Every Oscar Nominee and Winner in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Boy, there’s a lot of AMPAS-recognized performers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, aren’t there? And with Avengers: Infinity War coming up, I thought it’d be interesting to explore which actors have been involved in the decade-old franchise that also have a nomination or two to their name. Some spoilers ahead!
Adriana Barraza
Role: Isabella Alvarez, the owner of a diner Thor visits.
Appeared in: Thor
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actress (Babel)
Did they win?: No.
Angela Bassett
Role: Ramonda, Queen Mother of Wakanda.
Appeared in: Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Actress (What’s Love Got to Do With It)
Did they win?: No.
Cate Blanchett
Role: Hela, the Goddess of Death.
Appeared in: Thor: Ragnarok
What were they nominated for?: Best Actress (Elizabeth, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Blue Jasmine, Carol), Best Supporting Actress (The Aviator, Notes on a Scandal, I’m Not There)
Did they win?: Yes, for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine.
Jeff Bridges
Role: Obadiah Stane, Tony Stark’s mentor and second-in-command at Stark Industries.
Appeared in: Iron Man
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Starman, Crazy Heart, True Grit), Best Supporting Actor (The Last Picture Show, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, The Contender, Hell or High Water)
Did they win?: Yes, for Crazy Heart.
Josh Brolin
Role: Thanos, an intergalactic despot who craves possessing all of the Infinity Stones to further his control on reality.
Appeared in: Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (Milk)
Did they win?: No.
Don Cheadle
Role: James “Rhodey” Rhodes/War Machine, a soldier who initially dons one of Tony Stark’s prototype armors to prevent the latter from harming innocent people.
Appeared in: Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Hotel Rwanda)
Did they win?: No.
Glenn Close
Role: Irani Rael/Nova Prime, the leader of the Nova Corps.
Appeared in: Guardians of the Galaxy
What were they nominated for?: Best Actress (Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs) Best Supporting Actress (The World According to Garp, The Big Chill, The Natural)
Did they win?: No.
Bradley Cooper
Role: Rocket, a genetically engineered bounty hunter with a penchant for weapons and stealing…who happens to resemble a raccoon.
Appeared in: Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper), Best Supporting Actor (American Hustle), Best Picture (American Sniper)
Did they win?: No.
Jennifer Connelly
Role: Karen, the AI in Peter Parker’s suit.
Appeared in: Spider-Man: Homecoming
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actress (A Beautiful Mind)
Did they win?: Yes.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Role: Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange, a neurosurgeon who – while recovering from career-ending injuries in a car accident – becomes drawn into a world of sorcery and mysticism.
Appeared in: Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (The Imitation Game)
Did they win?: No.
Julie Delpy
Role: Madame B., the head of the Red Room, which trained Natasha Romanoff into becoming
an assassin.
Appeared in: Avengers: Age of Ultron
What were they nominated for?: Best Adapted Screenplay (Before Sunset, Before Midnight)
Did they win?: No.
Matt Damon
Role: An unnamed actor playing Loki in a play written by the God of Mischief himself.
Appeared in: Thor: Ragnarok
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Good Will Hunting, The Martian), Best Supporting Actor (Invictus), Best Original Screenplay (Good Will Hunting), Best Picture (Manchester by the Sea)
Did they win?: Yes, for writing Good Will Hunting.
Benicio del Toro
Role: Taneleer Tivan/The Collector, the obsessive owner of the galaxy’s largest menagerie of interstellar paraphernalia.
Appeared in: Thor: The Dark World, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (Traffic, 21 Grams)
Did they win?: Yes, for Traffic.
Michael Douglas
Role: Hank Pym, a scientist and the original Ant-Man before passing the reins onto Scott Lang.
Appeared in: Ant-Man
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Wall Street), Best Picture (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest)
Did they win?: Yes, both times.
Robert Downey, Jr.
Role: Tony Stark/Iron Man, a self-described “genius billionaire playboy philanthropist”.
Appeared in: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Chaplin), Best Supporting Actor (Tropic Thunder)
Did they win?: No.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Role: Karl Mordo, a Master of the Mystic Arts and a mentor to Stephen Strange.
Appeared in: Doctor Strange
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (12 Years A Slave)
Did they win?: No.
Jeff Goldblum
Role: The Grandmaster, the hedonistic ruler of the planet Sakaar.
Appeared in: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Thor: Ragnarok
What were they nominated for?: Best Short Film – Live-Action (Little Surprises)
Did they win?: No.
Djimon Hounsou
Role: Korath the Pursuer, a Kree officer sent to recover the Orb containing the Infinity Stone.
Appeared in: Guardians of the Galaxy
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (In America, Blood Diamond)
Did they win?: No.
Anthony Hopkins
Role: Odin, ruler of Asgard.
Appeared in: Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (The Silence of the Lambs, The Remains of the Day, Nixon), Best Supporting Actor (Amistad)
Did they win?: Yes, for The Silence of the Lambs.
Terrence Howard
Role: James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Tony Stark’s friend and a military liaison to Stark Industries.
Appeared in: Iron Man
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Hustle and Flow)
Did they win?: No.
William Hurt
Role: Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, an Army General (later Secretary of State) on the hunt for Bruce Banner.
Appeared in: The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Civil War
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Children of a Lesser God, Broadcast News), Best Supporting Actor (A History of Violence)
Did they win?: Yes, for Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Samuel L. Jackson
Role: Nick Fury, the director of Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.).
Appeared in: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (Pulp Fiction)
Did they win?: No.
Tommy Lee Jones
Role: Chester Phillips, an Army Colonel in charge of the Strategic Scientific Reserve’s super soldier program.
Appeared in: Captain America: The First Avenger
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (In the Valley of Elah), Best Supporting Actor (JFK, The Fugitive, Lincoln)
Did they win?: Yes, for The Fugitive.
Daniel Kaluuya
Role: W’Kabi, T’Challa’s second-in-command and leader of the Border Tribe.
Appeared in: Black Panther
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Get Out)
Did they win?: No.
Michael Keaton
Role: Adrian Toomes/Vulture, a salvager who turned to a life of crime after being run out of business.
Appeared in: Spider-Man: Homecoming
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Did they win?: No.
Ben Kingsley
Role: Trevor Slattery, an actor hired to play international terrorist organization leader “the Mandarin”.
Appeared in: Iron Man 3
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Gandhi, House of Sand and Fog), Best Supporting Actor (Bugsy, Sexy Beast)
Did they win?: Yes, for Gandhi.
Rachel McAdams
Role: Christine Palmer, Stephen Strange’s colleague and amicable former lover.
Appeared in: Doctor Strange
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actress (Spotlight)
Did they win?: No.
Edward Norton
Role: Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk, a nuclear physicist and biochemist that – following exposure to gamma radiation – turns into a large humanoid monster when agitated.
Appeared in: The Incredible Hulk
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (American History X), Best Supporting Actor (Primal Fear, Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Did they win?: No.
Lupita Nyong’o
Role: Nakia, an undercover Wakandian spy.
Appeared in: Black Panther
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actress (12 Years A Slave)
Did they win?: Yes.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Role: Virginia “Pepper” Potts, Tony Stark’s ever-competent assistant (and later CEO of Stark Industries).
Appeared in: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Actress (Shakespeare in Love)
Did they win?: Yes.
Natalie Portman
Role: Jane Foster, an astrophysicist who discovers the wormhole she’s been observing is actually the Bifröst Bridge.
Appeared in: Thor, Thor: The Dark World
What were they nominated for?: Best Actress (Black Swan, Jackie), Best Supporting Actress (Closer)
Did they win?: Yes, for Black Swan.
Robert Redford
Role: Alexander Pierce, a senior leader within S.H.I.E.L.D. and a member of the World Security Council.
Appeared in: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (The Sting), Best Director (Ordinary People, Quiz Show), Best Picture (Quiz Show)
Did they win?: Yes, for directing Ordinary People.
John C. Reilly
Role: Rhomann Dey, a corpsman in the Nova Corps.
Appeared in: Guardians of the Galaxy
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (Chicago)
Did they win?: No.
Jeremy Renner
Role: Clint Barton/Hawkeye, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and an expert marksman.
Appeared in: Thor, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (The Hurt Locker), Best Supporting Actor (The Town)
Did they win?: No.
Sam Rockwell
Role: Justin Hammer, a rival weapons manufacturer of Tony Stark’s.
Appeared in: Iron Man 2
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Did they win?: Yes.
Tim Roth
Role: Emil Blonsky, a British Royal Marine brought in to capture the Hulk, only to become obsessed in the process.
Appeared in: The Incredible Hulk
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (Rob Roy)
Did they win?: No.
Mickey Rourke
Role: Ivan Vanko, a Russian scientist who seeks retaliation from Tony Stark in response to what Stark’s father did to Vanko’s.
Appeared in: Iron Man 2
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (The Wrestler)
Did they win?: No.
Mark Ruffalo
Role: Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk, a scientist who turns into “an enormous green rage monster” when angry.
Appeared in: The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher, Spotlight)
Did they win?: No.
Sylvester Stallone
Role: Stakar Ogord, a high-ranking Ravager who holds a grudge with Yondu Udonta.
Appeared in: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Rocky), Best Supporting Actor (Creed), Best Original Screenplay (Rocky)
Did they win?: No.
Tilda Swinton
Role: The Ancient One, a Celtic mystic who helps train Stephen Strange to become a Master of the Mystic Arts.
Appeared in: Doctor Strange
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actress (Michael Clayton)
Did they win?: Yes.
Marisa Tomei
Role: May Parker, Peter Parker’s aunt.
Appeared in: Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actress (My Cousin Vinny, In the Bedroom, The Wrestler)
Did they win?: Yes, for My Cousin Vinny.
Stanley Tucci
Role: Abraham Erskine, a scientist who created the Super Soldier Serum.
Appeared in: Captain America: The First Avenger
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actor (The Lovely Bones)
Did they win?: No.
Taika Waititi
Role: Korg, a Kronan gladiator who’s imprisoned alongside Thor.
Appeared in: Thor: Ragnarok
What were they nominated for?: Best Short Film – Live-Action (Two Cars, One Night)
Did they win?: No.
Forest Whitaker
Role: Zuri, an elder statesman in Wakanda.
Appeared in: Black Panther
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (The Last King of Scotland)
Did they win?: Yes.
Alfre Woodard
Role: Miriam Sharpe, a woman who blames the Avengers for her son’s death in the battle of Sokovia.
Appeared in: Captain America: Civil War
What were they nominated for?: Best Supporting Actress (Cross Creek)
Did they win?: No.
Oh, you think that was it for the franchise? Nope! With Ant-Man and the Wasp and Captain Marvel on the roster as well, they unsurprisingly have their share of fellow nominees/winners too. (Well, as far as confirmed names go.)
Laurence Fishburne
Role: Bill Foster, a former assistant of Hank Pym’s.
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (What’s Love Got to Do With It)
Did they win?: No.
Brie Larson
Role: Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, an Air Force pilot whose DNA merged with alien DNA in an accident, giving her superpowers as a result.
What were they nominated for?: Best Actress (Room)
Did they win?: Yes.
Jude Law
Role: Walter Lawson/Mar-Vell, Carol Danvers’ mentor.
What were they nominated for?: Best Actor (Cold Mountain), Best Supporting Actor (The Talented Mr. Ripley)
Did they win?: No.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Role: Janet van Dyne, Hank Pym’s wife and the original Wasp.
What were they nominated for?: Best Actress (The Fabulous Baker Boys, Love Field), Best Supporting Actress (Dangerous Liaisons)
Did they win?: No.
