Actors Playing Actors at the Oscars
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 8:00AM 
To watch an actor play another performer is a pleasure. There's wonderment to be found in these Matryoshkas of acting within acting, be it the porn inexpressiveness of Julianne Moore in Boogie Nights or the desperate showboating of Judy Garland in A Star Is Born. Not surprisingly, if we peruse the history of the Academy Awards, we'll find numerous instances of thespians nominated for giving life to fictional actors or real-life stars of the past. Perhaps no other profession is so generously dramatized in the annals of acting awards.
This season, Renée Zellweger won the Best Actress trophy for resurrecting the ghost of Garland for one final performance. There were two other actors-as-actors performances nominated. While we don't see much of Scarlett Johansson's Nicole onstage, her profession as an actress is a central part of the characterization in Marriage Story. On the other hand we see Leonardo DiCaprio's Rick Dalton at work, and layers of performance unraveling in glorious Panavision.
After the jump a quick trip through Oscar history of actors who won gold playing other actors…
EMIL JANNINGS, THE LAST COMMAND
Best Actor, 1928
KATHARINE HEPBURN, MORNING GLORY
Best Actress, 1933
RONALD COLMAN, DOUBLE LIFE
Best Actor, 1947
BARBRA STREISAND, FUNNY GIRL
Best Actress, 1968 (tied with Katharine Hepburn in The Lion in the Winter)
RICHARD DREYFUSS, THE GOODBYE GIRL
Best Actor, 1977
MAGGIE SMITH, CALIFORNIA SUITE
Best Supporting Actress, 1978
JESSICA LANGE, TOOTSIE
Best Supporting Actress, 1982
DIANNE WIEST, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY
Best Supporting Actress, 1994
MARTIN LANDAU, ED WOOD
Best Supporting Actor, 1994
GWYNETH PALTROW, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Best Actress, 1998
CATE BLANCHETT, THE AVIATOR
Best Supporting Actress, 2004
JEAN DUJARDIN, THE ARTIST
Best Actor, 2011
EMMA STONE, LA LA LAND
Best Actress, 2016
RENÉE ZELLWEGER, JUDY
Best ACtress, 2019
For brevity's sake, we didn't include any characters who are more singers than actors. The same goes for vaudeville comedians and cabaret performers, among a panoply of other similar folks. Still, we can safely say the Academy has a type when it comes to what it considers Oscar-worthy roles. In any case, we now welcome Renée Zellweger's Judy Garland to this list of sterling achievements. Did you applaud that particularly victory on Sunday night?
Reader Comments (32)
Not a fan. She was not bad but best of the year? I missed charisma and unmistakable star quality. It seemed more impression than performance. I think this will be a forgettable win.
Bette Davis won for playing an actress in Dangerous :)
Fine performance, boring win. Fell asleep during the speech. Literally. She went on for ages.
i didn't see Judy the film, so I'm not sure I should even comment here, but I did form some opinions from seeing clips and ads. Zellweger didn't look enough like Judy, and I doubt I would like her portrayal. She is one of my least favorite actresses. I imagine I will see the film anyway when it comes to streaming.
*Sigh* Jessica and Gwyneth... So pretty! <3
Hi Claudio. I can't seem to get Nathaniel's acknowledgement, but there was an interesting comment worth considering in the “Final Oscar Predictions!” thread by (dun dun dun) /3rtful for when he does a personal piece on Zellweger's win. I know you read the threads diligently and with timeliness so if you could pass word along that would be great. Also pass along the feedback that you are doing probably the best quality work on here and I hope he knows what an invaluable asset he has found and nurtured in you.
(And the welcoming of Zellweger to " to this list of sterling achievements" is either showing true class or, from this site's history, great shade actually deployed in a humorous way. So extra bravo.)
For me these days, it comes down to whether or not they're playing a real actor or a scripted one. I'm tired of biopic roles or gimmick characters having to win Best Actress and Best Actor almost every year. It's getting boring. And in some cases, truly irritating (i.e. Malek for his toothy impression work).
Speaking of Malek, I'd love to hear the evaluations/opinions of Malek v Zellweger. Where they both superficial and nothing more? Did both have great moments or just Renee. Renee had relatively weak, or no other contender was compelling enough to stop her (in what was set up in the press before release to be a failure. And had mediocre reviews, so she really must've struck a chord with voters to get all that momentum) competition in my opinion
One of my favorite performances of an actor role was Marsha Mason's in Only When I Laugh. She should have won the Oscar. She was also nominated for Chapter Two, another instance where she played an actress of a much different variety.
I’m not a huge fan, but I like Zellweger and am fine with her win given the nominees. If Nyong’o was nominated it would be another story. I had a lot of problems with Judy (the film), but I thought the central performance was great. Ronan was solid in an ensemble film where she wasn’t even the standout, and I feel like she’s been better. Erivo was solid in a so-so film. Johansson was very good in a film I loved, but her character never quite cohered (not her fault), and Driver’s excellent performance overshadowed hers (imo). I may have *slightly* preferred Theron to Zellweger, but I didn’t feel like Theron’s work was undeniable, and she’s already won anyway. Interestingly, everyone I know who has seen Judy thought Zellweger was great — even if they hated the film. And most of the reviews offered high praise for her performance (with a few outliers of course) even if the film didn’t get a rapturous reception. Not sure where this perception that she got “mediocre reviews” comes from.
Anyway, I thought Zellweger‘s speech was a bit rambling but was overall classy and sweet. I do think she’s been undervalued as an actress, so I’m happy for her comeback and hope it leads to good opportunities for her. It’s a bit strange that she has two Oscars, but if she were to only have one I’d take back her Cold Mountain win instead of this.
...or the desperate showboating of Judy Garland in A Star Is Born
Would you mind elaborating? In all my viewings of the film, I’ve never considered anything Judy/Esther/Vicki does as showboating, especially not in the scene where she tries to keep her husband entertained.
Working stiff -- I don't mean that negatively. To me, she's showing off her talents to try to entertain her husband in that miraculous scene. It's playacting as a showboating star but there's an edge of despair to her behavior, anguish curdling even the brightest spectacle. I've watched nearly every performance nominated for Best Actress (I think I still have 11 left) and Judy Garland's work in A Star is Born is my favorite of the bunch, so be assured I wasn't casting aspersions on her achievement.
whunk -- I am tired of the biopic-palooza that has been dominating the Oscar race for the past few years too. Sometimes the performances aren't the problem, but the movies are usually little else than an excuse to gawk at some celebrity impersonation.
The T -- First of all, thank you for the positive feedback and compliments. I wasn't throwing shade at anyone, simply trying to sound more positive. I realize all the negativity about Renée's win may be hard to swallow for the fans of the actress that rightfully want to celebrate her victory.
Regarding /3rtful's comment, I'm not sure Nathaniel will write a piece about Renée's win. Asking for a response to a particular commentary on a piece that might never be written doesn't sound very productive. In any case, if you want my opinion on the matter, I've commented on the "Final Oscar Predictions" piece in response to the admittedly good comment by /3rtful.
The T -- i do know how great Claudio has been doing, yes. As for your wish that I address /3rtful's comment in that one thread. I went back and read it and . I really don't know what to say. /3rtful has been constantly ragging on Matthew McConaughey whenever his name comes up for years and I've found online that when any particular person hates an actor or actress, they project onto everyone else either their own feelings or the opposite so that they can be angry about something. So somehow he's gotten the idea that TFE worships McConaughey. Which is so so strange since we never have. We didn't push him to win for Dallas Buyers Club and he didnt deserve to (but yes we thought he was Oscar worthy the year prior for Magic Mike) and as a celebrity he is certainly annoying... so we've not exactly been a fan club.
so i'm not sure why that's a brilliant comment that you want addressed unless you have something specific you want said which...well, you'll always be disapopinted if you have something hyperspecific you want someone else to feel or say since they might not feel that or say that?
I totally agree (and have said so many times) that actresses have it harder than actors -- which is maybe the comment of his you want me to focus on? (i am at a loss at to what you want). But Renee is hardly a typical example for the general feelings about actresses on this site. I just dont happen to like her work very much but it's not because she's a woman. We all have performers we don't necessarily connect with or who rub us the wrong way. Mine just happens to be Renee. I can count on about one hand the actresses I *don't* like. And the actresses i love are in the hundreds/thousands.
I get that people think it's fun to say "karma for nathaniel" (as if i've hurt them or been particularly vicious as a writer in some way? Neither of which are true -- i've been openly complimentary about the best performances from actors I dont generally like - Renee is brilliant in Bridget Jones and Nurse Betty and a couple of other films and Hillary Swank was amazing in Boy Dont Cry) when an actor i dont like has two Oscars while routinely brilliant actors like Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Glenn Close and Amy Adams and Sigourney Weaver etcetera have none. But to me it always reads strange like -- why do people think that's fun that Oscar history is painful for me?
People thinking Renee's win is somehow (deserved) punishment for me is kind of hilariously bizarre to me ...but people gonna people.
"Not sure where this perception that she got “mediocre reviews” comes from."
Janet, I must confess TFE is my main movie source, along with maybe three or four other sites just below it and I only ever read "great performance, so-so film". Maybe you just have more reference points than most?
This feels like such a throwaway Oscar, particularly because three great actors won their first Oscars for acting for BP nominees in the other acting categories.
It should have been Scarlett or Saoirse's year.
@ Cláudio
I see what you mean now. Showboating just has a negative connotation built into its DNA ("...a slightly annoying form of behaviour..." Cambridge Dictionary).
Zellweger's work in Judy definitely surpassed Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody. She gave the character depth and humanity. But I still feel the work was overrated because she was playing an icon of cinema.
LOL at 'karma for Nathaniel'. It's just so silly. As Nathaniel said, he never did bad to her, just he doesn't like her. The problem is this site, which calls itself actressesxual and knows how hard it is to succeed in Hollywood, overshadows Zellweger triumphs. Sure, she is no classy girl and she's not the coolest girl in the room, but when she commits to a role she does wonders, as Roxie Hart and Bridget Jones. I have yet to see Judy but can't we just be happy for someone who had a terrible decade, was critized for surgery she may or may not have had, but finally had a silver linning and won an oscar? Also, I wonder what's dislikeable about her. She looks like a regular girl, way to regular for a movie star and not the kind of actress an auteur would look for, but she hasn't have hateful or polemic comments as far as I know. I like her as corky as she is.
It's so dismaying that Michael Keaton isn't on this list. The Academy will never live that one down.
I think Zellweger is one of the worst 2-times Oscar winner... From all the multiple Oscar winners for acting, there's at least one truly deserving win, but she has COLD MOUNTAIN and the overrated JUDY.
Love this list, and you are bringing back some good memories. Just wondering why Bette Davis for "All About Eve" is not listed. Seems like an oversight to what is otherwise a great collection.
"Don't speak" - Dianne Wiest still makes me laugh instantly, and is my favourite.
Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard or Bette Davis in all about Eve should have won. Their performances are magnificent.
Ana de Armas is playing Marilyn Monroe in Blonde.
Just saying.
Like others, I'm fine with Zellweger's win. She really does give a strong performance that captures Judy's star persona, while also showing us her own. In terms of biopic performances, it's a really smart way to do it and provides us with a really human character who still feels bigger than life.
Among this batch of nominees, Zellweger's win makes sense. However, if someone like Lupita had been nominated this win would taste quite sour to me. My biggest concern, for Zellwege is what does winning for this actually do for her career? It will be interesting to see if she's able to start getting better roles again.
Renee has won two Oscars and Nat has won nothing.
Sorry. But tired of the incessant Renee bashing,
Stupefy -- lol. please point me to "bashing" and definition thereof.
I'd love Scarjo or Saoirse to win too n i'm sure they will be nom again n win someday, but this is probably Renee's last chance at a Lead Oscar.
I dun rem this intense hate on Renee's win for Cold Mountain 16 yrs ago. To be fair, her Ruby was v well recv by audiences n critics back then n she was cited as the saving grace of an otherwise uneven movie. Her win back then oso hav an overdue narrative, esp when she came so close to a win for Chicago the previous yr.
The hate on her actually snowballed after her Oscar win when netizens criticised the Academy for snubbing Shohren Aghdasloo's perf in House of Sand n Fog, who they tink deserves the win more.
Renee actually took alotsa shit thrafter, which tbh is v unfair to her n her career nosedived soon after.
Tt is why her comeback in Judy is such a bittersweet victory!! I kno many o u is gonna roll yo eyes, but its true tt in the mind o many voters, a win for her is oso a win for Judy!! This IS a way to make up for Judy's 1954 loss n to honor her legacy.
This is on top of Renee's own comeback narrative + the fact tt many voters really luv n r moved by her perf, even thot they dun really luv the movie.
There is so much working in her favor n i'm v happy tt Renee finally gotten a Best Actress Oscar!! 😁
Judy may not be the perfect movie on the subject, but it was a celebration o her legacy. If her win brings more the younger generation n more pple to seek out Judy's movies n fall in luv w her magic, it'll be a win win situation! 😊
Let's not hate on Renee but let's celebrate tt an actress over 50 n considered over the hill is stlll able to win Best Actress!! ✌
Trivia: Had Judy won in 1954, do u tink Renee wld've won so easily this yr??
@ Claran - I actually wonder how much recognition Renee Zellweger would have had were her role not Garland but just a performer on her twilight
Nathaniel--I really don't know how you keep your cool. Some of these posters' comments are so ridiculous. Sigh.
"I'd love Scarjo or Saoirse to win too n i'm sure they will be nom again n win someday"
People always assume this about the consistently great actresses, and then we end up with Glenn/Michelle/Sigourney/Joan Allen/Gena Rowlands/Amy/Annette/Thelma Ritter/Barbara Stanwyck/Rosalind Russell/Deborah Kerr. (And for all the great Oscar-less actresses I mentioned, I'm sure I omitted twice as many.)
But yes, Renee has two now, one for a middling performance and one for a bad performance, and both in movies no one will care to rewatch. Meanwhile, Saoirse and Scarlett will be expected to be fantastic in order to win, because they're held to their own higher standard - unless they can do a Julianne Moore (a very rare feat, as we saw with Glenn's campaign last year) and win in a year with virtually no other competitors.
Flush that comment jules. Remember Nathaniel's woe is me, Julianne, who in 2009 and 2010 was likely number 6 outside of the nominees and kept doing good indie work, one two punched with Map to The Stars and Still Alice and won the statue. He had all but written her off then BAM! And though she didn't win, there was the same sentiment that Close would never get a nomination again. Both duing The Wife year and Albert Nobbs year! He writes off great actresses too quickly, not realising thatthe truly greats will at least flirt with a win (Close) or get it (Moore). bening and Weaver will have at least another competitive nomination and one could make like Moore and win!
Just like to say I love the fact that you are opinionated here Nathaniel and you do it in a wonderful respectful way ! Never loose that voice. Isn't that why we are all here to share, and discuss and praise and maybe blow off steam as no-one else around us cares as much as we .... ?
When the dust has settled this year will go down in history as one of the great ones ! We had such a fantastic diverse selection nominated for every taste: mainstream, tender, wacky, nostalgic ... and every one of them where done brilliantly in its own right... same applies for the actors and nominees (Banderas, Pryce !!!!) - maybe some of them where not on their most refined form but I bow down to all the winners ... yeah also Renee, I can absolutely live with that: there was no Toni or Glenn or Emily in sight, Luptia is settled with one and my favourite this year ScarJo got one extra nom. for Lost In Translation - so I'M ALRIGHT ;-) what a year !