The Academy Awards are held every year to reward the best in cinematic achievement from the past year. Among the varied awards presented, one that stands out as the gold standard is the Academy Award for Best Actor. This honor is given to a single individual every year who is recognized for delivering a truly memorable performance.
The list below showcases some of the best Oscar-winning performances in cinematic history, giving recognition to some of the best films and actors in the business.
- The Irishman (2019) – Best Actor, Joe Pesci
The most recent addition to this list is The Irishman, starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. The movie is a crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Steven Zaillian. In the film, Pesci plays the role of mob-affiliated hitman Frank Sheeran and gives a powerful performance that got him the 2019 Best Actor Oscar.
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) – Best Actor, Jack Nicholson
This classic drama directed by Miloš Forman is based on the book of the same name by Ken Kesey. It stars Jack Nicholson in the leading role of Randle McMurphy and a fiercely-talented supporting cast. Nicholson was rewarded with the Best Actor Oscar for his extraordinary performance and the movie is highly regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
- The Godfather: Part II (1974) – Best Actor, Al Pacino
The sequel to the iconic first installment of The Godfather saga was released in 1974, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and with Al Pacino in the lead role of Michael Corleone. Pacino brought the character to life with his intense performance and was given the Best Actor Oscar for this movie.
- American Beauty (1999) – Best Actor, Kevin Spacey
American Beauty is a dark comedy film directed by Sam Mendes and starring Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham. The powerful performance of Spacey as he navigates an uncomfortable suburban life was masterful, and he was rewarded with the Best Actor Oscar for his artistry.
- My Left Foot (1989) – Best Actor, Daniel Day-Lewis
My Left Foot is a biographical film directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis as the Irish cerebral palsy victim and writer Christy Brown. Day-Lewis did an incredible job of transforming into the role and won the Best Actor Oscar as a result.
- Forrest Gump (1994) – Best Actor, Tom Hanks
The iconic Forrest Gump is a classic drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks as the titular character. Hanks delivers an unforgettable performance filled with memories of war, love and friendship, and he was rewarded with the Best Actor Oscar for his artistry.
- The Sting (1973) – Best Actor, Paul Newman
The Sting is a classic crime comedy from 1973, directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman as the con-man Johnny Hooker. He delivers an incredibly entertaining performance which earned him the prestigious Best Actor Oscar.
- Midnight Cowboy (1969) – Best Actor, Jon Voight
This classic drama directed by John Schlesinger and starring Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman is one of the best movies ever produced. Voight’s moving performance as the lonesome drifter Joe Buck earned him the Best Actor Oscar, a truly well-deserved award.
- Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) – Best Actor, Dustin Hoffman
Kramer vs. Kramer is a critically acclaimed drama directed by Robert Benton and starring Dustin Hoffman as the titular character. He delivers a spectacular performance as a husband and father to a young son and Hoffman was rewarded with the Best Actor Oscar for his artistry.
- The King’s Speech (2010) – Best Actor, Colin Firth
The King’s Speech is a historical drama directed by Tom Hooper and starring Colin Firth as King George VI. He gives an outstanding performance as the stuttering British monarch and was awarded the Best Actor Oscar for his powerful performance.
The list above showcases some truly great Oscar-winning performances from some of the best actors in film. Each of these movies features outstanding performances and every one of them is worth a watch. From the iconic The Godfather: Part II to the more recent The Irishman, these movies have become part of cinematic history and deserve to be seen by any movie buff.
