It’s quite a sensation seeing someone achieve massive success at a young age, making many feel a bit old and unsuccessful. Take a breath, reminisce on your own achievements pre-30, and then explore this list of actors who snagged an before hitting 30.
Adrien Brody
Adrien Brody holds the unique distinction of being the sole actor to have won the Best Actor award before the age of 30. Among the fifty or so actors who have achieved similar accolades, he stands as the only one in the Best Actor category, securing this honor for his performance in “The Pianist.” Notably, Brody clinched this prestigious award just a mere couple of weeks before reaching the age of 30.
Reese Witherspoon
Witherspoon was on the brink of surpassing the age threshold when she received recognition for her role in “Walk the Line.” Renowned for her performances in “Legally Blonde” and “Election” during her earlier career, Witherspoon earned her Oscar portraying June Carter Cash opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Johnny Cash in the biopic of the legendary Man in Black.
Judy Holliday
Despite winning for the film “Born Yesterday,” Holliday had not been born on the eve of her Best Actress win. She was actually born 29 years and 281 days earlier. Her performance in this George Cukor dramedy remains Holliday’s most memorable work, followed by her later Tony win before her unfortunate passing at the age of 43.
Natalie Portman
Portman had garnered acclaim as an actress since her younger years, making her Oscar win at 29 seem long-awaited. Her exceptional portrayal in the intense film “Black Swan” earned her the award, showcasing an impressive physical performance despite not executing all the ballet scenes herself.
Ginger Rogers
While recognized for her musical roles and dances with Fred Astaire, Rogers was more than a dancer—her acting prowess earned her the Best Actress award for the dramatic film “Kitty Foyle.”
Ingrid Bergman
You might be familiar with the term “gaslighting” in recent times. Its origin traces back to the play and subsequent movie “Gaslight.” In this film, Bergman portrayed the victim of manipulation, earning her the first of her two Oscars.
Julie Andrews
Andrews famously missed out on the role of Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady,” which went to Audrey Hepburn, despite not doing her own singing. However, Andrews found success starring in “Mary Poppins.” The answer to who won the Oscar between the two is right here, and you’re reading it!
Jodie Foster
Imagine feeling inadequate. Foster secured not just one but TWO Best Actress awards before hitting 30. Her initial victory for “The Accused” happened at 26, followed by another win at 29 for her portrayal of Clarice Starling in “Silence of the Lambs.”
Elizabeth Taylor
This doesn’t come as a shock considering Taylor’s status as Hollywood royalty. Despite her private life overshadowing her acting career, she clinched two Best Actress awards. Her initial win was for the movie “BUtterfield 8.” Yes, it’s stylized with the ‘BU’ in capitals.
Charlize Theron
The buzz around Theron’s role in “Monster” focused on her transformation from a glamorous movie star to a gritty character in this harsh film. That took attention away from the fact that she was just 28 when she secured her Best Actress award. While she later returned to glamorous roles, Theron’s dedication post-“Monster” proved she’s willing to dive into challenging characters.
Emma Stone
This could be the first time on the list where you might have guessed the winner was younger than her actual age. Stone clinched her victory for “La La Land” at 28, making her older than several other winners. Notably, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced “La La Land” as Best Picture due to an error with the card, sparking the “La La Land” vs. “Moonlight” mix-up.
Norma Shearer
Shearer emerged as a prominent Hollywood figure, excelling in an era preceding the production code. This allowed films like “The Divorcee” to tackle themes of infidelity and alcoholism boldly in 1930. While part of a quartet of star-crossed lovers, Shearer stood out as the only one to receive acclaim and awards for her performance.
Luise Rainer
Rainer achieved a remarkable feat by securing two Best Actress awards consecutively before reaching 30. Her first win came for “The Great Ziegfeld,” followed by another triumph the following year for “The Good Earth.” It’s a significant piece of history accomplished by a single actress.
Joanne Woodward
Woodward enjoyed an illustrious Hollywood career, earning nominations for four Oscars, 10 Golden Globes, and nine Emmys. Despite numerous accolades, she secured just one Oscar, a memorable win for her captivating portrayal in “The Three Faces of Eve.” In this film, Woodward delivers a compelling performance as a woman grappling with dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder.
Bette Davis
Davis had a lengthy and at times tumultuous career, highlighted by her remarkable performance in the TV show “Feud: Betty and Joan.” While many of her iconic roles emerged in later years, Davis was a force to be reckoned with from her youth, clinching her initial Best Actress award just before her 28th birthday.
Sophia Loren
Loren’s Oscar victory for “Two Women” was significant for various reasons, notably for winning in a non-English role, marking the first instance of such an achievement. Her profoundly emotional performance was delivered in her native Italian.
Liza Minnelli
Before turning 30, Judy Garland hadn’t claimed an Oscar, despite having the potential to do so. However, Liza Minnelli secured her own Academy Award with her role in “Cabaret,” whereas Joel Grey, who won Best Supporting Actor, was already past 30.
Barbra Streisand
Streisand technically shared the Best Actress award, yet her win for “Funny Girl” remains a significant achievement. Babs, on the brink of superstardom, secured her Oscar at nearly 27 years old.
Katharine Hepburn
Hepburn’s talent earned her four Best Actress Oscars over her career. While we often recall her later wins, portraying an aging and regal persona, her first victory arrived at 26 for “Morning Glory.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
There was a buzz surrounding Paltrow’s win for Best Actress in “Shakespeare in Love,” especially during the film’s acclaimed Oscars night when it secured Best Picture over “Saving Private Ryan.” Despite the debates, Paltrow emerged victorious, triumphing over renowned actresses like Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep.
Brie Larson
As Larson approaches 30, her prospects for another Oscar before the milestone may be slim. Nevertheless, with her role as Captain Marvel and an Oscar win for “Room,” Larson’s career journey so far leaves little room for critique.
Vivien Leigh
You likely recall Leigh’s iconic Best Actress role in “Gone With The Wind” as Scarlett O’Hara, right? Adjusted for inflation, the film remains the highest-grossing movie of all time, a fact that’s hard to forget.
Hillary Swank
We’ve reached actresses who clinched Best Actress at 25. Swank earned two awards, the first for her powerful portrayal in “Boys Don’t Cry.” Quite the leap from “The Next Karate Kid.”
Grace Kelly
Kelly was the height of glamour and movie stardom during her career. Then she became a straight-up princess when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco. Of course, she then died a tragic death, but she got a lot of life in before that. This includes winning an Oscar for “The Country Girl,” which also starred Bing Crosby and William Holden.
Julie Christie
The film “Darling” had a short shelf life and may not be familiar to many, even among movie enthusiasts. However, it was well-received and secured the Best Original Screenplay award, also earning Christie a Best Actress victory.
Jennifer Jones
What a remarkable birthday present it was for Jones—she secured her Best Actress award on her 25th birthday in 1944 for her role in “The Song of Bernadette.” Despite facing mental health challenges that affected her career and personal life, Jones later emerged as a mental health advocate.
Audrey Hepburn
Hepburn was later surpassed by Julie Andrews in her career, but she didn’t have much reason to be disheartened. Having already secured a Best Actress award for “Roman Holiday” at the age of 24, Hepburn’s acting prowess was undeniable, even if she couldn’t sing like Andrews.
Joan Fontaine
Alfred Hitchcock never clinched the Best Director title, yet his films earned numerous Oscars for various talents. Joan Fontaine secured an Oscar for her role in Hitchcock’s “Suspicion.” Despite her early 20s win alongside Cary Grant, Fontaine continued to grace the screen for several more decades, living until the age of 96.
Janet Gaynor
The earlier editions of the Academy Awards had some quirks. Gaynor managed to secure the Best Actress title for performances in three different films. Notably, she was 22 when she won, holding the record as the youngest winner for 59 years.
Jennifer Lawrence
Lawrence consistently lands roles that typically go to older actresses, thanks to Hollywood’s inclination toward ingenue characters, particularly from directors like David O. Russell. This preference contributed to Lawrence winning an Oscar for “Silver Linings Playbook” when she was just 22.
Marlee Matlin
Here we have the youngest Best Actress winner, Matlin, at only 21 when she triumphed for “Children of a Lesser God.” This achievement is significant as Matlin, who is deaf, became the first deaf individual in a leading movie role since 1926. It wasn’t mere stunt casting; her exceptional performance rightly earned her the Oscar.
Heath Ledger
Moving on to Best Supporting Actor, where there have been more than a few winners under 30—four to be exact. It’s curious how Hollywood values youth in women and maturity in men. Ledger’s posthumous win for his portrayal of the Joker in “The Dark Knight” was undoubtedly bittersweet.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Gooding’s Hollywood career skyrocketed after his standout performance in 1996’s “Jerry Maguire.” Though he later ventured into critically panned comedies, this role made him a star and certainly proved lucrative by the age of 29.
George Chakiris
Indeed, Chakiris, a Greek actor, portrayed a Puerto Rican character in “West Side Story,” highlighting the complexities of Old Hollywood’s practices, which persist today. However, his compelling performance as Bernardo in the iconic musical earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the age of 27.
Timothy Hutton
The leap from Chakiris to Hutton is quite significant. When Hutton clinched the Best Supporting Actor award for “Ordinary People,” he was a mere 20 years old, marking him as the youngest male to win an acting Oscar by a considerable margin. Navigating a career after such early success can be challenging, and while Hutton didn’t reach those heights again, he did enjoy a stint starring in the TV show “Leverage” for some time.
Sandy Dennis
When reflecting on “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton often take the spotlight as the leading and contentious couple. Yet, it’s essential not to overlook the actors portraying the younger couple in the film, such as Dennis, who secured the Best Supporting Actress award at the age of 29.
Kim Hunter
When considering “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh often take the spotlight. However, Hunter, portraying Stella – yes, THAT Stella, earned an Oscar for her performance.
Gloria Grahame
For years, Hollywood has favored movies about itself, as seen in “The Bad and the Beautiful,” depicting a film producer’s turbulent relationships. Despite missing Best Picture or Best Director nominations, the film triumphed with five out of six Oscar nods, including Grahame’s win for her role as the doomed spouse of fictional screenwriter James Lee Bartlow.
Miyoshi Umeki
“Sayonara” might not rank among Marlon Brando’s most acclaimed films, but it holds significance. Umeki earned the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance, marking the first time an Asian woman received an Oscar for acting—a distinction unmatched to this day.
Mira Sorvino
Few actors garner recognition in Woody Allen films nowadays. While Cate Blanchett earned acclaim for “Blue Jasmine,” many performances remain overlooked. However, a young Sorvino secured a win for “Mighty Aphrodite,” despite the film not being regarded among Allen’s finest.
Marisa Tomei
Let’s clarify: Tomei’s win wasn’t a fluke; it stemmed from her compelling portrayal in “My Cousin Vinny,” captivating the voters much like her character captivated Vinny himself. Her comedic prowess shone through in a genre that rarely earns Oscars, perhaps contributing to the surprise around her victory.
Mary Steenburgen
Steenburgen’s career is thriving! With recent appearances on several TV shows showcasing her incredible talent, her skill was evident early on. She clinched an Oscar for “Melvin and Howard” in 1981. While Ted Danson boasts numerous Emmys, Steenburgen stands out in their duo with an Academy Award.
Alicia Vikander
Vikander shone brightest portraying a robot with human intellect in “Ex Machina,” yet it wasn’t this role that earned her an Oscar. At 27, she secured the award for “The Danish Girl.” With her career still in its early stages, Vikander has much more ahead. Additionally, her take on the “Tomb Raider” movie proved surprisingly enjoyable.
Shirley Jones
Jones gained fame as the matriarch in “The Partridge Family,” fitting for someone who appeared in numerous musicals. Surprisingly, her Oscar win came from the drama “Elmer Gantry,” where she portrayed a sex worker, reshaping her Hollywood image.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson didn’t clinch victory on “American Idol,” but her star power eclipsed that of the actual winner from her season. Her captivating performance in “Dreamgirls” secured her the Best Supporting Actress award, largely for the impact of one outstanding song.
Angelina Jolie
Jolie’s extensive acting career began in her early twenties, and she secured an Oscar at just 24 for her role in “Girl, Interrupted.” While later transitioning from supporting to leading roles and eventually venturing into directing, she left a significant mark through performances like this—amidst the intriguing aspects of her personal life.
Goldie Hawn
Hawn’s early reputation as a comedic actress on “Laugh-In” led to roles often typecast as the bubbly, naive blonde in comedies. However, her performance in “Cactus Flower,” despite being a comedy, demonstrated Hawn’s substantial acting talent, ultimately earning her an Oscar.
Teresa Wright
Wright didn’t portray the lead role in “Mrs. Miniver,” which earned Greer Garson the Best Actress award. Despite this, the 24-year-old Wright left a lasting impression on audiences and earned the Best Supporting Actress trophy for her performance.
Anne Baxter
Baxter enjoyed a lengthy career that even involved portraying villains on the ’60s “Batman” TV series, attempting to take down Adam West and Burt Ward. Although “All About Eve” remains her most renowned film, she received a nomination but didn’t secure a win for it. Instead, she earned her sole Oscar for “The Razor’s Edge.”
Patty Duke
Now, we’ve reached the segment where young actors claimed Oscars—actual teenagers. Duke, merely 16, portrayed Helen Keller in “The Miracle Worker.” It’s astounding that someone so young earned an acting Oscar. What’s even more striking is that two different Best Supporting Actress winners were even younger.
Anna Paquin
“The Piano” was a hard-hitting film that captivated Oscar voters. Alongside Holly Hunter’s Best Actress win, Paquin secured Best Supporting Actress, a remarkable feat at the age of 11. Paquin has since continued her acting career, starring in the “X-Men” series as Rogue and featuring in “True Blood.”
Tatum O’Neal
Finally, we reach the youngest Oscar recipient in history. At just 10 years old, O’Neal clinched the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in “Paper Moon,” sharing the screen with her father, actor Ryan O’Neal. However, like many child stars, O’Neal faced challenges that impacted her future despite her early Oscar success, highlighting the complexities of fame at a young age.