The nominations for the 2023 Oscars Best Actor category have been announced, and it’s an exciting lineup of newcomers. This is the first time since 1935 that all the nominees are first-time contenders. Austin Butler, who plays Elvis in the film “Elvis,” is the favorite to win, followed by Brendan Fraser for his role in “The Whale.”
The other nominees include Colin Farrell for “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Paul Mescal for “Aftersun,” and Bill Nighy for “Living.” Nighy is the oldest nominee in this category’s history, while Mescal is the eleventh-youngest contender ever and has a chance to become the youngest winner in the category’s history.
If Farrell or Mescal wins, they would become the first Irish-born actor to win this award. The last Irish lead male nominee was Liam Neeson in 1994, with the last from outside Northern Ireland being Richard Harris in 1991. The only native Irish performers who have won any acting Oscars at all are supporting champs and fellow Dubliners Barry Fitzgerald and Brenda Fricker.
The lineup of nominees also features three European-born actors, including Nighy, Farrell, and Mescal, making it the third Best Actor roster in six years to include three or more European-born nominees. The 2021 majority of this kind involved Welshman Anthony Hopkins and Englanders Riz Ahmed and Gary Oldman, while the 2018 one was composed of London natives Oldman, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Daniel Kaluuya.
Butler and Mescal could both make history with their potential wins. Butler would be the second lead champion to represent the 1990s after Jennifer Lawrence in 2013, while Mescal has a shot at surpassing Adrien Brody as the category’s youngest winner ever.
It’s an exciting year for the Best Actor category, with a diverse group of contenders. But regardless of who takes home the trophy, this year’s nominees have already made their mark in Hollywood history. The 95th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place tonight at 8pm (EDT).