When he unknowingly lures a man to his death at the hands of the mob, Terry knows things have to change. Edie Doyle is the sister of the murdered man who desperately seeks answers and justice for her brother.
Thankfully, filmmakers who are willing to take a chance on inexperienced actors exist. Before Saint was cast as Edie inOn the Waterfront, she just had a few small television appearances and theater work under her belt. Since the 12-time nominated film, she went on to work with other Golden Age starlets like Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant. Saint won Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Edie.Rent on Apple TV
