10 Actors Who Have Received Oscar Nominations For Portraying Other Hollywood Icons

Against all odds Ana de Armas received an Oscar nomination for playing Marilyn Monroe in Andrew Dominicis controversial Blond. A fictionalized version of Monroe’s life, the film garnered mixed reviews from critics and viewers who criticized its treatment of Monroe. Despite this, de Armas’ work was praised and it made it to the Dolby.

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Like de Armas, many actors have received AMPAS recognition for playing other Hollywood icons. Whether playing actors, directors, or writers, these performers lived up to the legends they played and earned a well-deserved Oscar for their efforts.

1 Ana De Armas as Marilyn Monroe – “Blonde” (2022)

Andrew Dominic Blond presents a heavily fictionalized take on Marilyn Monroe’s life, chronicling her rise to stardom, her turbulent relationships, and eventual death. The film drew significant criticism for its lack of historical accuracy and Dominik’s later comments on Monroe.

However, de Armas’ engaging and raw performance garnered rave reviews. Even the film’s harshest critics praised her work in the film, which allowed her to earn her Oscar nomination. Despite this, de Armas only plays Monroe in name because the character bears little resemblance to the woman in real life.

2 Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball – “Being the Ricardos” (2021)

When pouring Nicole Kidman as Lucile Ball was announced, the fans reacted sceptically. Unfortunately, the result was better than expected, thanks largely to Kidman’s versatility and dedication as an actor. However, Be the Ricardos was not widely praised, and many criticized the film’s failure to accurately capture its larger-than-life themes.

And yet Kidman shines as the ball. The actor gives a great performance, mastering Aaron Sorkin‘s notoriously challenging dialogue while still capturing Ball’s essence. And while Kidman doesn’t quite match Ball’s comedic genius, she delivers a comprehensive take on the legendary actor and earns a well-deserved Oscar nomination.

3 Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davis – “Mank” (2020)

David Fincher‘S man follows screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he writes the screenplay for Citizen Kane in dealing with a rapidly changing Hollywood. Amanda Seyfried shines as the icon Marion Davisa close friend of Mankiewicz and longtime partner of William Randolph Hearst.

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man is far from Fincher’s best effort, but it’s still a solid entry into the Hollywood biopic genre. Seyfried is luminous as Davies, delivering a fresh and effortless performance and stealing every scene she’s in. The film lags in most parts, but Seyfried saves him from despair with every appearance. The actress received critical acclaim, culminating in her first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

4 Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland – “Judy” (2019)

Renee Zellweger was one of the biggest stars of the 2000s, who disappeared in the 2010s. During the first half of the noughties, she garnered recognition and three consecutive Oscar nominations for her work, culminating in a win for her supporting work cold mountain.

After a year-long hiatus, Zellweger returned in 2019, playing the Hollywood and LGBTQ+ icon Judy garland in the biopic judy. The film received mostly positive reviews, with most agreeing that Zellweger’s performance enhanced an otherwise numbers-based storyline. The actress received universal acclaim for her portrayal of Garland, winning the 2020 awards season and winning her second Academy Award sixteen years after her first win.

5 Bryan Cranston as Dalton Trumbo – “Trumbo” (2015)

After the end of his groundbreaking series breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston starred in the 2015 biographical film trombo. The plot focuses on the character of the same name and his time being blacklisted in Hollywood due to his political beliefs.

trombo received favorable reviews from critics, with most praise going to Cranston’s leading man. The accomplished actor gives an impressive and multi-layered performance as the embattled Trumbo, combining charisma with the seriousness necessary to tell the author’s unique story. Cranston received nominations from all major guilds, including his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

6 Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe – “My Week With Marilyn” (2011)

Ana de Armas isn’t the only actress to have received an Oscar nomination for her role as Marilyn Monroe. in 2012, Michelle Williams received her third Oscar nod for her portrayal of Marilyn in the 2011 biopic My week with Marilyn. not how Blond, My week with Marilyn is a loving and overly sanitized look at Marilyn during the making of the underrated film The Prince and the Showgirl.

William’s portrayal of Marilyn was universally acclaimed. In fact, the actor looks and sounds like Marilyn, and delivers a vulnerable performance that ranks as the film’s highlight. Williams won a Golden Globe for her work and received nominations for many major awards, including an Oscar.

7 Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn – “The Aviator” (2004)

Martin Scorsese‘s 2004 biopic the aviator Stars Leonardo DiCaprio as eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes. The film chronicles his adventure in cinema and explores his relationship with a larger-than-life acting legend Catherine Hepburnplayed by the two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett.

Playing Hepburn is no easy task, and Blanchett wisely chooses to evoke rather than imitate. The actor nails Hepburn’s distinctive voice and way of speaking, capturing her over-the-top personality in minute detail. Her efforts were rewarded with the 2005 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress; To date, Blanchett is the only actor to have won an Oscar for portraying another Oscar winner.

8th Willem Dafoe as Max Schreck – “Shadow Of The Vampire” (2000)

John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe Star in the historical comedy horror film Shadow of the Vampire. A fictional interpretation of the creation of the horror classic Nosferatuthe film revolves around the director FW Murnau, who hires a real vampire to play the title role, adding realism to his vision.

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Shadow of the Vampire received praise for its unique premise and humorous but cool tone. Dafoe’s appearance as a vampire Max Schrek received high praise, especially for its faithful recreations of Nosferatu‘s most iconic scenes. Shadow of the Vampire was Dafoe’s first Oscar nomination in fourteen years; he would receive his third seventeen years later.

9 Robert Downey Jr. as Charlie Chaplin – “Chaplin” (1992)

Charlie Chaplin is one of the best-known and most famous actors in film history; However, not many biopics have been made about him. The most notable is Richard Attenborough‘s 1992 comedy-drama Chaplinmain role Robert Downey Jr. in the title role.

although Chaplin received mixed reviews, with Downey Jr.’s performance receiving critical acclaim. His portrayal of Chaplin was so uncanny that the real man’s daughter, Geraldine ChaplinHe is said to have been “impressed and unnerved” by his work. Downey Jr. won the BAFTA Award and received his first Academy Award nomination for his performance.

10 Jessica Lange as Frances Fisher – “Frances” (1982)

Jessica Long received two Oscar nominations in 1982: one for her supporting work in tootsie and the other for her starring role in French. The latter sees her as a problematic actor Franz Bauer in a story about her tumultuous career in the 1930s and her sanity.

French was criticized for taking advantage of Farmer’s woes, but Lange’s performance received widespread acclaim. The actress delivers a flashy tour de force performance that would have earned her an Oscar any other year. However, she was unlucky enough to compete against them Meryl Streep in Sophie’s choice. However, Lange didn’t go home empty-handed because she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor tootsie.

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