Top-Tier Best Supporting Actor Winners (Oscars)
Once a year, I like to do an Oscar-themed write-up. As I have seen every Oscar-winning performance from the last 96 years, I thought revealing my top tier winning performances in all four categories.
The supporting category was not put in place until 1936, so there are only 88 Supporting performance winners.
I did eight tiers per category. Since the Supporting categories only have 88 performances, I did 11 per tier. The Lead performances have 12 per tier.
So, without further ado, here are the top 11 Best Supporting Actor Winning Performances. They’re ranked in chronological order.
George Sanders – All About Eve (1950)
All About Eve is an incredible film and Best Picture winner, in large part due to the script and the performances. George Sanders is probably the most outwardly evil character in the film, showing everyone has a price. All while speaking in that silky smooth voice.
Joel Grey – Cabaret (1972)
My personal favorite Best Supporting Actor winner. If George Sanders is outright evil, then Joel in Cabaret is almost a banality of evil. He’s just putting on a fun show!
That slowly morphs into criticizing the people that are being persecuted and killed. His performance becomes more haunting as the years pass.
Robert De Niro – The Godfather Part II (1974)
It must be nerve-racking to take on a role that was previously made iconic by an iconic actor. Yet, Robert De Niro makes Vito his own in his own way but keeps the spirit of Brando’s older iteration.
Not to mention, it’s in a language that is not native to De Niro. As we have seen this year (Selena Gomez in Emilia Perez), it is not always a showcase.
Timothy Hutton – Ordinary People (1980)
This ranks high in this category, even though it is a lead performance. Ordinary People is Timothy Hutton’s film, and it’s stupid that he went Supporting.
Of course, if he had, he would have lost to Robert De Niro for Raging Bull. Hutton gives a restrained performance inside a ball of emotion. It’s a powerhouse performance.
Haing S. Ngor – The Killing Fields (1984)
Sometimes, a great performance doesn’t feel like a performance at all. The Killing Fields is about the Khmer Rouge’s rule of Cambodia. Haing survived through Pol Pot’s Khmer Rogue’s rule of Cambodia.
However, just because you lived through something doesn’t mean you’d be good at acting in a movie about that subject. Haing is truly devastating as Pran; he has a perfect understanding of nuance and what to show vs not show.
Joe Pesci – Goodfellas (1990)
Sometimes, there is a supporting performance that is a firecracker. Joe Pesci is like a Tasmanian devil, running through the Mob world with nothing but anger and violence.
However, what he does that sets him apart from the many imitators is the anger and violence is calculated. We understand his character and his motivations. Moreover, he’s hilarious.
Javier Bardem – No Country for Old Men (2007)
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is Javier’s cold, quiet, and calculating villain in one of the Coen’s masterpieces.
He’s as menacing with a look as he is in his conversations with people. His performance and haircut created an iconic movie villain that will live forever.
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight (2008)
It feels like one of the most portrayed characters on screen is the Joker. When you have a character like that, how do you make it your own?
Well, Heath Ledger figured that one out. He elevates this film from good to great. Every time he is off-screen, you’re thinking about when he’ll be back. The definition of a supporting performance.
Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Tarantino knows how to get the best out of his actors. His ability to direct them mixed with his dialogue. Add all this to the fact that no one in America knew who Christoph Waltz was and you’ve got a recipe for a Holy Shit performance. All you have to do is watch the opening sequence to know this is an all-time performance. It gives me chills thinking about the scene.
Christian Bale – The Fighter (2010)
Of course, most of these performances steal the show. That’s how they end up winning the Oscar for Supporting. But I bet if you ask most people what is the first thing they think of when you think about the movie The Fighter, they’d say Christian Bale. It’s transformative, emotive, and emotional. Incredible and scene-stealing.
Mahershala Ali – Moonlight (2016)
Unlike the last three, Mahershala is quiet and warm in Moonlight. A guiding light for a lost child. When he disappears halfway through the film, his presence is felt all throughout. Even when Juan is not on screen, he shapes who Chiron becomes. Juan/Mahershala is the film.
