The Oldest and Youngest Oscar winners Throughout History

The Academy Awards have been presented since 1929. In the following article, you will find out who the oldest and, conversely, the youngest recipients of this prestigious award are in the most-watched categories.

Best Director

The oldest person to receive an Academy Awards was Clint Eastwood, who won it for the film “Million Dollar Baby” (2004) at the age of 74.The youngest awarded director was Damien Chazelle, who, at the age of 32, won the Oscar for the film “La La Land” (2016).

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Anthony Hopkins was declared the best actor in a leading role at the age of 80. He received the award for his performance in “The Father” (2020).The youngest recipient for Best Actor in a Leading Role was Adrien Brody, who took home the Oscar at the age of 29 for his role in “The Pianist” (2002).

Best Actress in a Leading Role

The movie “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989) brought an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role to 80-year-old Jessica Tandy. The youngest actress to receive this award was then 21-year-old Marlee Matlin for her performance in the film “Children of a Lesser God” (1986).

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Christopher Plummer became the oldest recipient of the award for Best Supporting Actor, earning it at the age of 82 for the film “Beginners” (2010). When Timothy Hutton received it for the film “Ordinary People” (1980), he was 20 years old.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Peggy Ashcroft, at the age of 77, was awarded the Academy Award for her performance in a supporting role in the film “A Passage to India” (1984). On the other hand, the youngest woman to be honored in this category was 10-year-old Tatum O’Neal, who captivated audiences with her performance in “Paper Moon” (1973).

From 82-year-old Christopher Plummer to 10-year-old Tatum O’Neal, the performances of all the actors mentioned in this article earned them golden Oscar statuettes and a lasting place in the history of cinema.