6. Patton Oswalt - Young Adult (2011)
The Role: Oswalt is Matt Freehauf, a nerd who was left crippled after being beaten at his high school prom by jocks who (wrongly) thought he was gay. He reacquaints himself with Mavis Gary, a writer who's returned to town to win back her (now married) high school boyfriend. Through the film they two create an unlikely friendship, and an even more unlikely romantic fling.
Why It's Oscar Worthy: The comedian was a force to be reckoned with in Jason Reitman's Young Adult. Playing alongside an actress as talented as celebrated as Charlize Theron can't be easy, but Oswalt holds his own and gives the best performance of the film. Oswalt is able to get sympathy from the audience without making everyone feel sorry for him, which is exactly what this character needed to do. He's funny, charming, and sad--often all at once. He's one of the funniest comedians working today, and maybe even one of the best actors.