From Da’Vine Joy Randolph in The Holdovers to Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez, the 2020s have already delivered some remarkable performances in the Best Supporting Actress category at the Academy Awards. This category has a rich history of breaking barriers and setting records. Hattie McDaniel became the first person of color to win an Oscar for Gone with the Wind, Tatum O’Neal remains the youngest winner for Paper Moon, and Beatrice Straight holds the record for the shortest Oscar-winning performance for Network.
First introduced at the 9th Academy Awards, the Best Supporting Actress winners initially received plaques instead of statuettes until the 16th Academy Awards. Since then, the category has continued to highlight powerful and unforgettable performances. The 2020s have been no exception, celebrating talents like Youn Yuh-jung in Minari and Ariana DeBose in West Side Story. But among these stellar winners, who delivered the most outstanding performance?
Jamie Lee Curtis – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2023)
Jamie Lee Curtis took home the Oscar for her portrayal of Deirdre Beaubeirdre, a strict IRS inspector, in the genre-bending hit Everything Everywhere All at Once. While Curtis is a talented and beloved actress with an impressive career spanning horror and comedy, her performance in this film was more comedic than emotionally profound. Unlike her co-stars, Curtis’ multiversal versions of Deirdre didn’t showcase a vast range of emotions, making her the least compelling choice among fellow nominees such as Angela Bassett, Hong Chau, Kerry Condon, and Stephanie Hsu.
Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez (2024)
The most recent winner, Zoe Saldaña, received the award for her role as Rita, the lawyer of a cartel boss, in Emilia Pérez. While the film itself sparked significant controversy due to its portrayal of Mexican culture and the transgender community, Saldaña’s performance stood out as one of its strongest elements. Even those critical of the film acknowledged her nuanced portrayal of a conflicted woman caught in a dangerous world. Her magnetic presence and emotional depth made her a deserving winner.
Ariana DeBose – West Side Story (2022)
Ariana DeBose took on the iconic role of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a role that earned Rita Moreno an Oscar in 1961. DeBose not only met the high expectations but made Anita her own, embodying the character’s optimism, resilience, and fiery spirit. Her performance was vibrant, energetic, and emotionally gripping, making her one of the most celebrated winners of the decade.
Youn Yuh-jung – Minari (2021)
Youn Yuh-jung became the first Korean actor to win an Oscar with her performance as Soon-ja, the mischievous and loving grandmother in Minari. Unlike Jamie Lee Curtis’ role, which leaned more into comedic relief, Youn brought both humor and profound emotional depth to her character. She balanced warmth, wisdom, and unpredictability, adding layers to the film’s portrayal of immigrant struggles and family bonds.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers (2024)
While many outstanding performances have won Best Supporting Actress this decade, Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s portrayal of Mary Lamb in The Holdovers stands above the rest. As a grieving mother navigating life at a boarding school, Randolph infused her character with raw authenticity and emotional depth. Her performance provided a poignant contrast to the film’s odd-couple comedy dynamic, grounding the story in historical and personal loss. Randolph’s ability to convey deep sorrow without overdramatization made her performance the most powerful and deserving of an Oscar in recent years.
The Best Supporting Actress category has showcased a range of brilliant performances throughout the 2020s. With each passing year, new talents continue to shine, ensuring that the legacy of this category remains strong for years to come.
