10 Most Surprising Underdog Oscar Victories

It wouldn’t be straying too far from the truth to say that certain films, directors and actors are practically a shoo-in for at least a nomination if not an outright win at the glittering, annual film industry talent fest that is the Academy Awards. After all, there’s a reason why terms like Oscar bait exist and why Meryl Streep seems to receive a nomination for pretty much anything.

But every now and then a dark horse contender swoops in from left field and scoops themselves an Academy Award even in the face of fierce competition, proving that sometimes even an outlier can be in with a chance of securing Oscar glory. Romance still exists even in the cynical goldfish bowl of the Oscars.

With several underdog contenders up for nomination at the forthcoming 89th Academy Awards including indie films Moonlight and Hell or High Water, it’s possible we could see another unlikely nominee come good again this year.

And they will be in exalted, if surprising, company...

Before her Best Supporting Actress win for her role as Joe Pesci’s feisty, fast-talking Italian American fiancée Mona Lisa Vito in the 1992 comedy My Cousin Vinny, Marisa Tomei had only a few bit roles in movies – including an uncredited role Troma’s cult classic The Toxic Avenger – and a handful of TV jobs under her belt.

So, her win came as quite a surprise especially considering the calibre of the fellow nominees she triumphed over like esteemed British actresses Vanessa Redgrave and Miranda Richardson. Even more surprising was that while her fellow contenders were nominated for more dramatic roles, Tomei’s was a comedic performance – not something usually rewarded with an Oscar.

That isn’t to say Tomei’s performance wasn’t fantastic and her subsequent Best Supporting Actress nominations in 2002 for In the Bedroom and The Wrestler in 2009 are proof she’s definitely an Oscar-worthy actress. Nevertheless, her win was still quite the feat.

In fact, her win was so surprising that it actually spawned its own conspiracy theory involving a drunken Jack Palance reading the wrong name from the teleprompter while presenting the award and the Academy being too embarrassed to admit the error.

The theory has been debunked, however, so Tomei can rest assured that her award was fully deserved.