Before it’s too late and no longer topical, I wanted to share a list that has been floating in my mind for a while. On Sunday night, the Academy welcomed Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway into their club. Now, they can join Daniel Day-Lewis and Christoph Waltz in adding the phrase “Oscar Winner” before their name is mentioned.
But within the next 10 years, who will join them in the pantheon of acting? I have a few suggestions…
Male
Leonardo DiCaprio
3 Oscar nominations
9 Golden Globe nominations, 1 win
8 SAG Award nominations
COMMENTARY: The question isn’t “if.” It’s “when.” And that could be as early as this year.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
2 Golden Globe nominations
4 SAG Award nominations
COMMENTARY: With the boy-next-door turning into a renaissance man as he heads behind the director’s chair, JGL is headed towards golden child status. Now it’s just time for the Oscars to catch up.
Ryan Gosling
1 Oscar nomination
4 Golden Globe nominations
2 SAG Award nominations
COMMENTARY: I don’t really think I need to elaborate here as Gosling is one of the emerging Hollywood leading men. The only thing keeping him from an Oscar, in my mind, is his eclectic role selection.
Brad Pitt
4 Oscar nominations (3 as actor)
5 Golden Globe nominations, 1 win
5 SAG Award nominations, 1 win
COMMENTARY: As one of the highest-wattage stars of the past decade moves into a slower, more retrospective phase of his career, the role that will land Brad Pitt his Oscar should materialize.
George Clooney
8 Oscar nominations (4 for acting), 2 wins (1 for acting)
12 Golden Globe nominations (8 for acting), 3 wins
13 SAG Award nominations, 4 wins
COMMENTARY: Yes, Clooney has already won his Oscar(s). But I am convinced he will win his trophy for a leading role as he is such a prominent leading man in Hollywood.
Female
Amy Adams
4 Oscar nominations
4 Golden Globe nominations
5 SAG Award nominations
COMMENTARY: 4 nominations in 7 years. That’s impressive. It’s going to happen, soon. Perhaps the first time she gets a big leading role?
Laura Linney
3 Oscar nominations
6 Golden Globe nominations, 2 wins
4 SAG Award nominations, 1 win
4 Primetime Emmy nominations, 3 wins
COMMENTARY: Though as of late Linney has been more television oriented, I still don’t think the cinematic community is done paying its dues to this talented actress.
Julianne Moore
4 Oscar nominations
7 Golden Globe nominations, 1 win
10 SAG Award nominations, 1 win
1 Primetime Emmy win
COMMENTARY: If “Game Change” had been released in theaters and not on HBO, Moore would have her Oscar. It’s been over a decade now since her last nomination, but I don’t think that means the impetus to give her award has disappeared.
Emma Stone
1 Golden Globe nomination
1 SAG Award win
COMMENTARY: She’s a new Hollywood “It” girl. Once she lands the big and flashy role, she will get an Oscar. (Heck, they had her announce the nominations this year, something usually reserved for prior winners/nominees.) She’s a beloved figure with all the charm and accessibility of Jennifer Lawrence with a little more polish and refinement.
Michelle Williams
3 Oscar nominations
3 Golden Globe nominations, 1 win
4 SAG Award nominations
COMMENTARY: Williams showed she had some serious range in “My Week with Marilyn.” Not that her mopey characters weren’t good, but now we know she’s the real deal.
What do YOU think? Who else is destined for Oscar glory in the next decade?
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