It can often take an entire career for A-list actors to gain major accolades for their work, yet others manage to win awards with their very first film. While the list ofincredible actors who have yet to win an Oscaris a long one, it’s also astounding just how many amazing performers did some of theirbest work on their debut movie. These award wins often helped great actors gain widespread recognition and helped kickstart popular careers that spanned numerous genres and styles.
Some of thebest actors everwon major awards for their feature film debuts, which helped give them the fame and notoriety required to become among the most sought-after performers in Hollywood. While some of these awards went to young actors just getting started in the industry, other performers brought a wealth of experience from theater and television to their acting debut. No matter what the backstory was,all these performances were defining moments in the actor’s careersand earned well-deserved accolades.
10Lindsay Lohan
The Parent Trap (1998)
The former child starLindsay Lohan was just 12 years old when she played the dual role of identical twins Hallie Parker and Annie JamesinThe Parent Trap. This Disney remake of a classic 1961 comedy saw the two siblings, separated at birth and raised separately by their biological parents, reunited and scheming to bring their wayward mom and dad back together again. With writer and director Nancy Meyers at the helm and a healthy dose of fun, Lohan immediately showcased her incredible talent as she earned accolades for her fantastic performance.
For her role inThe Parent Trap, Lohan won both the Best Breakthrough Performance at the Online Film & Television Association Awards and the Best Performance in a Feature Film at the Young Artist Awards. Lohan’s role was so convincing that after she met the then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner at the film’s premiere, he quizzically asked, “Where’s your twin?” to which she replied she didn’t have one, but “You should’ve paid me double” (viaPeople.) After Lohan’s role inThe Parent Trap, she starred in classics likeFreaky FridayandMean Girls, becoming one ofthe biggest stars of the 2000s.
The Parent Trap
Cast
The Parent Trap is a family comedy about identical twin sisters, played by Lindsay Lohan, who are separated at birth and raised by their respective single parents. Meeting for the first time at a summer camp, the sisters switch places to reunite their estranged parents, leading to various comedic and heartfelt moments. Directed by Nancy Meyers, the film is a remake of the 1961 classic of the same name.
9Kate Winslet
Heavenly Creatures (1994)
The extraordinary talent of Kate Winslet was on full display right from the beginning as she beat out 175 other women (viaWhite Little Lies) for her role as Juliet Hulme in Peter Jackson’s unusual biographical dramaHeavenly Creatures. Based on the notorious true story of the 1954 Parker–Hulme murder case in Christchurch, New Zealand, a 17-year-old Winslet perfectly captured the themes of fantasy, friendship, and obsession at the heart ofHeavenly Creatures.Winslet played a teenage girl who developed an unhealthy obsession with her best friend, Pauline, which tragically led to the murder of Pauline’s mother.
Winslet received widespread acclaim for the role and took home several major awards. These included Best British Actress at the Empire Awards, British Actress of the Year at the London Film Critics Circle, and Best Foreign Performer at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards. The beginnings of Winslet’s career were truly spectacular, as she also gained her first Oscar nomination just one year later forSense and Sensibilityand was nominated for an impressive seven Academy Awards throughout her career. However, it was not untilThe Readerin 2008 that she finally earned her well-deserved Best Actress Oscar.
Heavenly Creatures
In post-war New Zealand, teenagers Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme meet at school and develop a close but obsessive friendship. Their rich fantasy life, filled with characters and landscapes of their creation, is disrupted as their families grow concerned and decide to separate them, leading to committing a devastating crime.
8Julie Andrews
Mary Poppins (1964)
The iconic English actress and singer Julie Andrews got her start on stage and appeared on the West End and on Broadway as a child. These incredible beginnings gave way to movie roles during the 1960s, with her major feature film debut beingMary Poppins, a role she would be associated with for the rest of her life. As the magical nanny who appears in the life of the dysfunctional Banks family, the wayMary Poppinsblended music, live-action, and animation made it a true all-time Disney classic.
It’s no surprise thatAndrews gained widespread acclaim for her roleand even earned an Academy Award for Best Actress. Although that’s not all, as Andrews was also presented with a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy forMary Poppins. With so many prestigious awards, it was clear that Andrews' talent on stage carried forward perfectly into moviemaking. WhileMary Poppinswas Andrews’ major film debut, it should also be noted that she previously lent her voice to the English-language version ofLa Rosa di Bagdad, an Italian animated film retitledThe Singing Princess.
Mary Poppins
Based on the classic book series by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins stars Julie Andrews as the famous magical nanny, who arrives under mysterious means to look after the Banks children in early 1900s London. Considered one of Walt Disney’s crowning achievements, the film blends live-action and animation with whimsical storytelling and song and has been a staple children’s movie since its release in 1964.
7Emma Stone
Emma Stone’s career has been incredible to witness as she got her start in mainstream comedies likeEasy Abefore gaining major leading roles in acclaimed modern classics likeLa La LandandPoor Things, both of which earned her Academy Awards. From superhero movies likeThe Amazing Spider-Manto idiosyncratic TV shows likeManiac, Stone has excelled in every genre she’s tackled, and her career has been defined by sheer variety. While Stone has gained major awards in recent years, her debut inSuperbadhinted at the accolades to come.
For her role as Jules, the object of Jonah Hill’s character’s affection for whom he wants to buy alcohol, Stone won the Exciting New Face category at the Young Hollywood Awards.This early accolade hinted at Stone’s incredible subsequent careeras she went from strength to strength in the following years. With four Oscar nominations, including two wins by the time she was 35, Stone has truly had an extraordinary career that’s likely to be filled with even more awards and acclaim.
Superbad
Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and produced by Judd Apatow, Superbad follows high school seniors Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), two best friends who are desperate to join the popular kids' party before heading off to college. After asking their friend Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) - A.K.A. McLovin - to use his fake ID to purchase alcohol, Seth and Evan end up getting drawn into a night of criminal misfortunes that threatens the very fabric of their friendship.
6Emily Watson
Breaking the Waves (1996)
While Emily Watson began her career in theater, she made her film debut in Danish director Lars Von Trier’s intense psychological dramaBreaking the Waves. Watson was brought on to star as Bess McNeill, a woman whose life was plagued by guilt after her husband was left paralyzed in an accident, afterHelena Bonham Carter dropped out of the role just one week before shooting was due to start(viaBright Lights.) As a deeply challenging role, the part of Bess required a deep emotional range as it explored uncomfortable topics of sexuality and voyeurism.
Watson truly captured the gut-wrenching sorrow at the heart of this unconventional love story and received numerous accolades for her part, including an Academy Award nomination that she lost out on to Frances McDormand forFargo. However, Watson did win several major awards forBreaking the Waves, including the London, Los Angeles, and New York Film Critics Awards, a Bodil Award for Best Actress, and the European Film Award for Best Actress. Watson’s total commitment to the challenging nature of Von Trier’s film was commendable and signaled the beginning of a film career filled with interesting and unusual roles.
5Lupita Nyong’o
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Lupita Nyong’o made her feature film debut in Steve McQueen’s12 Years a Slaveand immediately signaled herself as a major A-list star. Nyong’o’s incredible performance as the enslaved woman Patsey was a powerful and emotive showcase of the horrors women endured due to the sadistic and abusive treatment of slave owners. 12 Years a Slave earned widespread acclaim, being nominated for nine Academy Awards and winning Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, andBest Supporting Actress for Nyong’o.
Nyong’o’s astounding debut has carried forward into franchises likeStar Warsand the Marvel Cinematic Universe’sBlack Panther. With a talent for horror, Nyong’o also later starred in acclaimed releases like Jordan Peele’sUsand the prequelA Quiet Place: Day One. Nyong’o’s Oscar win has afforded her the opportunity to showcase her incredible range across genres as she’s excelled in action, comedy, drama, horror, and sci-fi movies.
12 Years a Slave
Directed by Steve McQueen and based on the 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Northrup, a free black man from New York who, in 1841, is captured and sold into slavery in the south. Separated from his family, and forced to endure intense brutality at the hands of his new masters, Northrup works tirelessly to stay alive and regain his freedom. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northrup, with a cast that includes Lupita Nyong'0, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
4Edward Norton
Primal Fear (1996)
The casting call forPrimal Fearsaw 2,100 actors all vying for the role of Aaron Stampler, which eventually went to newcomer Edward Norton (viaLA Times.) Norton gained this breakout part ahead of other contenders like Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal as he powerfully portrayed an altar boy charged with murdering a Roman Catholic archbishop. This legal thriller saw Norton in a supporting role opposite Richard Gere, where he gained widespread acclaim andquickly rose to be one of Hollywood’s most sought-after A-listers.
Norton was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor forPrimal Fearbut lost to Cuba Gooding Jr. inJerry Maguire. However, Norton gained several accolades, including a Golden Globe. The rest of the 1990s were a formative time for Norton as he gained some of his most recognizable roles, such as inAmerican History XandFight Club.
Primal Fear
Primal Fear follows a prestigious attorney who defends a young altar boy accused of murdering a bishop. As the case unfolds, the attorney discovers hidden complexities, calling into question the boy’s involvement and suggesting the possible presence of a third party during the crime.
3Anna Paquin
The Piano (1993)
WhilePaquin never earned another Academy Award nomination in the years since, she has had an impressive career. From roles such as Rogue in theX-Menfranchise to her leading part inTrue Blood, Paquin has a varied and admirable Hollywood career. This includes coming-of-age dramas such asThe Squid and the Whaleor, in more recent years, an impressive turn in Martin Scorsese’s gangster epic,The Irishman. Having already gained Hollywood’s most coveted award in her first movie, Paquin was free to expand her talents across numerous genres.
The Piano
The Piano, directed by Jane Campion, follows a mute Scottish woman in colonial New Zealand who enters an arranged marriage. Her new husband refuses to transport her beloved piano, instead giving it to a neighbor, leading to a complex relationship as they navigate cultural and emotional conflicts.
2Whoopi Goldberg
The Color Purple (1985)
As part of a select few that have achieved the elite status of EGOT winner, Whoopi Goldberg has been the recipient of at least one of every major award out there. With a career that boasts over 150 film appearances, Goldberg started strong with her Oscar-winning role inThe Color Purple. This Steven Spielberg-directedadaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walkerwas a deeply effective exploration of race, gender, and poverty.
Goldberg earned the Academy Award for Best Actress for the role of Celie Harris-Johnson in The Color Purple, her very first movie. WhileThe Color Purplewas a powerful drama that explored difficult subject matters around social and political issues, Goldberg’s subsequent career was characterized by sheer variety as she went on to star in musical comedies likeSister Actand even lent her voice to the Disney classicThe Lion King. With numerous awards across several categories, Goldberg was the first Black woman to earn the title of EGOT winner.
The Color Purple
The Color Purple is a drama directed by Steven Spielberg, based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Set in early 20th-century rural Georgia, the film follows the life of Celie, played by Whoopi Goldberg, as she overcomes a series of hardships and personal struggles. Featuring notable performances from Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover, The Color Purple highlights themes of resilience, sisterhood, and the quest for self-identity.
1Hailee Steinfeld
True Grit (2010)
At just 13 years old, Hailee Steinfeld gained the role of Mattie Ross in the Coen Brothers’ remake ofTrue Gritover 15,000 hopeful auditioning girls. This extraordinary acting debut was made all the more impressive as Steinfeld held her own performing opposite veteran actors like Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin. Steinfeld’s powerful performance made her a favorite during the awards season as she won everything from the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Young Performer to Best Supporting Actress at the Austin Film Critics Association Awards.
WhileSteinfeld was nominated for an Academy Award for her work onTrue Grit, she sadly lost out on the prize to Melissa Leo inThe Fighter. The role of Mattie Ross had remained one of Steinfeld’s defining performances, although she’s since gone on to appear in everything fromPitch Perfectto animated movies such asSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Steinfeld has even managed to carve out a second career in music, having released two EPs and soundtrack work in thePitch Perfectfranchise.
True Grit
An adaptation of Charles Portis' 1968 novel of the same name, True Grit tells the story of 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), who enlists the help of morally-questionable lawman Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) in order to avenge the death of her father by apprehending the criminal Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). They are joined by a cocksure Texas Ranger named Labeouf (Matt Damon), who insists upon collecting the bounty on Chaney’s head. The three travel across the Arkansas plains in pursuit of Chaney, risking life and limb against outlaws and wild animals in pursuit of justice.
