20 of the Youngest Actors to Nab Oscar Nominations (Including One Record-Holder Who Was Nominated at Age 8!)

Mar. 15, 2025

Barry King/WireImage; Rick Rowell Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Age really is just a number when rounding out the nominees for theAcademy Awardsballot.Since films feature characters ranging from newborn babies to supernatural beings who have existed for hundreds or thousands of years, the actors playing them span from days to decades-old (plussome help from makeup and effects departments). Thoughprestige picturesoften feature themes aimed at adults, children are sometimes at the forefront of the story, leading to powerful performances from young actors at varying stages of their careers.The list below highlights young celebs who earned praise for a film debut while other actors had already been in the industry trenches for more than a decade — even though no one mentioned is over the age of 20.Ahead, here are some of the youngest acting nominees in Oscars history.

Age really is just a number when rounding out the nominees for theAcademy Awardsballot.

Since films feature characters ranging from newborn babies to supernatural beings who have existed for hundreds or thousands of years, the actors playing them span from days to decades-old (plussome help from makeup and effects departments). Thoughprestige picturesoften feature themes aimed at adults, children are sometimes at the forefront of the story, leading to powerful performances from young actors at varying stages of their careers.

The list below highlights young celebs who earned praise for a film debut while other actors had already been in the industry trenches for more than a decade — even though no one mentioned is over the age of 20.

Ahead, here are some of the youngest acting nominees in Oscars history.

01of 20

Justin Henry

Justin Henry arrives at the 52nd annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 14, 1980.Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Justin Henry, who playedMeryl StreepandDustin Hoffman’s son Billy in 1979’sKramer vs. Kramer, earned an Oscar nomination at just 8 years old for his part, which was also his first time acting. The nomination made him the youngest Oscar acting nominee of all time, a record he still holds.

02of 20

Quvenzhané Wallis

WhenQuvenzhané Walliswas nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance as Hushpuppy in 2012’sBeasts of the Southern Wild, she became the youngest-ever female actress to do so. Initially cast in the part when she was just 5 years old — the Louisiana native lied and said she was 6, the minimum age casting directors were looking at — Wallis was 9 years old when she received her Oscar nomination in 2013.

Wallis earned her nomination the same year as the woman who now holds the record for being the oldest Best Actress nominee —Emmanuelle Riva. At age 85, French actress Riva was nominated for 2012’sAmour.

03of 20Mary BadhamBest Actor winner Gregory Peck and Mary Badham at the 35th annual Academy Awards at the Civic Center in Santa Monica, Calif., on April 12, 1963.Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/GettyPlaying the iconic role of Scout Finch inTo Kill a MockingbirdalongsideGregory Peck’s Atticus, Mary Badham picked up a Best Supporting Actress nomination in 1962 at 10 years old.With no prior acting experience or credits to her name, Badham was Oscar-nominated for her feature film debut. She went on to appear on an episode ofDr. KildareandThe Twilight Zone, acted in two more films (both in 1966) and then retired from acting for almost 40 years. WhenTo Kill a Mockingbirdwasadapted into a Broadway play, Badhamattended a performancein 2019 and met with the cast.

03of 20

Mary Badham

Best Actor winner Gregory Peck and Mary Badham at the 35th annual Academy Awards at the Civic Center in Santa Monica, Calif., on April 12, 1963.Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty

Playing the iconic role of Scout Finch inTo Kill a MockingbirdalongsideGregory Peck’s Atticus, Mary Badham picked up a Best Supporting Actress nomination in 1962 at 10 years old.

With no prior acting experience or credits to her name, Badham was Oscar-nominated for her feature film debut. She went on to appear on an episode ofDr. KildareandThe Twilight Zone, acted in two more films (both in 1966) and then retired from acting for almost 40 years. WhenTo Kill a Mockingbirdwasadapted into a Broadway play, Badhamattended a performancein 2019 and met with the cast.

04of 20Tatum O’NealTatum O’Neal with her Best Supporting Actress Oscar at the 46th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 2, 1974.Ron Galella/WireImageTatum O’Nealis theyoungest Oscar winner of all time, winning the award for Best Supporting Actress at age 10 in 1974. Sheearned the honorfor her role inPaper Moon, starring opposite her famous father,Ryan O’Neal.Paper Moonwas Tatum’s first on-screen credit, while her dad had already been in the business for over a decade (with his own Best Actor Oscar nomination forLove Storyin 1971). Tatum went on to star in 1976’sThe Bad News Bearsand 1978’sInternational Velvet, transitioning from child roles to those of teen and later adult characters in her 50-plus-year acting career.

04of 20

Tatum O’Neal

Tatum O’Neal with her Best Supporting Actress Oscar at the 46th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 2, 1974.Ron Galella/WireImage

Tatum O’Nealis theyoungest Oscar winner of all time, winning the award for Best Supporting Actress at age 10 in 1974. Sheearned the honorfor her role inPaper Moon, starring opposite her famous father,Ryan O’Neal.

Paper Moonwas Tatum’s first on-screen credit, while her dad had already been in the business for over a decade (with his own Best Actor Oscar nomination forLove Storyin 1971). Tatum went on to star in 1976’sThe Bad News Bearsand 1978’sInternational Velvet, transitioning from child roles to those of teen and later adult characters in her 50-plus-year acting career.

05of 20

Quinn Cummings

Quinn Cummings attends the 50th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 3, 1978.Alan Berliner/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

Alan Berliner/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

06of 20

Abigail Breslin

Abigail Breslin attends the 79th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2007.Frazer Harrison/Getty

It wasn’t her first big-time role, but the 2006 filmLittle Miss Sunshinemade 10-year-oldAbigail Breslina household name with her character’s empoweringbeauty pageant dance routine to “Super Freak"and earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination.

07of 20

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin with her Best Supporting Actress Oscar at the 66th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 21, 1994.Anna Luken/Fotos International/Getty

08of 20Haley Joel OsmentHaley Joel Osment arrives at the 72nd annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 26, 2000.LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/GettyWhenHaley Joel Osmentnabbed a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for 1999’sThe Sixth Senseat age 11, audiences took note.Though it takes a special kind of kid to make “I see dead people” convincing, Osment was already an on-screen pro, having been acting for half his life already with more than two dozen credits before earning Academy recognition, including 1994’sForrest Gumpand major roles on two sitcoms (Thunder AlleyandThe Jeff Foxworthy Show).Osment hasn’t slowed down sinceThe Sixth Sense, also earning critical acclaim for playing a human-like robot child in 2001’sA.I. Artificial Intelligence. He does voice work in addition to on-screen acting in his 30-plus year career, includingportraying J.D. Vance onJimmy Kimmel Live!in 2024.

08of 20

Haley Joel Osment

Haley Joel Osment arrives at the 72nd annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 26, 2000.LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty

WhenHaley Joel Osmentnabbed a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for 1999’sThe Sixth Senseat age 11, audiences took note.

Though it takes a special kind of kid to make “I see dead people” convincing, Osment was already an on-screen pro, having been acting for half his life already with more than two dozen credits before earning Academy recognition, including 1994’sForrest Gumpand major roles on two sitcoms (Thunder AlleyandThe Jeff Foxworthy Show).

Osment hasn’t slowed down sinceThe Sixth Sense, also earning critical acclaim for playing a human-like robot child in 2001’sA.I. Artificial Intelligence. He does voice work in addition to on-screen acting in his 30-plus year career, includingportraying J.D. Vance onJimmy Kimmel Live!in 2024.

09of 20

Linda Blair

Linda Blair (center right) arrives at the 46th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 2, 1974.Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

The Academy rarely recognizes horror films. However, 1973’sThe Exorcistended up with 10 nominations, including Best Picture (a first for the genre) and Best Supporting Actress for then-13-year-oldLinda Blair.

Based on the William Peter Blatty novel of the same name, the story centers on a possessed young girl named Regan (Blair) and the two Catholic priests who perform an exorcism to rid Regan of the demon that has taken over her body.

10of 20Keisha Castle-HughesKeisha Castle-Hughes arrives at the 76th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 29, 2004.SGranitz/WireImageNominated at age 13 for playing Paikea Apirana in 2002’sWhale Rider,Keisha Castle-Hugheswas, at one point, the youngest Best Actress nominee in history, holding that record from 2004 to 2013 until Wallis took the mantle.In her acting debut, New Zealander Castle-Hughes was not only the youngest nominee ever in her category but also the first Māori actor of Tainui and Ngāpuhi descent to be nominated for an Oscar.Castle-Hughes has continued acting, playing the Queen of Naboo in 2005’sStar Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sithand Obara Sand on three seasons ofGame of Thrones. She has starred as FBI Special Agent Hana Gibson on CBS’FBI: Most Wantedsince 2020.

10of 20

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Keisha Castle-Hughes arrives at the 76th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 29, 2004.SGranitz/WireImage

Nominated at age 13 for playing Paikea Apirana in 2002’sWhale Rider,Keisha Castle-Hugheswas, at one point, the youngest Best Actress nominee in history, holding that record from 2004 to 2013 until Wallis took the mantle.

In her acting debut, New Zealander Castle-Hughes was not only the youngest nominee ever in her category but also the first Māori actor of Tainui and Ngāpuhi descent to be nominated for an Oscar.

Castle-Hughes has continued acting, playing the Queen of Naboo in 2005’sStar Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sithand Obara Sand on three seasons ofGame of Thrones. She has starred as FBI Special Agent Hana Gibson on CBS’FBI: Most Wantedsince 2020.

11of 20

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 24, 2008.Steve Granitz/WireImage

12of 20Jodie FosterJodie Foster during the 49th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on March 28, 1977.Ron Galella/WireImageBorn in 1962,Jodie Foster’s first on-screen credit came in 1969, and she amassed nearly 30 more before playing Iris, a teenage sex worker in theMartin Scorsese-directed 1976 filmTaxi Driver. She was only 12 years old during filming, with the star-turning role leading to a shift in her career from child actor to more mature roles. Foster received her first Oscar nomination (Best Supporting Actress) for the part at age 14.Although she didn’t win the Academy Award forTaxi Driver, Foster has since earned two Best Actress Oscars — while under the age of 30 — for playing rape survivor Sarah Tobias in 1988’sThe Accusedand FBI trainee Clarice Starling in 1991’sThe Silence of the Lambs. She was nominated again for Best Actress in 1995 for the titularNelland Best Supporting Actress in 2024 for portraying real-life athletic coachBonnie StollinNyad.

12of 20

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster during the 49th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on March 28, 1977.Ron Galella/WireImage

Born in 1962,Jodie Foster’s first on-screen credit came in 1969, and she amassed nearly 30 more before playing Iris, a teenage sex worker in theMartin Scorsese-directed 1976 filmTaxi Driver. She was only 12 years old during filming, with the star-turning role leading to a shift in her career from child actor to more mature roles. Foster received her first Oscar nomination (Best Supporting Actress) for the part at age 14.

Although she didn’t win the Academy Award forTaxi Driver, Foster has since earned two Best Actress Oscars — while under the age of 30 — for playing rape survivor Sarah Tobias in 1988’sThe Accusedand FBI trainee Clarice Starling in 1991’sThe Silence of the Lambs. She was nominated again for Best Actress in 1995 for the titularNelland Best Supporting Actress in 2024 for portraying real-life athletic coachBonnie StollinNyad.

13of 20

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld arrives at the 83rd annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2011.Lester Cohen/WireImage

Hailee Steinfeldnabbed the biggest role of her career when she was just 13 years old, as Mattie Ross in the Coen Brothers' 2010 filmTrue Grit.At 14, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress — though arguably her role, as a girl searching for her father’s murderer in the Wild West, was a lead part.

ThoughTrue Gritwasn’t her first on-screen acting gig, the Western marked Steinfeld’s feature film debut. She’s gone on to have a huge career, joining thePitch Perfectfranchisefor the second and third installments.

14of 20

River Phoenix

Martha Plimpton and River Phoenix arrive at the 61st annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 29, 1989.Barry King/WireImage

Barry King/WireImage

He became a first-time Oscar nominee while still a teen for the 1988 Sidney Lumet-directedRunning on Empty, playing the oldest son in a fugitive family who wants a life of his own that isn’t one on the run.

An acclaimed young actor froma family full of talent(his siblings include actorJoaquin Phoenixand musicianRain Phoenix), River tragicallydied from a drug overdosewhen he was 23.

15of 20

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio arrives at the 66th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 21, 1994.Barry King/WireImage

The first ofLeonardo DiCaprio’ssix nominations for acting(he’s got a seventh for producing) came when he was just a few years into what has since become a 30-plus-year career.

DiCaprio wouldn’t win an Oscar for acting until his fifth rodeo, named Best Actor in 2016 forThe Revenant. He was nominated again in 2020 forOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywood,and it’s safe to assume the star will likely appear on Oscar ballots down the line, as he is one of the biggest success stories for child actors who seamlessly transitioned into adult roles.

16of 20

Timothy Hutton

Timothy Hutton poses with his Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the 53rd annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 31, 1981.Bettmann/Getty

Bettmann/Getty

ThoughTimothy Hutton’s first on-screen appearance was an uncredited role in one of his father’s films (1965’sNever Too Late), his proper feature film debut in 1980’sOrdinary Peoplewas what earned him his first Oscar nomination — andwin— for Best Supporting Actor.

Hutton held his own in the film alongside veteran actorsMary Tyler Moore,Donald SutherlandandJudd HirshforRobert Redford’s first directorial outing, which ended up winning four Oscars (including Best Picture). He holds the record for being the youngest winner in the supporting actor category at 20, with the next closest actors on the list being almost a decade older.

17of 20

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley arrives at the 78th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on March 5, 2006.Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty

Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty

Knightley was nominated again in 2015 for her supporting performance inThe Imitation Gameas real-life cryptanalyst and numismatist Joan Clarke.

18of 20

Elliot Page

Elliot Page arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in L.A. on Feb. 24, 2008.Steve Granitz/WireImage

Steve Granitz/WireImage

A feature film career soon blossomed for Page, leading indies (2005’sHard CandyandMouth to Mouth) and becoming a superhero (Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat in 2006’sX-Men: The Last Stand) before landing the titular role in 2007’sJuno, for which he was nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress at age 20.

Pagecame out as transgenderin 2020, sharing that his preferred pronouns are “he/they.” Since his Oscar nomination, Page’s on-screen career has included a steady stream of big-budget blockbusters such asChristopher Nolan’sInception, 2023’sClose to Youand the popular Netflix seriesThe Umbrella Academy.

19of 20

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the 83rd annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2011.Kevin Mazur/WireImage

20of 20

Lucas Hedges

“It’s just simply not real,” hetoldThe Hollywood Reporterin 2017 after the nominations came out. “It can’t be real. There’s just no way!”

source: people.com