The Greatest Showman #936 - Best Actor Competition

Applause, still applause.

As Meryl Streep's coronation unfolded, the Kodak Theater erupted in a wave of unending applause—a mighty, vigorous tribute. Regardless of whether Meryl could win the Venice Queen in the future or match Katharine Hepburn's record of four Best Actress Oscars, one thing was undeniable: Meryl had written her own legendary tale.

Meryl's incredible Oscar record earned her the tongue-in-cheek title "Oscar Cancer," a nickname reflecting both a joke and a form of recognition. She's become the biggest stumbling block for any actress vying for the Oscar's top honor. And it seems this title will continue to stick for a while.

Meryl and Colin exited the stage, leaving the Kodak Theater's guests momentarily stunned: What just happened?

Viola Davis, the top contender for Best Supporting Actress, was left frustrated. With only a Best Supporting Actress nod for The Help, and with no Best Actor or Director nominations, the film's Best Picture chances seemed dashed.

This meant the final showdown for Best Picture would now come down to Hugo, The Artist, The Descendants, and Midnight in Paris. For Midnight in Paris and Hugo, the battle for Best Director became their final hope. For The Artist and The Descendants, the pivotal contest for Best Actor would be the most significant hurdle of the night.

Best Actor, Best Actor.

It's often said that sometimes, Best Actress can be a bit unpredictable—a lucky win for an actress in a lean year, like Sandra Bullock in 2010, Marion Cotillard in 2008, or Reese Witherspoon in 2006. But the Best Actor category has always been a different kind of competition.

In the past decade, the battle for Best Actor at the Oscars has been a fierce contest of true talent. Only the strongest and most accomplished actors can claim the prize, and each winner has been universally acknowledged as deserving.

Why is Sean Penn's status so untouchable in Hollywood? Why does Philip Seymour Hoffman hold such a solid reputation in the industry? Why does Daniel Day-Lewis stand as a towering figure, even when PR accounts can't sway the Academy?

The answer is clear: absolute mastery of the Oscars. Since the awards season concept emerged in 1998, and the role of Academy public relations grew in importance, actors who dominated this space became virtually unbeatable.

Hollywood has seen its highs and lows—flourishing in the 1960s, struggling in the 1980s. Today, expectations for actors are well-defined. These expectations hold true for both actresses and actors.

First, age: The golden age for male actors is typically in their thirties or even after forty.

Historically, only about 10% of Best Actor nominees were under thirty when they first received a nomination. The average age of nominees is 43, a stark contrast to actresses, half of whom are under thirty when nominated for the first time.

Of the twenty-two Best Actor winners since the 1990s, nine were in their forties, four in their fifties, and eight in their thirties. The only winner under thirty was Adrien Brody, who was 29 years and 343 days old when he won for The Pianist.

Second, appearance: The youthful "handsome" actor is no longer the guaranteed winner. Icons like Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, and James Stewart, who won in their early thirties, are a thing of the past, unless they've aged into their roles.

Today's nominees reflect this shift. Paul Newman won a Lifetime Achievement Award before his first Best Actor win, and Leonardo DiCaprio struggled for years despite numerous nominations.

This year's Best Actor race is no less intense, but a shift in dynamics has changed the landscape of the awards season.

George Clooney (The Descendants), Brad Pitt (Moneyball), Gary Oldman (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), and Renly Hall (Crazy, Stupid, Love) all face off for the coveted award. Their competitive edge is undeniable, and this is shaping up to be the tightest race in recent memory.

Five years ago, Forest Whitaker triumphed over Peter O'Toole, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Will Smith. This year, the competition is even more intense—and more unpredictable.

In terms of age, George and Gary are in their fifties, Brad is in his forties, Jean is in his thirties, and Renly is in his twenties. This spans three generations, with a fascinating range of talent and experience.

In terms of appearance, four of the five nominees are considered handsome, with Gary being the outlier.

Based on age and appearance alone, Jean-Dujardin and Renly-Hall might seem like the underdogs. The conventional favorites are George and Brad, with their fame, connections, and consistent work in major films.

But the awards season has unfolded differently this year, and a shift in momentum has thrown everything into question.

Renly Hall, for example, made a strong impact with his role in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Though his character, Jacob, is an ordinary college student, the character resonated with audiences, echoing Woody Allen's work in Annie Hall. His strong performance and connection with Michelle Williams marked him as the leader among this year's Generation Y actors.

As the season continued, George Clooney and Brad Pitt emerged as the dominant forces in the competition, with performances in The Descendants and Moneyball both showcasing their acting chops. George's portrayal in The Descendants particularly caught the Academy's attention, solidifying his position.

Brad Pitt also made waves, not only with Moneyball but also with his performance in The Tree of Life, where his nuanced portrayal added depth to the film. His rise has been rapid, but it's clear that his journey to this point was marked by steady ambition.

Meanwhile, Jean-Dujardin's success with The Artist caught fire after its November release. The film, which made Jean a global sex symbol with his charm, classical elegance, and romantic French accent, placed him in the spotlight. His performance mirrored the glamour of old Hollywood stars, adding a sense of nostalgia to the awards season.

Finally, Gary Oldman's career was given a resurgence with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Though he was overlooked early in the awards season, Focus Features' PR campaign pushed him to the forefront, earning him his first Oscar nomination for his role as a spy—a category historically challenging to break into.

Thus, the final five nominees for Best Actor were set, with the competition heating up in unexpected ways.