Many people get really upset when their favorite actors, who have been bringing joy to millions of people for so many years, still don’t have that prestigious golden statuette — the Oscar. We’re talking about the top-shelf actors like Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, Bruce Willis, and Keanu Reeves, with dozens of movies each, and yet the Oscar eludes them. But then there are actors who literally took up only a few minutes of screen time, and the Academy instantly deemed them worthy!
Let’s see which of the actors and actresses managed to convince film critics and viewers into believing they deserve to win an Oscar in the shortest amount of screen time.
1. Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club (2013) — 21 minutes
Jared Leto got an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor while appearing on the screen for only 21 minutes.
2. Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton (2007) — 18 minutes
Award for Best Supporting Actress in Michael Clayton goes to Tilda Swinton and her stellar 18 minutes of screen time!
3. Lee Grant in Shampoo (1975) — 18 minutes
Yet another Oscar for Best Supporting Actress on the list. Lee Grant was seen on the screen for mere 18 minutes, but that was clearly more than enough.
4. Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — 16 minutes
Anthony Hopkins got an Oscar in the nomination “Best Actor” for portraying one of the most iconic antagonists ever — Hannibal Lecter.
5. Anne Hathaway in Les Misérables (2012) — 15 minutes
It took Hathaway 15 minutes in a 154-minute movie to earn herself an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
6. Kim Basinger in LA Confidential (1997) —15 minutes
A role in LA Confidential has earned Kim Basinger a nice little Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
7. Ingrid Bergman in Murder on the Orient Express (1974) — 14 minutes
Fourteen minutes of screen time, which is only 10% off a 128-minute movie, was all it took for Ingrid Bergman to get an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
8. Jack Palance in City Slickers (1991) — 12 minutes
Jack Palance was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. You think 12 minutes is a short role for that? Just you wait; the Big Three are coming!
9. Judi Dench in Shakespeare in Love (1998) — 8 minutes
In a 123-minute movie, Judi Dench appeared on the screen for only 8 minutes. Long story short — she got an Oscar.
10. Beatrice Straight in Network (1976) — 5 minutes
Winning an Academy award for Best Supporting Actress in just five minutes! That’s insane but wait, there’s more.
11. Hermione Baddeley in Way Up (1959) —140 seconds
2 minutes 20 seconds — this is truly an unbeatable record!
