20 Things You Didn't Know About 2021's Oscar Nominees

17. Anthony Hopkins Is The Oldest Best Actor Oscar Nominee Ever - The Father

Carey Mulligan Promising Young Woman
Sony Pictures Classics

Anthony Hopkins received a well-earned Best Actor nomination this year for his mesmerising performance in The Father, which also netted him a unique distinction - at 83 years of age, he's now the oldest actor to ever receive a Best Actor nomination.

Hopkins beat out Richard Farnsworth, whose Best Actor-nominated performance in David Lynch's 1999 drama The Straight Story saw him hold the record, at 79 years of age, for more than 20 years.

The nod additionally made Hopkins the first actor in their 80s to score back-to-back nominations, after receiving a Best Supporting Actor nod last year for his sublime work in The Two Popes.

In the admittedly unlikely event that he can beat the late Chadwick Boseman for Best Actor, it'll be Hopkins' second win from six nominations, and his first win in almost 30 years since he scooped Best Actor for The Silence of the Lambs.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.