Winona Ryder and the Elusive Oscar | Why She's Never Won

Winona Ryder has received two Oscar nominations throughout her iconic career, but she still has never been victorious at the Academy Awards. In this video, I break down her many phenomenal performances and discuss the reasons why she's never won an Oscar. #winonaryder #oscars #academyawards #brianrowevideo #elusiveoscar
THE AWARDS CONTENDER ON PATREON
Exclusive Videos, Vote for Elusive Oscar, and More!
/ theawardscontender
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY BRIAN ROWE
/ mrbrianrowe
/ mrbrianrowe
FOR ALL INQUIRIES:
[e-mail]
MUSIC
Parting of the Ways - Part 1 by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: filmmusic.io/standard-license
FILM AT FIFTY PODCAST
filmatfifty.com/
bit.ly/3dEqeV9

[@poett8875]

I would’ve nominated her for her performance in “Girl, Interrupted.” I thought she was brilliant. The entire cast was really great tbh.

[@mr29]

Brittany Murphy was incredible in the film as well.

[@tylerkochman1007]

@@mr29 the whole cast was

[@tylerkochman1007]

I always had always wrongly assumed that she WAS until a few years ago

[@rerrpr]

@@mr29 and a very young Elizabeth Moss 😊

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed!! What a performance!

[@mrqs1549]

It’s a shame that Winona never won an Oscar. We love you Winona!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed!

[@Jared_Wignall]

She should have been nominated for Girl, Interrupted. Whether she would have won or not is a different discussion, but she was amazing in that film. It’s still surprising she’s only been nominated twice. She’s very talented and has given a good number of excellent performances. Thanks for the video Brian, this was cool to watch on my birthday. Take care!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Happy belated birthday, glad you liked it!

[@Jared_Wignall]

@@TheAwardsContender thank you very much and yeah man. You always make great videos!

[@joseluismeloconcepcion2021]

I see her pulling a Laura Dern moment in a few years. I believe her eventual win will be for a perfectly timed performance in some dark comedy or psychological thriller or drama playing some damaged character and giving memorable quotes. I think that she should focus on TV and Streaming to gain momentum and recognition from the public so her movies can start to pull audiences. She definitely has the talent and potential for a great come back and most definitely has the versatility to play different characters and genres and is long overdue for some award love and appreciation. She deserves winning an Oscar and I know she will win it and it won't feel like a hand out. It will feel earned and deserved.

[@TheAwardsContender]

That would be so awesome!!

[@MrHootiedean]

My favorite performance was as Abigail Williams in The Crucible, an Oscar worthy turn if I ever saw one. My least favorite was as May Welland in The Age of Innocence, one of my favorite books/movies. Winona is an interesting actor with a more interesting life story. Most of her period dramas (save for Little Women) feel like a girl playing dress up. For me she's always been more effective playing the strengths and vulnerabilities of the modern woman as in Mermaids, Edward Scissorhands and Stranger Things. She was also one of the first people to call out Mel Gibson's racism in the press but no one paid attention because of her shoplifting history. One of a kind for sure!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Love your commentary about her, thanks for sharing!

[@samuelcroft3478]

I completely agree. I've never really been able to buy her in period dramas (which is unfortunate, as she did quite a few of them in the 90s), and always felt she was much more at home in quirky, edgy, decidedly modern projects like Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, and Black Swan. In a way I feel like Hollywood just didn't know what to do with her after the mid-90s.

[@rerrpr]

Words fail me on how much I admire and love her work. Her approach to the roles is so natural, grounded and full of little nuances. And those eyes… Her small turn on Black Swan, was a scene stealer. Those 2-3 scenes were amazing. She was stunning on Age, delicious in Little Women… I really hope she can find good proper roles again. She is terrific.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed!! So well put, she’s fantastic!

[@rerrpr]

@@TheAwardsContender thank you very much !

[@danielle2661]

Winona is such an interesting actress. I really admire the career she has carved out for herself.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Same, love her!

[@rzeitouneh]

With all the amazing work she’s been doing on TV lately, can we get Winona an Emmy already? Again, she should have been nominated for both Stranger Things and The Plot Against America by now.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed!! How did she not get an Emmy nod for the first season?!?

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

Plus primus made a song about her In the early 90's.

[@meadow9441]

Unique actress who needs to get more (unique) roles. In some ways I feel Hollywood doesn’t write good parts for people like her anymore.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed, she has shown in Stranger Things that she can absolutely nail a great part when given one.

[@DJarvis1987]

It's ironic how Winona Ryder and Keira Knightly have a striking resemblance, and their careers initially took a similar trajectory. Despite generating Oscar buzz, they both seemed to vanish from the limelight.

[@kareninacarado]

Oh good notice! One thing about Keira is that she’s done more Oscar-bait projects especially period dramas (hence, she’s called the Queen of Period Dramas), although only two of those got her nominations. Keira’s still actively working today although she’s slowed down a bit due to raising her two kids. She’s still a notable name but her star somewhat faded, due partly to the rise of other British actresses in her age range and league - the likes of Carey Mulligan, Vanessa Kirby, Rosamund Pike, etc., and even older actresses like Olivia Colman get more plum roles that may be first considered for Keira. She’s considered too old for other period drama roles (the ones that get booked by Saoirse Ronan) but too young for the “dame” roles. She’d probably need to pivot to either doing more terrestrial British TV (the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 - Kate Winslet recently won a BAFTA TV Award for a Channel 4 TV movie) or return to the West End (apart from Ruth Wilson, there isn’t a lot of late 30’s or early 40’s famous UK actress doing stage work, as many of them are on streaming). Hoping Brian will do an Elusive Oscar video about Keira Knightley!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, they do look kind of alike!

[@alexflowers97]

⁠@@kareninacaradoyes a Keira elusive oscar vid please

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

I think it's Natalie Portman who has the stronger resemblance to Keira Knightley.

[@eamonndeane587]

​@@kareninacaradoSurprises me that Keira Knightley hasn't gone on to do a prestige HBO Miniseries yet.

[@chrishowson3243]

I love Anna Paquin’s win…. But I think Winona deserved that win

[@TheAwardsContender]

I’m fine either way, but a win for Ryder would’ve been amazing!

[@joem5909]

No lie, growing up I had a huge celebrity crush on Winona. Always hope she gets another shot at the Oscar.

[@TheAwardsContender]

She’s beautiful!

[@SquirtlePower809]

She was SOOOOOO GOOD in Little Women!! Seriously, that role is unbelievable how she is able to carry that whole film through so many different turns in the story and time shifts. It's astounding.

[@MrBdiddypop]

I think it had to be Reality Bites. She was the “it” girl for that period. There’s a reason that she inspired a ton of songs by indie alt groups.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Great movie!

[@irina1296]

My lovely Winona is among 6 actresses I adore with passion! She definitely should have been nominated for The Crucible, Girl, Interrupted and The Iceman. Really loved her in Experimenter (2015).

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, great performance!

[@joselgarlitos6368]

she is the face of the 90s! love her in Little Women, Mermaids, How To Make An American Quilt. hope she does more work and an Oscar comeback soon!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed, she’s amazing!

[@joeyknox733]

Her and Christina ricci

[@nycgallagher8453]

What an actress dude , love her.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Same!

[@kelfincher5232]

After seeing the clip of Alfre Woodard presenting an award in this video, I thought about how an Elusive Oscar vid for her would be great. She has been over looked for decades.

[@jesusangelespinosasalgado9430]

Absolutely... Clemency being the most recent one

[@TheAwardsContender]

YES

[@luistorres3220]

I find these videos compelling but, to say Anna Paquin won because of overall love for The Piano is a complete disservice to her stunning performance! First time I saw that movie I was in awe of her and her amazing work and I didnt even know at the time she had won.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Very true!! It’s a great performance!

[@theorderofthebees7308]

Winona is Iconic ❤

[@gabrielcastaneda9700]

She was apparently suppose to be in shakespear in love but apparently Gwenth stole the script from her. And got the part

[@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719]

😮

[@lauralunaazul]

Really?

[@TheAwardsContender]

What??? Interesting!

[@joeyknox733]

Gwenyth fucked Harvey for that part and than thanked him during her Oscar speech

[@gabrielcastaneda9700]

@@TheAwardsContenderyeah supposedly that’s what ruined their friendship cuz Paltrow took it to her parents and they got her in

[@sammygirl6910]

I waited on Winona and Johnny Depp in Baltimore when he was filming Crybaby. I was seriously starstruck by her. He was just the guy from 21 Jump Street. She was freaking Veronica Sawyer and Lydia Deetz!!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

That’s awesome!

[@alexkersh5138]

Great video Brian! I feel like Winona had the same issue as Jamie Lee Curtis did, giving her best performances in movies that the oscars typically glance over. Like how cool would it have been if Winona won for Edward Scissorhands or Heather, and Jamie Lee Curtis won for Freaky Friday and True Lies. I do hope EEOAO does spark a change in what the oscars consider "award worthy." This was a wonderful tribute video to one of my favourite actresses and one of my childhood crushes!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yay, glad you liked it!

[@alexflowers97]

😂😂😂😂Freaky Friday😂😂😂😂

[@pdgf]

Winona Forever!

[@TheAwardsContender]

❤️❤️❤️

[@MrMcsia]

0:18 Angela Basset was amazing as Tina Turner but Holly Hunter fully deserved the Oscar that year for "The Piano". She even played the Piano pieces herself, not to mention her brilliant acting.

[@lauralunaazul]

Holly Hunter is one of the best,really.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Fair enough, Hunter is outstanding as well!

[@sharonalbanese8084]

Just one of those years with 2 amazing performances. If it had been another year, I'm sure AB would've won.

[@beamanact]

Ryder also gives a really smart and elegant performance in the British series, "Worricker," holding her own with amazing actors Bill Nighy and Christopher Walken.

[@mocknburd23]

I love Winona Ryder! But you never mentioned "1969" which was the first movie I saw her in. I thought it was her first movie (maybe it wasn't) because the opening credits said "Introducing Winona Ryder." I liked it a lot, and had a great cast, with Keifer Sutherland, Robert Downey, Jr., Brude Dern and Mariette Hartley.

[@TheRec012]

Love the video indeed, Winona is very underrated praying 🙏 one day we can see her winning that Oscar.

[@TheAwardsContender]

I would love that! Thanks for watching!

[@bev9708]

Yet another awesome choice of subject and awesome video Brian, bloody well done!!! I remember at the time in Looking for Richard, when Al Pacino said there was only one person of her age at that time with enough talent to pull off Lady Anne in his production of Shakespeare’s Richard III, it made me look at her with with even more respect, what a glowing compliment!!! Looking forward to the Sairose Ronan vid, even if it still seems a little early in her career yet!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thanks, Bev, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertqld]

The 1993 Oscars where also the first one I watched! Being in Australia, we heard about the winners before they showed a delayed telecast. And I was fascinated also with a kid my age winning! If always thought Winona and Rosie partially cancelled each other other, allowing Anna to come up the middle (for all the reasons you mentioned). Great work though! Love your videos!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Great point, thanks for watching!

[@Mark-lx6hg]

Brian is feeding us good with these videos love it ❤️

[@bev9708]

He really spoils us!!!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yay, thanks so much for watching!

[@arontamas5639]

Thank you for this, it felt so great to wake up to a Winona's elusive Oscar video!!! She should've won for Age of innocence but it makes sense why Anna's won for Piano. She should have been nominated for Girl, interrupted, she was just as great as Angelina was.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed, her third nod should’ve been for Girl, Interrupted!

[@pophector]

Fantastic video & portrait on one of the most iconic actresses of the 20th century. She's always been so riveting in many of her films and got a well deserved high profile boost with the monumental Stranger Things. The way you analyzed the 1994 & 1995 videos were so enthralling to see. And yes on the Saoirse Ronan elusive Oscar video, but also Toni Colette & Laura Linney & Jennifer Jason Leigh sometime down the line. (And to be a little controversial: Sharon Stone & Jennifer Lopez?) As for men: maybe Willem Dafoe, Bradley Cooper, Ed Harris, Ethan Hawke, Edward Norton, Ian McKellen or Mark Ruffalo.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Great picks, lots of people to make Elusive Oscar videos about!

[@nahuel]

Just one day after my comment about Anna Paquin's win being one of my favorite's! lol. I love Winona... if u grew up in the 80s it was impossible not to (or 90s). Mermaids, what a beautiful movie! Oh and a Saoirse elusive Oscar would be awsome!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yay, thanks so much!

[@KW-sm2rt]

Love Winona and really wish she will win her first Oscar so hopefully in the near future. Seems like she has been picking less projects or not a lot of movies that suit her? I'm amazed how many famous actors/actresses and directors she has worked with. Her resume is just incredible. Glad Stranger Things introduced her to a whole new generation of viewers.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@samj5183]

What about an elusive Oscar for Jennifer Jason Leigh, she's a very talented actress that keeps getting ignored by the academy

[@TheAwardsContender]

Great idea!

[@Itee520]

Loved this Elusive Oscar video, I always say she should have been nominated for Girl Interrupted!!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed, seems like an obvious nod!

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Ugh Girl Interrupted was huge for me as a young adolescent. Winona could really have done with a nod. The whole cast was incredible in roles large and small. I've had a soft spot for Winona since I was younger though, in her Burton roles. It's bonkers I have never seen Age of Innocence. It's on my Watchlist high up though!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thanks for watching!

[@doug86]

What a great video! You touched on a lot of my thoughts about this amazing actress! I was shocked in 1994 when Winona lost to Anna! I later watched The Piano and thought Anna was fantastic! In 1995 Oscars for Little Women I thought she'd win too, as you said the category that year for actress was lacking. Lange was sensational in Blue Sky but I hadn't seen that film till later. Mermaids, The Crucible, Girl Interrupted & The Iceman are the film's I felt she could've scored a 3rd nom. Let's hope she will pull a Jamie Lee Curtis and snag that role one day that will land her a nom and win... hmmmm what would Winona have been like in Jamie's EEAAO role?

[@TheAwardsContender]

Love your insights, thank you!

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

The 2010 Oscar’s best supporting actress was confusing, snubbing both Mila Kunis and Winona Ryder for black swan and Kimberly Elise for for colored girls, nominating hailee steinfield for true grit when she’s clearly the lead and giving Melissa Leo the award when her co star Amy adams was actually the best

[@MrMcsia]

Yes, Kimberly Elise as grieving mother was overwhelming. She also was fantastic in "Beloved" (1998).

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yeah, what a weird year for that category!

[@davy209]

I think it wasn’t just Oscars members liking The Piano more than The Age of Innocence that led to Paquin’s surprise win. Critics rallied behind Paquin during Oscar voting (especially Roger Ebert and Gene Sisley) who publicly stated they they would have preferred Paquin to win even though several of them predicted Ryder to actually win.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Interesting! The vote was probably close.

[@davy209]

@TheAwardsContender- I have to disagree a bit on your take on why Winona Ryder lost the Oscar. You did mentioned that Ryder didn’t have the “overdue” factor, but the Oscars, instead, gave the award to an 11 year old girl for her first movie! 😂

[@DitalianCole]

One more well-put-together video, Brian! Thanks! I wouldn't count Winona out either! I still feel an Oscar win is coming!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thank you so much! I certainly hope so!

[@alpe1987]

Winona Ryder has been in more cult films than I could count. Can’t go wrong with HEATHERS

[@TheAwardsContender]

Great film!

[@brybry3633]

Winona is ❤.

[@TheAwardsContender]

❤️❤️❤️

[@DOUGLANDER]

Great video. Thank you for this! I’ve been waiting for this video and it didn’t disappoint! Winona forever!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yay, you’re very welcome!

[@adamhasideas6813]

This is a great tribute to an amazing actress. Pure gold...

[@TheAwardsContender]

Glad you enjoyed it! Love Winona!

[@victorrodrigueesoficial]

Brian, what do you think of Vanessa Redgrave? I adore her so much. I think that her performance in "Isadora" was the best of the year, also I would say she deserved a win for "The Bostonians". Not Sally Field, even though I like Sally. Judy Davis was great in "Passage to India", but Vanessa was better in my opinion. She's my favorite actress! I also would nominate her for "Prick your years", and "Coriolanus". I love and adore her! Would even nominate her for "Letters to Juliet"! hahahaha

[@TheAwardsContender]

A terrific actress, thanks for watching!

[@nikitaaverin]

Brian Rowe - love - your show. You forgot to mention that she actually loves to read books and was the one who landed Coppola the gig for "Bram Stoker's Dracula" for pulling out from "The Godfather - Part III" Plus she was the driving force behind filming the book "Girl, Interrupted" and hired James Mangold for that. Just the way she kills one cigarette by lighting another one while talking to one of her parents on the phone is a detail that is perfection galore! But yeah, Jolie stole the buzz in that movie and 1999 is IMHO the best year in films so far, so it drowned in the competition. As did Ryder. However her tumultuous relationship with Johnny Depp in the early 1990's, which ended with her dropping out from the Coppola's pic (kinda checking in at a psych-ward) and with the combination of the shop-lifting incident (where she stated that she was under prescription drugs), she got the Robert Downey Jr treatment after that. And I love her short scenes in "S1m0ne". Overlooked movie, but a solid satire, which I probably was the only one to see on the cinema screen. "You can hardly even see that she is reading off a tele-prompter." She is obviously a clever observer who can poke fun on herself (the "Who got the part???" scene in "Black Swan" comes to mind). Thing, also, is that rumor has it that she accidentally slipped the "Shakespeare in Love" script to Gwyneth Paltrow who snagged that Oscar. And also was the original choice to play Marla Singer in "Fight Club".

[@TheAwardsContender]

Wow, love all this trivia, thank you!

[@nikitaaverin]

@@TheAwardsContender Anytime. What can I say, I love your channel, adore Winona and movies have basically been my life since I was born. Worked four years as an Assistant to a Director (mainly commercials) and he plucked me from a video store where I was working while in High School - after Graduation of course - not because I created Music Videos for bands of friends of mine, but because I knew EVERYTHING because I had seen everything and read it all. I was his research engine. In my official job interview, he and his Producer just mentioned that they just had shot whatever with Jeffrey L. Kimball and I was like "'I love "Wild Things'" Hired on the spot. My limitation was that my knowledge started in in the early 1980's, so if you are needing someone to add whatever to your videos, gimme a holler. And keep up the good work.

[@craigmmcgill]

Another great video dude. I’ve never been a fan of hers, but this video was informative and makes me want to check out some of her work and give her another shot.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thanks for the compliment, glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrsImogen]

You know who I'd love to see you do an elusive Oscar video for? Cary Grant.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Love that idea!

[@sharonalbanese8084]

Yes! He always made it look so easy that I think everybody totally underestimated how incredible he was. He was great in dramas and co.edies. One of my all time favourites 😍

[@lizfinkelstein1323]

Gwyneth Paltrow really did sweep in and steal her thunder. Shakespeare In Love with its girl passing as boy subplot was made for her skill set and she likely would have taken Gwyneth's Oscar for it, especially given Harvey's outsized role in securing that particular award. It would have been the right role AND the right time, given all her prior excellent work.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Interesting perspective!

[@popboy0]

AWESOME video, as usual! This one especially touched me, since I was a huge Wynona fan back in the 90s. Always thought THE AGE of INOCENCE was shamely overlooked by the Academy. Wynona was locked in the category.......no one expeceted Paquin win. BTW, I 100% agree 1995 ceremony had the weakest Leading actress line up in Oscar history. I would've switched any of the other actresses for Kate Winslet (Heavenly Creatures), Natalie Portman (Leon: The Professional) or Sigourney Weaver (Death and the Maiden). Those were OUTSATNDING performances in such good films. Anyone think a remake of Hitchcock's MARNIE would lead Wynona Ryder to her fourth nomination.....and even win? expectation and morbid could work wonder.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Interesting idea!

[@MrsImogen]

Loved it and love her! I do feel like Soarse (sp?) will get an Oscar yet, but Winona AND Helena Bonham Carter, I'm less certain of. Even though I really think they both deserve it. Can't wait for your next video!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Aww, thanks so much!! Glad you liked it!

[@alexflowers97]

She should have won for Little Women and should have been nominated for Girl Interrupted. I love your channel, insight as well as intake. Not to mention your voice! Lol pleaseeeee do more Elusive Oscar videos with classic goddesses like Garbo or Stanwyck. That reminds me when in your ninth academy award video coming out? Much love from Monaco.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Oh my gosh, thank you! Glad you’re enjoying my content ❤️ planning to return to my Early Days of Oscar series this summer!

[@monicamerle1417]

Winona playing Jenna Ortega's mom in "Beetlejuice 2"..man, I feel old 😭. I'm happy is finally happening with Michael Keaton and Tim Burton directing it 🙌. I like lots of her older movies; I own "Beetlejuice", "Heathers", "Bram Stoker's Dracula" & "Edward Scissorhands". I love "Mermaids", never bought it because the blu-ray is very expensive and hard to find. Her career lost momentum way before the shoplifting episode. I think Winona suffered from over exposition in the first half of the 90s, kinda like happened with Jennifer Lawrence, but JLaw got her Oscar before we all got tired of seeing her face 😁

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yeah, I’m just thrilled Winona is still working! Excited for Beetlejuice 2!

[@bamabat8435]

Stockard Channing gets so slept on for her performance in Six Degrees of Separation, evidenced by the fact that you didn't mention her name. Seriously, people should get over the fact that it was Will Smith's first serious role and check out Stockard's performance.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, so happy Channing got that well-deserved nom!

[@roycerowland6162]

I think that she could had been nominated for Mermaids. I hope that she is nominated again one day.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, love her in Mermaids!

[@Dennisanyone-]

I know she was disappointed in losing to Paquin in 1994. I picked her to win, and so did everyone else. But the Piano definitely peaked with the Oscar voting that year, whereas TAOI truly underperformed nominations wise. Winona was the IT girl for the better part of the nineties. Plus she was EVERYWHERE during this time frame, which I thought would carry her through to an Oscar win. But Paquin was great and supporting actress is usually ripe for upsets. No way a win happens in 1995 though. Of course, Jolie stole GI which must’ve stung. But Winona would’ve gone down in flames to Swank anyway that year. Her mental issues and her department store theft, along with increasingly bad movies killed her momentum. Glad she’s back with Stranger Things and the Beetlejuice sequel. Always loved her!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, same here! Thanks for watching!

[@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719]

Very entertaining and informative. You managed, once again, to make me appreciate a very good actress. Thanks for the video.

[@TheAwardsContender]

You’re very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@isaacleoon]

Yes! Saoirse Ronan and the elusive Oscar!

[@jakesws934]

Yes please

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yay!

[@got2bjosh]

If Winona did win, people would say the others were robbed and fear she's back to her old ways.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Hmm, we’ll see!

[@got2bjosh]

@@TheAwardsContender It's a joke about her bizarre and still inexplicable shoplifting. Winona Ryder, Colin Farrell, and Simon Rex will never win Oscars so long as voters hold their past against them.

[@bethd1480]

Just watched your short and I actually agree with Miriam Margoyles. I think instead of these ridiculous rule changes they made the Academy should put a time limit on being a supporting actor. I think you should be in a movie less than 50% and I would even say 40% to be a supporting actor. I'm tired of co-leads winning the supporting actor categories. Mahershala Ali deserved it for Moonlight, but was a co-lead in Green Book, and by winning he took away the chance for an actual supporting actor (I would have voted for Richard E. Grant) from probably ever winning. Someone like Beatrice Strait will never win an Oscar again. This category was created to honor the supporting players, not a lead who just wants that Oscar but just isn't good enough in the lead category. I was so glad Michelle Williams went for Lead as she knew she was not a supporting character in that film. (Sorry about the rant - it's one of my pet peeves about Oscars)

[@TheAwardsContender]

Excellent points, I too prefer when they’re actually supporting!

[@Itee520]

But PLEASE PLEASE do a next Elusive oscsr video on Saoirse Ronan!!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, would be a fun one!

[@ericfasold805]

Can you do an elusive Oscar video for Catherine O'Hara?

[@TheAwardsContender]

Ooooooh, that would be a fun one!

[@sammygirl6910]

Fantastic as usual!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thank you!

[@perryjones7771]

I need her and Angelina in another movie ASAP!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Would be a must-see!

[@BaileeWalsh]

It's because of Winona Ryder that I first heard of Stranger Things way before it even came out. She's one of my favorite actresses, only having not seen 5 of the movies mentioned here (and 2 are because I haven't read the books, yet, and want to). Anyway, I would religiously look at her IMDb profile and there you have it, one day this show called Stranger Things was at the top of her acting projects. It didn't have any information besides her being cast and the Duffer brothers as creators, but I knew I was going to watch it, whatever it was. I don't love the show- the first season is by far the best imo- but I love seeing her in something new and finally people (well, younger people and more so before S2 came out) know who I'm talking about when I say Winona Ryder without me having to mention one of her movies, namely Beetlejuice.

[@TheAwardsContender]

I was the same! I believe it was the Summer TV Preview issue of Entertainment Weekly, and they included the picture of Winona holding the ax. I said, I have no idea what this show is, but I am watching for Winona!

[@jred9168]

Shocked she wasn’t nominated for Girl Interrupted. She was fantastic, but maybe she was overshadowed by Angelina Joilie

[@TheAwardsContender]

I know, right? Should’ve been her third nod.

[@Charmedone9805]

im shocked she did score an oscar nom for girl interrupted and possibly a win it was an amazing performance i also wish she snagged an Emmy for her part on stranger things but they snubbed her

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed to both!

[@h.l.asolomonov7674]

Little women 1994 was and still the best adaptation of for Little women.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Love that film!

[@adagiobreeze8493]

She’s been overlooked in awards conversations for Beetlejuice, Heathers, Girl, Interrupted and Black Swan

[@jeffreyturner7678]

I had a FREE WINONA T shirt... I love her- she is my age and I always related to Reality Bites and HEATHERS!!!!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

YES, love those films!

[@samgreen1241]

most of all i cannot believe she hasnt been nominated for an emmy for stranger things

[@TheAwardsContender]

I know, right??

[@jae5103]

Heathers, Crucible, Reality Bites, Edward Scissorhands, & Girl, Interrupted are my favs

[@TheAwardsContender]

Great films!

[@dexterarisgado6133]

Oh yessss I would love to see Saoirse Ronan and the Elusive Oscar

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yay!

[@edreid7872]

I understand shoplifting can be a lot more than accumulating stuff, especially when you can afford to pay for them, but I definitely saw her differently after that fiasco..

[@JEBsDailyDose]

I also gotta give a shout out to GREAT BALLS OF FIRE. she is so young in that movie but very good.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, that’s a fun one!

[@thepeculiarjourneyofmontyw8658]

I suddenly remembered a movie she was in way back in the late 80's - with RDJ and Keifer Sutherland - it was Vietnam era. I think my family rented it on VHS. But the only thing I remember is the group passing some GI's and Winona giving them a peace sign with her fingers - and suddenly, all the GI's were giving peace signs back.

[@gonesnake2337]

1969

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, one of her first films, 1969!

[@eh5507]

Winona Forever

[@TheAwardsContender]

❤️❤️❤️

[@TGTR-06660]

Great one again! Naomi Watts someday please!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, good idea!

[@yangtzeling7468]

Winona , Daniel & Joan Allen were riveting in The Crucible. I feel the movie is better than the book.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Great movie!!

[@JEBsDailyDose]

Another excellent Video! You always remind me of so many movies that I had forgotten. I hope everyone who watches your video checks out WELCOME HOME ROXY CARMICHAEL... she really gives an amazing performance in that one.

[@TheAwardsContender]

YES, super underrated film!

[@claire-sv4zv]

mentioning in the michelle pfeiffer video that your favorite performance is batman returns and in this one that bettlejuice is one of your favorites? crossing my fingers for a michael keaton elusive oscar video

[@TheAwardsContender]

Would be a fun one!

[@nitpicker12]

Did u know there was.a comment about Paquinn not having any problem getting cast in the next high school play?

[@BananaSpiral]

she is my #1 of all time i love her sm

[@leightonbate7516]

If you're thinking of doing Ronan would you consider three time nominee Debra Winger after her.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Oooooh, good one!

[@wbtothey]

My gosh I used to go see anything that she was in My favorite from my youth

[@samgreen1241]

YES PLEASE SAOIRSE RONAN AND THE ELUSIVE OSCAR YES YES YES!!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Woo hoo!!

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

Please do a video for Helena Bonham Carter next please

[@TheAwardsContender]

Good idea!

[@brettdarling1178]

Hmm… Some show, it’s like about monsters? 😂😂😂 Love this Brian.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Haha, glad you liked that part, I did like ten takes to get it right 😂

[@melisagalvalizi6982]

Richard Burton and the elusive oscar please!!!😅

[@TheAwardsContender]

Good idea!

[@joecoe4416]

This is generous to her.

[@tbam73]

So the voters thought Winona has more chances but gave it to an 11 year old??? Anna ended up doing very good work more in tv than movies and never received another nomination. The reasoning is sooo contradictory

[@roycerowland6162]

I completely agree with you on that one. I could had seen Winona or Rosie winning over Anna.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Good point, I could’ve clarified that part better. Of course there were more chances for Paquin too, I just think her strong performance in the better performing movie won out in the end.

[@mariadejesusribeirodsasilv525]

JÁ PENSOU WINONA E JOHNNY TRABALHANDO JUNTOS, OS DOIS GANHANDO OS SEUS PRIMEIROS OSCAR JUNTOS E FICANDO JUNTOS PRA SEMPRE OMG

[@ianyoung6881]

No mention of „The Age of Innocence“ at the BAFTA. Winona Ryder was nominated for Best Supporting Actress there too, but she lost to Miriam Margolyes who played the grandmother of Winona Ryder‘s character in the Age of Innocence. Next time can you do Miriam Margolyes and the elusive Oscar.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Oooooh, I don’t know why I forgot to include this segment. So interesting!

[@joshuah9109]

I'm sorry, WAAY off topic, but, HARRISON FORD at the 1994 OSCARS......DAMN!!!!!😍😍... sorry, couldn't help myself.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yup!

[@branagain]

I don't care what anybody says. Bram Stoker's Dracula is an incredible film. So much better than the book. I loved it. I even liked Keanu Reeves in it. On another note, casting Winona Ryder in Godfather III would have easily saved that movie. I wish she would have done it. Godfather III is trash as it is right now.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Ryder in Godfather III would’ve been amazing!

[@norielsoria3725]

21:05 Saoirse Ronan! Ha! im waiting for that. Pls do it Bryan ;)

[@TheAwardsContender]

👍👍👍

[@paulojrneto]

I always thought Winona had dropped out of Godfather Part III due to her commitment to Edward Scissorhands (and that Tim Burton even sent Johnny Depp to woo her into it).

[@TheAwardsContender]

Really? The sources I looked at said Mermaids. But she was certainly busy at that time!

[@victorrodrigueesoficial]

Winona was reduced as a shoplifter... "White chicks" as much as I love the film, but kind of helped with that. Poor, Winona. Amazing actress, deserved a nod for "Girl, interrupted".