Musicals often go unnoticed at the Oscars, but there are a handful of career-defining performances in the genre that have received the notable award. Chicago is the latest musical to win Best Picture, with the genre's recognition largely coming in the form of wins in the acting categories. Several of these actors play leading or supporting roles in what are considered some of the best musicals of all time. Some of these actors were part of a significant win their film had at that year's Oscars.as Rita Moreno in West Side History.
Others were the only ones to win for the musical film that night. In these roles, celebrated film actors such as Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx and Liza Minnelli surprised critics and audiences alike with their ability to transform into famous characters, showing a whole new side as actors. Additionally, actors who made their film debuts with their Oscar-winning roles, such as Jennifer Hudson and Barbra Streisandare equally impressive. What many of the best Oscar-winning musical performances have in common is an impact that lasts for years, leaving audiences continually in awe.
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Joel Gray (Cabaret)
Won Best Supporting Actor Amid Memorable Cabaret Wins
Although he has a long filmography, working in films, TV shows and theater, Joel Gray is best remembered for playing the Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret. Before playing Liza Minnelli in the 1972 film, Gray played the character on stage. Grey's equally dark, comedic and captivating performance earned him a Tony in 1967. Gray played the same character a few years later on the big screen and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Grey's victory was one of eight for Cabaret during a memorable year for musical recognition at the Oscars. With its eight awards, Cabaret It is one of the films that has won the most Academy Awards without winning Best Picture.
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Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables)
Won the award for best supporting actress for a 15-minute appearance
In Les MisérablesLasting almost three hours, Anne Hathaway appears on screen for approximately 15 minutes. Yet, her physical and emotional commitment to the role of Fantine was enough to earn her an Oscar nomination and victory. In the film, Hathaway expertly captures her character's breakdown, cutting her hair and singing live on set. Her character's harrowing journey culminates in an unforgettable performance of “I Dreamed a Dream.” Singing live on set, Hathaway braves tears and heavy sobs to deliver soulful vocals. Despite her performance being among the shortest to win an Oscar, Hathaway's scenes were what caught the attention of many audiences and critics after watching the film.
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Yul Brynner (The King and I)
He won the best actor award for a role he took on stage
Most actors take on their musical roles once or twice and then move on to other projects, but not Yul Brynner. After playing King Mongkut on stage in The king and IBrynner took home two Tony Awardsand he found similar success playing the same character in the 1956 film adaptation of the same name. He starred in the film alongside actors like Deborah Kerr and Rita Moreno, and although Kerr was also nominated for his performance, Brynner was the only one to win. Although Brynner played other characters throughout his career, his role as King Mongkut, which he played an impressive 4,625 times on stage, is the one he remembers most.
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Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line)
Won best actress award for playing a real-life country icon
Considered one of the best musical biopics of all time, James Mangold's Walk the line sees Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon as the famous Johnny Cash and June Carter. Witherspoon's portrayal of June is full, lively, and at times moving. Although both actors gave career-best performances, it was Witherspoon who won the Oscar for Best Actress. When watching the film, Witherspoon's ability to transform into the famous figure seems effortlessbut she spent months preparing for the role, specifically working on her vocals. All the hard work paid off as the actor not only won an Oscar, but also a BAFTA, a Critics Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award.
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Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago)
Won best supporting actress in the last musical to win best film
Based on the 70s musical of the same name, Chicago It was widely acclaimed by critics and is the most recent musical to win Best Picture at the Oscars. The film won six awards in total, including Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones. In the film, Zeta-Jones plays murderer Velma Kelly, a singer who kills her husband and sister after seeing them in bed together. Chicago is one of Zeta-Jones' best films, as She exudes a contagious confidence and power within the role. Additionally, Zeta-Jones's musical talent came as a surprise to many, and her on-screen chemistry with Renée Zellweger continued to impress audiences years later.
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Emma Stone (La La Land)
Won the award for best actress in a recent musical hit
La La Terra is one of the most recent musicals to attract and impress a wide range of critics and viewers. The film tells the story of two aspiring artists, played by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, stuck trying to make their dreams come true. In addition to its visual achievements and captivating soundtrack, La La Terra won praise for his lead performances. Stone, in particular, is charming on screen and matches Gosling's energy in both the comedy and emotional parts of their love story. While the film's choreography and singing aren't as demanding as other musicals, there's no denying Stone's ability to captivate audiences.making it easy to explain how she won an Oscar.
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Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
Won the award for best supporting actress in her film debut
Inspired by the Supremes, dream girls follows an emerging girl group during the '60s and '70s. As the singers deal with their complicated rise to fame, they also struggle with personal ups and downs, creating some touching scenes and emotionally charged musical performances. The soundtrack, costumes and production design were widely praised by critics, as were the performances of Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy. However she was getting attention for her american idol presentations a few years ago, dream girls It was not only Hudson's film debut, but also his true breakthrough. As a result of her outstanding performance, Hudson won the Best Supporting Actress award.
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Liza Minnelli (Cabaret)
Won the best actress award for her best-known film role
Liza Minnelli has an extensive catalog of work, but it was her best-known film role that earned her an Oscar. Based on the stage musical of the same name Cabaret stars Minnelli as Sally Bowles, a character that the actress reinterpreted, taking inspiration from the flapper icon Louise Brooks. Critics over the years have described Minnelli's performance as electric, with many considering it to be her breakout role despite her work in film, music and theater in previous years. Cabaret it earned several Oscar nominations, including the Best Actress award for Minnelli and the Best Director award for Bob Fosse.
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Jamie Foxx (Ray)
He won the best actor award the same year he was nominated for another film
It is not easy to portray iconic figures in biopics, as well-known mannerisms and personas can seem inauthentic and forcefully played by the actors portraying them. Therefore, Jamie Foxx's work in Ray is even more impressive. Although the actor doesn't sing like legendary musician Ray Charles, Foxx embodies almost every other aspect of the singer in a career-best performance. Ray captures the highs and lows of Charles' career and is largely based on Foxx's inhabited performance. Foxx is one of three male actors to have received two Oscar nominations in acting categories for different films. Foxx was nominated for Guarantee and Ray the same year, taking home the Oscar for the latter.
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Rita Moreno (West Side Story)
Won the award for best supporting actress in the musical with the most Oscars
Best known for her musical roles, Rita Moreno's most celebrated performance is in West Side History. The film, an adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical, is inspired by Shakespeare's work Cheese and guava and sees two rival gangs in New York City fighting for control of the Upper West Side. Moreno’s Anita is a supporting character involved in the conflict, whose most memorable scene is easily the “America” number. During the music scene, Moreno performs the choreographed moves to perfection as her character sings about the perks of living in America. West Side History holds the title for the most Oscar-winning musical, and Moreno contributes to the honor with her win for Best Supporting Actress.
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Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins)
Won the award for Best Actress in a Classic and Beloved Musical
Featuring a mix of animation and live action sequences, Mary Poppins is an iconic fantasy film that continues to touch the hearts of audiences today. The film stars Julie Andrews as the titular nanny who visits a family in London and hopes to improve their lives. Mary Poppins has an abundance of memorable musical numbers and a palpable magical feel that still hasn't faded all these years later. Although she had appeared on TV shows and on stage years before Mary Poppins was Andrews' film debut, and she proved to be a huge star. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards and ended up taking home five, one of which was Best Actress for Andrews.
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Barbra Streisand (funny girl)
Won the award for best actress in her film debut
Based on the life of famous comedian Fanny Brice and adapted from the musical of the same name, William Wyler's funny girl sees Barbra Streisand in her film debut. Streisand reprises the role of Fanny after playing her on Broadway in 1964. The show's success propelled Streisand to fame, and although she lost the Tony Award she was nominated for, there was no denying her star power and talent. Streisand fully immerses herself in the role of Fannyhitting all the comedic and musical notes with ease. For her work, Streisand took home her only Academy Award. funny girlwinning the award for Best Actress, and she won her second Oscar a few years later for A star is born song "Evergreen".