The Academy Awards are the pinnacle of cinematic achievement. Some of the greatest actors to grace the screen never receive nominations, let alone wins. To win an award is the highest honor an actor can hope to claim. It famously took Leonardo DiCaprio five nominations and 22 years before he won his first.
Often dominated by more experienced actors and filmmakers, it is particularly impressive to be nominated early on in one's career. Cinema is currently experiencing a wealth of young talent being recognized. The "coming of age'"story is of particular interest, and young actors are thriving under new opportunities given by independent studios and directors. It is surprising then to realize that only 9 actors under the age of 30 have achieved nominations for their roles. It is an even greater shock to realize that none of these talents have garnered Academy Award wins. It cannot be debated, however, that many of these actors have the brightest of futures and win dominate our screens for a number of years.
Abigail Breslin (1 Nomination)
Breslin broke on to the scene, and into our hearts, with her stellar performance in Little Miss Sunshine. One of the greatest and most heartwarming performances given by a child star, Breslin deserved her 2007 Academy Award nomination. She, unfortunately, lost out to Jennifer Hudson in the Supporting Actress category.
Since then, Breslin has dabbled in a variety of differing roles from My Sister's Keeper to Zombieland. Breslin has considerable talent and potential as an actor, however, has never recaptured the magic that she produced in Little Miss Sunshine. Still only 25, she has plenty of time to find her feet and earn more nominations.
Hailee Steinfeld (1 Nomination)
Steinfeld made her feature film debut opposite Jeff Bridges in True Grit. Aged only 13 at the time, Steinfeld stole the show. Her outstanding performance earned her an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Losing out to Melissa Leo for her performance in The Fighter was tough, but ultimately fair.
Steinfeld has had mixed success going forward, and no performance has even hinted at another Academy nod. Finding herself slotting into more comedic roles and exploring her musical career has seen a downturn in award driven opportunities. That being said Steinfeld, like Breslin, is still young and at 24 has the world at her feet.
Quvenzhané Wallis (1 Nomination)
At only 18 years of age, Wallis is the youngest Oscar nominee alive. Wallis also holds the title of being the only person born in the 21st century to have earned a nomination. Wallis was recognized for her performance in Beasts of the Southern Wild.
Another to have been nominated on their feature film debut, Wallis was only 6 when she was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Since Wallis' success has been limited and her only major role has come in the form of Annie, where she played the titular character opposite Jamie Foxx. Another star with a bright future ahead of her, should she wish to take it.
Lucas Hedges (1 Nomination)
It may come as a surprise that Lucas Hedges has only one Academy Award nomination. Hedges has proven his range and ability on countless occasions that it seems as if everything he touches turns to gold. Hedges won his nomination for an astonishing performance in Manchester by the Sea. Whilst many remember the film for Casey Affleck's generational performance, Hedges ably supports the more experienced actor.
It seems criminal that Hedges is yet to be nominated again following stand out performances in Lady Bird, Boy Erased and Honey Boy, to name but a few. There is no doubt that Hedges will earn further nominations if he continues on his current trajectory. Oscar bait seems to be his bread and butter, and he always steals every scene that he is a part of.
Timothée Chalamet (1 Nomination)
Timothée Chalamet has become the poster boy of his generation. Unlike Hedges, Chalamet has been attracted to a number of blockbuster projects and is the star of the upcoming reboot of Dune. Chalamet caught the attention of the Academy when he starred opposite Armie Hammer in Call Me by Your Name - a truly stunning piece of cinema that navigates the LGBTQ coming of age story so successfully.
Chalamet gives an incredibly mature and emotional performance that shakes everyone who sees it. Since then he has had critical success in Lady Bird and Little Women. His follow-up films The King and Beautiful Boy received mixed reviews, but his talent in those features could not be denied. His star is still burning brightly and, much like Hedges, it would be a surprise if he didn't woo the Academy in the future.
Yalitza Aparicio (1 Nomination)
Another to be nominated for her feature film debut, Yalitza Aparicio garnered plaudits for her performance in Alfonso Cuarón's Roma. Aparicio is the first Indigenous American woman to earn a nomination.
She has not appeared in any films since and it is unknown as to whether she will return. However, at 27 years of age there is plenty of potential if she were willing to get back on the screen. One film and one nomination is not a bad record to have.
Florence Pugh (1 Nomination)
Florence Pugh appears to have taken the world by storm and has no intentions of stopping any time soon. To think she is only 25 years old is a terrifying thought. Pugh's short career has seen her take on a number of varying roles in a variety of different genres. Her first lead was in Lady Macbeth, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. Her performance in Ari Aster's Midsommar announced her as a terrifying prospect for the future. In the same year she appeared in Greta Gerwig's Little Women, as the normally unlikeable Amy.
Pugh was able to bring depth to the role that allowed the audience to sympathize with a character who is regularly outlined as the antagonist of the piece. The performance stands out due to the changing age of Amy, as Pugh developed the characters maturity at different stages of the film. This range alerted the Academy to her talents and Pugh was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category. Having just joined the MCU and with a number of projects on the horizon, Pugh has the world at her feet. Expect more nominations to follow.
Maria Bakalova (1 Nomination)
Before 2020 very few in the western world had heard of Maria Bakalova. Even when Borat Subsequent Moviefilm had hit our screens, few would have recognized the name. But when Bakalova was nominated for an Academy Award, the world was stunned and began to take notice. In the midst of a pandemic, many films were delayed. However, Bakalova's performance, and subsequent nomination, should not be underrated.
To steal the show whilst sharing the screen with Sacha Baron Cohen, is no mean feat. Bakalova was the real star of the new Borat film and has a bright future ahead of her. Focusing on more comedic pursuits, Baklava is due to work with Judd Apatow in The Bubble. Don't be surprised if, like Baron Cohen, the Academy come calling again in the future.
Saoirse Ronan (4 Nominations)
Saioirse Ronan is the only actor under 30 to have multiple nominations, and Ronan is still only 27. She earned her first nomination in 2008, at the age of 13, for her role in Atonement. Since this breakthrough performance, Ronan built her reputation and continuously churned out outstanding performances one after another. The Academy came calling again following her showing in Brooklyn. Ronan's range is what really makes her stand out. Each performance is different and yet so clearly steals the screen from any other actor who shares it with her.
Under the direction of the great Greta Gerwig, Ronan has won two nominations for her performances in Lady Bird and Little Women. It almost seems criminal that Ronan is yet to win an Academy Award. The only female actor to have collected more nominations at a younger age is Jennifer Lawrence. Ronan has proven to be a trailblazer for a generation of talented actors. Ronan is no longer one to watch, but one to adore and wonder what the limit of her powers might be.