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With his exceptional performance in Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer, actor Robert Downey Jr. has become one of the top contenders for Best Supporting Actor at the 96th Academy Awards. The biographical thriller features him as Lewis Strauss, one of the original members of the US Atomic Energy Commission, and has received immense praise from critics and audiences alike.
The Oscar buzz surrounding the movie and his performance suggests that he has certainly earned a place in the 2024 Oscars nominations. However, it would not be the first time, as Downey Jr. has had two Oscar nominations only to see the statuette slip away. But many are assured that he will take the trophy home this time.
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Robert Downey Jr. Was a Contender For Best Actor at the 1993 Oscars
Almost a decade after he made his debut,Robert Downey Jr.landed the role of Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biographical comedy-drama. Embodying the legendary figure, he was able to capture the mischief, magic, and melancholy of the silent film star and is still considered to be one of the best movies of his career.
His work earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor at the 65th Academy Awards. His competition at the 1993 Oscars included iconic stars like Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Stephen Rea, and Denzel Washington. The Oscar ultimately went toAl Pacino,a long-overdue recognition after six previous nominations.
Downey Jr.’s performance in the film and the nomination were a testament to his raw talent and tireless dedication. The actor, however, still failed to win the title despite being a worthy candidate. In the three decades since that loss, Downey Jr. received only one more Oscar nomination, which came in 2008 for his role inTropic Thunder.
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Robert Downey Jr.’s Controversial Role inTropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. landed his second nomination for his role in the 2008 satirical war comedyTropic Thunder. The role for which he earned the nomination was quite controversial. The movie features him as a fictional five-time Oscar-winning actor, Kirk Lazarus, who goes through a pigmentation alteration surgery to play a Black character.
His role in the movie met with mixed reactions. While some praised his performance and the way the film criticized some of the practices in Hollywood, many also took offense to the use of blackface in the film. Despite the controversies surrounding the movie, Downey Jr. landed a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 81st Academy Award.
But he lost the Oscar to the late actor Heath Ledger for his iconic portrayal of Joker inThe Dark Knight.One of the reasons for his loss was also considered to be the problematic aspects surrounding his character in the movie. While he lost the Oscar, his character continued to spark discussions about representation, satire, and the boundaries of artistic expression in Hollywood.
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Now that he is in the race to potentially win the title of Best Supporting Actor forOppenheimerat the 2024 Academy Awards, the odds seem in his favor. Downey Jr. is commended as one of the best performers in Christopher Nolan’s film, which has also become one of the top contenders for Best Picture.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3450
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
