Oscar Nominees’ First Notable Roles

Before you can become an astronaut and go into space with George Clooney, you have to be stuck on a bus that can't go faster than 50 MPH. Or that's at least what Hollywood has taught me. I didn't include bit parts, television show appearances, or theater roles, and it's worth nothing that two first-time nominees, Lupita Nyong'o and Barkhad Abdi, have never really been in anything before their stunning performances in 12 Years a Slave and Captain Phillips, respectively, so kudos to them. You've come along way, babies. Except you, Lupita and Barkhad. You were great from the start.

BEST ACTOR
Christian Bale, nominated for Irving Rosenfeld, American Hustle

First known for: Jamie Graham, Empire of the Sun

Bruce Dern, nominated for Woody, Nebraska

First known for: Captain Bob Hyde, Coming Home

Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street

First known for: Arnie Grape in What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Chiwetel Ejiofor, nominated for Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave

First known for: Peter, Love Actually

Matthew McConaughey, nominated for Ron Woodroof, Dallas Buyers Club

First known for: David Wooderson, Dazed and Confused

BEST ACTRESS
Amy Adams, nominated for Sydney Prosser, American Hustle

First known for: Ashley, Junebug

Cate Blanchett, nominated for Jasmine, Blue Jasmine

First known for: Elizabeth I, Elizabeth

Sandra Bullock, nominated for Dr. Ryan Stone, Gravity

First known for: Annie Porter, Speed

Judi Dench, nominated for Philomena, Philomena

First known for: M, Golden Eye

Meryl Streep, nominated for Violet Weston, August: Osage County

First known for: Linda, Deerhunter

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Barkhad Abdi, nominated for Muse, Captain Phillips

First known for: n/a

Bradley Cooper, nominated for Richie DiMasio, American Hustle

First known for: Jeff, Wet Hot American Summer

Michael Fassbender, nominated for Edwin Epps, 12 Years a Slave

First known for: Bobby Sands, Hunger

Jonah Hill, nominated for Donnie Azoff, The Wolf of Wall Street

First known for: Seth, Superbad

Jared Leto, nominated for Rayon, Dallas Buyers Club

First known for: Angel Face, Fight Club

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sally Hawkins, nominated for Ginger, Blue Jasmine

First known for: Poppy, Happy-Go-Lucky

Jennifer Lawrence, nominated for Rosalyn Rosenfeld, American Hustle

First known for: Ree, Winter's Bone

Lupita Nyong'o, nominated for Patsey, 12 Years a Slave

First known for: n/a

Julia Roberts, nominated for Barbara Weston, August: Osage County

First known for: Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, Steel Magnolias

June Squibb, nominated for Kate Grant, Nebraska

First known for: Helen Schmidt, About Schmidt

Nadia Chaudhury will always associate Christian Bale with Newsies.