Oscar Nominations: All About the Boomers

Boomers made out big when it comes to nominations in the six major award categories for the 85th Academy Awards, including a history-making nod in the best actress category.

By Mike Crisolago

Best Supporting Actor

It was a clean sweep for the over-45 age set in this category, led by 56-year-old Christoph Waltz, who put in a brilliant performance as a dentist-turned-bounty hunter in Quentin Tarantino’s pre-Civil War pic Django Unchained. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who squeaks in at 45, also received a nod for his disturbing portrayal of a Scientology-like cult leader in The Master. And then come the screen legends: Robert De Niro (69) landed his seventh Oscar nomination for Silver Linings Playbook, Tommy Lee Jones (66) and Alan Arkin (78) both nabbed their fourth nominations for their roles in Lincoln and Argo respectively.

Complete List of Nominees:

Christoph Waltz – Django Unchained

Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master

Robert De Niro – Silver Linings Playbook

Alan Arkin – Argo

Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln

Best Supporting Actress

In one of the least surprising announcements of the Oscar season, 66-year-old Sally Field nabbed her third Oscar nomination for her turn as Mary Todd Lincoln in Lincoln. So far, she’s won every Oscar she’s been nominated for. Just saying. Jacki Weaver, at 65, took home her second Oscar nomination for Silver Linings Playbook, while Helen Hunt, 49, did the same for The Sessions.

Complete List of Nominees:

Sally Field – Lincoln

Best Actress

Only one boomer nominee in this category, but she made history by earning it. Emmanuelle Riva, at 85, unseated Jessica Tandy as the oldest nominee for best actress in Oscar history for her role in Amour. Tandy also won the statuette when she was nominated at 80 for Driving Miss Daisy in 1989, meaning Riva could take the title of oldest winner from her as well. Not to jinx anything, but the 85th Academy Awards take place on Feb. 24; 85-year-old nominee Riva celebrates a birthday on, you guessed it, Feb. 24.

Complete List of Nominees:

Naomi Watts – The Impossible

Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

Emmanuelle Riva – Amour

Quvenzhané Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild (at eight years old, the youngest best actress nominee in Oscar history)

Best Director

Steven Spielberg (66) leads the pack with his 12th Oscar nomination for Lincoln, with Ang Lee (58) earns his fourth nod for the film version of Canadian writer Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning book Life of Pi. David O. Russell (54) has his second nomination for Silver Lining’s Playbook, while Amour director Michael Haneke (70) receives his first.

Complete List of Nominees:

David O. Russell – Silver Linings Playbook

Ang Lee – Life of Pi

Steven Spielberg – Lincoln

Michael Haneke – Amour