As with leading men, the winner of Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars is usually one of the more seasoned competitors. Last year, Brad Pitt was 56 when he won for his featured performance in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” He joined a lucky 13 previous winners who were in their 50s when they took home the trophy. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2021 Oscars predictions for Best Supporting Actor.)
Eleven more men were in their 60s when they won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards. For eight fellows, it took till they were in their 70s to win while two (George Burns for “The Sunshine Boys” and Christopher Plummer for “Beginners”) were north of 80 when they took home their only Oscars.
At the 2019 Academy Awards, Mahershala Ali prevailed for “Green Book.” He had won this same category just two years earlier for “Moonlight.” He was the 31st (and 29th) winner of this award to be in his 40s. Sam Rockwell, who won in 2018 for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” was the 30th, having picked up this prize eight months before he turned 50.
Only four Best Supporting Actor champs were in their 20s and just 14 have been thirtysomething.
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UPDATED: February 25, 2021
Leading Contenders
Chadwick Boseman, “Da 5 Bloods” (Netflix – June 12)
Sacha Baron Cohen, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix – September 25)
Daniel Kaluuya, “Judas and the Black Messiah” (Warner Bros. – February 12, 2021)
Jared Leto, “The Little Things” (Warner Bros. – January 29, 2021)
Bill Murray, “On The Rocks” (A24 – October 2)
Paul Raci, “Sound of Metal” (Amazon – November 20)
Leslie Odom, Jr., “One Night in Miami” (Amazon – December 25)
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Strong Contenders
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix – September 25)
Bo Burnham, “Promising Young Woman” (Focus Features – December 25)
Colman Domingo, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix – December 18)
Aldis Hodge, “One Night in Miami” (Amazon – December 25)
Mark Rylance, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix – September 25)
David Strathairn, “Nomadland” (Searchlight Pictures – December 4)
Stanley Tucci, “Supernova” (Bleecker Street – January 29, 2021)
Glynn Turman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (Netflix – December 18)
PREDICT the 2021 Oscar nominations through March 15
Possible Contenders
Lucas Hedges, “French Exit” (Sony Pictures Classics – February 12, 2021)
Richard Jenkins, “Kajillionaire” (Focus Features – September 18)
Hugh Laurie, “The Personal History of David Copperfield” (Searchlight Pictures – August 28)
Will Patton, “Minari” (A24 – Winter)
Eddie Redmayne, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix – September 25)
Trevante Rhodes, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” (Paramount – February 12, 2021)
J.K. Simmons, “Palm Springs” (Neon – July 10)
We will be updating our Oscar predictions for each competitive category often in the days to come so be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back as the race heats up.
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Picture: Updated – February 22, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Director: Updated – February 23, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Actor: Updated – February 24, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Actress: Updated – February 24, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Supporting Actor: Updated – February 25, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Supporting Actress: Updated – February 25, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Adapted Screenplay: Updated – February 16, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Original Screenplay: Updated – February 16, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Cinematography: Updated – February 12, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Costume Design: Updated – February 12, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Film Editing: Updated – February 12, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Makeup & Hairstyling: Updated – February 22 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Original Score: Updated – February 10, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Original Song: Updated – February 10, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Production Design: Updated – February 12, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Sound: Updated – February 12, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Visual Effects: Updated – February 10, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Animated Feature: Updated – February 10, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best Documentary Feature: Updated – February 9, 2021
2021 Oscar Predictions: Best International Feature: Updated – February 9, 2021
PREDICT the 2021 Oscar nominations through March 15
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