Michelle Williams: Teen Drama's Oscar Nominee
Michelle Williams: Teen Drama's Oscar Nominee
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
That’s often how I think of Michelle Williams (Jen, Dawson’s Creek) when it comes to the Oscars. The actress — who has two Golden Globes, an Emmy, and a SAG Award, among other honors — has been nominated for the Academy Awards four times but has yet to win.
In honor of tonight’s Academy Awards, let’s take a look at each of Williams’ Oscar nominations.
Best Supporting Actress for Brokeback Mountain (2006)
Williams played Alma, the wife of Heath Ledger’s Ennis, who develops a secret romance with a fellow sheepherder portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal. Williams showcased a quiet heartbreak as an unhappy wife who secretly witnesses an intimate moment between the two men. Williams and Ledger fell in love during the film’s production and welcomed a daughter, Matilda, in 2005. Tragically, Ledger died in 2008 of an accidental drug overdose.
At the 2006 Oscars, Williams was nominated alongside Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener), Amy Adams (Junebug, which co-starred Benjamin McKenzie of “The O.C.”), Catherine Keener (Capote), and Frances McDormand (North Country). Weisz won the Academy Award.
Best Actress for Blue Valentine (2011)
Williams starred as Cindy opposite Ryan Gosling’s Dean. The film chronicles the ups and downs of their relationship, but in a non-linear fashion, moving back and forth in time. The movie was acclaimed for its brutally raw depiction of the couple’s clashes, which seemed to shock viewers. For me, the emotional intensity hit a little too close to home and therefore was hard to enjoy.
For the 2011 Oscars, Williams was up against Natalie Portman (Black Swan), Annette Bening (The Kids Are Alright), Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole), and Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone). Portman took home the award.
Best Actress for My Week with Marilyn (2012)
With this nod, Williams was nominated for Best Actress in back-to-back years. Here she brought Marilyn Monroe to life, playing the late star during a one-week period in 1957. The Academy often likes to reward films about Hollywood and its stars, making it somewhat surprising Williams didn’t win. Admittedly, though, I have not seen the film.
For the 2012 Oscar ceremony, Williams was competing with Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady), Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Viola Davis (The Help), and Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). The statue went to Streep. Notably, Williams did get a Golden Globe for this role in the category of Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Best Supporting Actress for Manchester by the Sea (2017)
Williams scored this nomination with minimal screentime — some estimates say she appears in the film for less than 10 minutes. But that small amount featured one of the movie’s most emotional scenes: Williams’ Randi runs into ex-husband Lee (Casey Affleck, who won Best Actor) years after the tragic death of their children in a house fire. Tate Donovan (Jimmy, The O.C.) was also in the film.
At the 2017 Oscars, Williams shared the nominations for this category with Davis (Fences), Naomie Harris (Moonlight), Nicole Kidman (Lion), and Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures). Davis won the prize.
Of course, even with four nominations and no wins, Williams is not the most-nominated actress to repeatedly lose at the Oscars. Close holds that title with eight nominations and zero wins... so far. That could change tonight, as Close is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Hillbilly Elegy.
And I’d be remiss not to mention the only teen drama star who has won an Academy Award — two of them, actually. Hilary Swank (Carly, Beverly Hills, 90210) won Best Actress for both Boys Don’t Cry (2000) and Million Dollar Baby (2005)… infamously after being fired from “Beverly Hills, 90210” only 16 episodes into her season-long deal.
Swank, who won her first Oscar the same year “Beverly Hills, 90210” ended, obviously got the last laugh. I’m confident Williams will someday too.
UPDATE 3/12/23: In January 2023, Williams scored her fifth Oscar nomination for Best Actress in The Fabelmans! Unfortunately, in March, she lost to Michelle Yeoh of Everything Everywhere All at Once.
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