Oscars 2021: 10 Actors Likely To Get Their First Oscar Nomination This Year

10. Paul Raci - Sound Of Metal 

Character actor Paul Raci has worked as an actor for years playing various small roles in films and tv shows alike. His big break may finally be here as his supporting role in the drama the Sound of Metal is slowly picking up speed towards a nomination.

This is largely due to the authenticity of his performance. Raci plays the founder of a deaf rehab facility named Joe who helps Riz Ahmed's Ruben acclimatise to his sudden hearing loss. Raci himself is not actually deaf but both his parents are and he has done a lot of work within the deaf community as a result.

The kind of issues raised and discussed in the Sound of Metal are deeply personal to Raci which will appeal to voters and he easily adds a layer of realism to the film. The Academy often likes to reward relative unknowns with nominations (Lupita Nyong'o, Yalitza Aparicio) so there is precedent that is on Raci's side, not to mention the fact that the Supporting Actor category is currently devoid of any clear frontrunners.