The Academy Awards have celebrated the talents of the film industry for over 96 years, honoring outstanding performances and achievements. Many celebrities dream of winning an Oscar once they come into the Hollywood scene, and a lot of them do achieve it.
Some secure it at a very young age while others get the chance to hold the coveted trophy much later in their careers.
So, let’s look at some child prodigies and veterans who have achieved this incredible feat at an age that will leave you in shock.
1. Timothy Hutton
Winning an Oscar is the pinnacle of success for any actor, and many put in a lot of work to achieve this no matter the age and the time it takes to get to the lectern and hold the golden statue. But for some, they just got a knack for acting and achieved this award when they were just teens or in their early twenties.
Most actors spend decades chasing an Oscar, but Timothy Hutton snatched one before he could legally buy a beer. At just 20, his emotional performance as Conrad Jarrett, a teenager struggling with loss, was widely praised.
2. Marlee Matlin
At just 21 years old, Marlee Matlin became the youngest winner of the Best Actress Oscar. She acted in the movie Children of a Lesser God (1986) in which she portrayed the role of Sarah Norman, a deaf woman who is navigating between love and communication, which was groundbreaking.
Her winning the award is a huge deal not just because of her age but also because she is the only deaf actor ever to win an Academy Award. It was a huge moment of representation in Hollywood, and she did not stop at this as she has successfully gone on to do other great projects like The West Wing, Switched at Birth, and CODA (2021).
3. Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar at just 22 years old for her amazing performance as Tiffany in Silver Linings Playbook (2012). She plays the role of a widow who is struggling with depression and meets another guy who is also struggling with mental health problems and they both make a pact to help each other in some way.
Unlike other Oscar-winning roles it was not all serious and fixed on a theme, she balanced the emotional intensity with depth and humor pretty well. After her Oscar win, she became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and has done amazing roles in American Hustle (2013), Joy (2015), Hunger Games and X-Men franchises.
4. Janet Gaynor
Imagine going to the first ever Oscar Award ceremony to be ever held and then ending up making history on that same day. That’s exactly what happened with Janet Gaynor during the first-ever Oscar ceremony that was hosted in 1929.
She was just 22 when she won the Best Actress accolade, for her role in multiple movies 7th Heaven (1927), Street Angel (1928), and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927), Confused? –Don’t be– the Oscars used to celebrate performances across multiple films to choose the winner and Gaynor was just the right person for this award, she was a legend in the silent film era, and if anyone were to set standards for the upcoming performances then she her roles were it.
5. Joan Fontaine
Alfred Hitchcock is one of the greatest directors of all time, and while his films fell under simple genres like suspense thrillers, spy films, and horror, his direction style is something that will be studied for decades to come. Now, you must be wondering why we are talking about Hitchcock instead of Joan Fontaine.
This is because her win for the Best Actress accolade is a significant one for Hitchcock as well; she is the first and only actor to win an Oscar for a Hitchcock film. Even though she was nominated the previous year for the film Rebecca (1940), she did not get the accolade, as it went to Ginger Rogers. And a notable thing about her win is that she was just 24 when she took home the Best Actress accolade.
6. Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn had audiences around the world on the edge of their seats with her Oscar-winning performance as Princess Ann in Roman Holiday (1953). At just 24, she won Best Actress for her portrayal of a sheltered and pampered young woman who experiences freedom and romance in Rome after running away from her guardians.
She naturally embodied the charm and elegance of royalty, and after this role, she was catapulted into the Hollywood spotlight. Cementing her legacy as a legendary actress, she went on to deliver stunning performances in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), My Fair Lady (1964), and Charade (1963).
7. Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones portrays a young French peasant girl in The Song of Bernadette (1943), and her role feels like a cheat code for winning an Oscar—she plays someone who can see visions of the Virgin Mary. The role demanded an extraordinary level of innocence and blind faith, which the young actress delivered effortlessly.
Her ability to pull this off at just 25 made her one of the youngest actors to win the Best Actress award. Following her role as Bernadette Soubirous, she quickly became a Hollywood sensation, going on to star in acclaimed films like Duel in the Sun (1946), Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955), and The Towering Inferno (1974), cementing her status as one of the most celebrated actresses of her era.
8. Julie Christie
Hollywood saw a reflection of itself in Julie Christie’s captivating performance as Diana Scott in Darling (1965). Diana is a beautiful and ambitious woman who is chasing fame but does not want to put in the hard work. Instead, she uses her looks and charm to climb the ladder of fame.
At just 25, Christie took on this daring role, and it became a career-defining moment. Her mesmerizing performance not only earned her the Oscar for Best Actress but also cemented her status as a Hollywood icon—one whose impact still lingers in the industry today.
9. Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly was known for favoring glamorous roles. However, this time, she stepped away from her usual choices and instead took on the role of Georgie Elgin, the long-suffering wife of an alcoholic actor, in The Country Girl (1954).
It’s a familiar Hollywood tale—a successful actor marries a beautiful woman, struggles to handle fame, and turns to alcohol, leaving the wife to bear the consequences. That’s the theme at play here, but the real challenge was finding a young actress who could truly bring depth to the role. This is where Kelly graced us with her brilliance. She delivered a performance that would have been challenging even for seasoned actresses, yet she pulled it off effortlessly, earning a well-deserved Best Actress Oscar at just 25.
10. Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank won her first Academy Award for Best Actress at 25 for her powerful performance as Brandon Teena in Boys Don’t Cry (1999). Swank fully immersed herself in the role, portraying a transgender man dealing with prejudice while struggling to find love.
This was one of the most well-deserved Best Actress wins, as Swank didn’t just play the part—she transformed herself. She lost weight until she had just 7% body fat, lived as a man for weeks, and earned only $3,000 for the role, proving her deep commitment.
While looking back today, the casting choice may seem controversial—many believe a transgender actor should have been chosen—it’s hard to direct frustration at Swank. At the time, far fewer people were openly LGBTQ+, and even Swank herself has acknowledged that if the role were offered to her today, she wouldn’t take it.
11. Anthony Hopkins
At the jaw-dropping age of 83, Anthony Hopkins became the oldest actor to ever win an Academy Award when he took home Best Actor for The Father (2020). In the film, Hopkins plays Anthony, an elderly man plagued by dementia. And Hopkins, being the legend he is, didn’t just perform the role or read lines off a script—he breathed life into the character. The subtle facial expressions, gestures, understanding of body language, and the way he embodied every nuance of a dementia patient all elevated his performance to another level.
So, when it was announced during the 2021 Academy Awards that Hopkins had won Best Actor, there was no doubt, no question—just an outpouring of applause.
The win was one for the history books, making him the oldest person to secure the accolade. He already had an Oscar for The Silence of the Lambs (1991), but his performance in The Father was impossible to overlook.
12. Henry Fonda
Henry Fonda won his first and only Oscar at 76 for his heartfelt performance as Norman Thayer Jr. in On Golden Pond (1981). He plays an aging, emotionally distant father who, in his final years, tries to reconcile with his daughter who was played by his real-life daughter, Jane Fonda.
The story itself was already chef’s kiss, and when paired with his spectacular performance—enhanced by the personal touch of acting alongside his family—it became truly special. Fonda, a legendary actor known for films like The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and 12 Angry Men (1957), finally received the long-overdue recognition he deserved.
13. Christopher Plummer
It’s not often that a comedy film secures an Oscar, but that’s exactly what happened when you cast a legend like Christopher Plummer. The 82-year-old Hollywood icon took home the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Beginners (2010).
Plummer plays Hal Fields, a closeted gay man who lived in secrecy until he was 75. After his wife’s passing, he comes out to his son, determined to live a fuller life and embrace his true self.
He delivered the performance like the pro he was, single-handedly carrying the comedic moments in this romantic comedy. But that doesn’t take away from the heartfelt and poignant scenes that made his role so memorable. With a career spanning nearly six decades, Plummer blessed audiences with unforgettable performances—from The Sound of Music (1965) to Knives Out (2019)—before sadly passing away in 2021 at the age of 91.
14. George Burns
It seems like George Burns made it his mission to achieve every milestone an older actor could in Hollywood. At 80, he became the oldest Oscar winner at the time when he won Best Supporting Actor for The Sunshine Boys (1975). And while this was his last Oscar win, it certainly didn’t mean he was slowing down. He continued acting well into his 90s, later earning acclaim for Oh, God! (1977) and becoming the oldest Oscar nominee at 98 for Going in Style (1979).
As for his role in The Sunshine Boys, the filmmakers needed someone who was both funny and quick-witted. Once they cast Burns, it must have felt like the perfect choice—he effortlessly embodied the role of a retired vaudeville comedian reuniting with his old partner.
15. Melvyn Douglas
At 79, Melvyn Douglas secured his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor with his brilliant performance in Being There (1979). He portrayed Benjamin Rand, a wealthy businessman who, in an ironic twist, mistakes a simple gardener for a wise thinker—just because of the way he carries himself after being thrown onto the streets following the death of the man he took care of.
The film had a satirical theme but he still somehow managed to deliver emotional weight where it was needed without any effort, showcasing the skills of a seasoned veteran. He had previously won an Oscar for Hud (1963) and was known for classics like Ninotchka (1939) and finally, when his Being There role won him another accolade, his legacy was cemented in Hollywood.
16. John Gielgud
At 77, John Gielgud won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for playing Hobson, the funny and quick-witted butler in a comedy romance movie– Arthur (1981). His humor lands perfectly for the character he plays, his role is also the perfect balance for Dudley Moore’s wild performance.
Despite being best known for his serious Shakespearean roles, Gielgud showcased his range with this comedic role. He was also one of the rare performers to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting,” securing an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony.
17. Jessica Tandy
At the age of 80, Jessica Tandy became the oldest actress to win an Oscar when she took home Best Actress for her role as Daisy Werthan in Driving Miss Daisy (1989). The film also touches on the sensitive theme of racism and in the film, Daisy is an open-minded independent woman from the South who is slowly forming a deep bond with her chauffeur, played by Morgan Freeman.
Tandy had already established herself as one of the greatest actors but her role in the film was just another beautiful addition to her filmography.
18. Katharine Hepburn
At 74, Katharine Hepburn won her record-breaking fourth Academy Award for Best Actress for On Golden Pond (1981), making her the oldest Best Actress winner at the time. And if the film’s name sounds familiar, that’s because it is—the same movie in which Henry Fonda’s character tries to reconnect with his daughter.
In the film, Hepburn plays Ethel Thayer, the warm-hearted and ever-supportive wife who takes on the classic role of a mother—the ultimate bridge between father and his child. As Henry Fonda’s character struggles to reconnect with their daughter, Ethel continues to offer gentle encouragement and unwavering love, rooting for them both every step of the way. Hepburn was the perfect addition to an already remarkable story and cast, and as expected, she delivered a performance full of warmth, spirit, and effortless charm.
19. Peggy Ashcroft
Peggy Ashcroft won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Mrs. Moore in A Passage to India (1984) at the age of 77 making her one of the oldest women to win an acting Oscar.
In the film, she plays a kindhearted and open-minded Englishwoman who sympathizes with the Indian people during British colonial rule. Her performance is filled with warmth and quiet strength, making Mrs. Moore a truly memorable character. Ashcroft was already a highly respected stage actress, with a career spanning over six decades, and her Oscar win was a well-deserved recognition of her incredible talent and dedication to acting.
20. Yuh-Jung Youn
At 73, Yuh-Jung Youn made history as the first Korean actor to win an Academy Award when she won Best Supporting Actress for Minari (2020). Youn plays the role of Soon-ja, a funny and weird grandmother who moves in with her Korean-American family in Arkansas and she delivers a performance that a lot of Asians can relate to.
She also gave a cute acceptance speech where she made fun of Brad Pitt, who was the producer of the show, for not showing up during the shooting of the film. She is a legendary actress in South Korea and has had an amazing career for over five decades, which has gotten her roles in great films like The Housemaid (2010) and Beasts Clawing at Straws (2020).
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