Oscars 2019: Where You've Seen the Nominees on TV (PHOTOS)
Melissa McCarthy
Nominated for: Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Memorable TV Roles: The actress, who has become a big-screen comedy staple since her iconic turn in 2011’s Bridesmaids, appeared as Sookie St. James in The WB’s Gilmore Girls from 2000-2007 and in 2016 when she reprised her role in the Netflix revival. She also starred as Molly in CBS’ Mike and Molly (above) from 2010-2016.
Lady Gaga
Nominated for: A Star Is Born
Memorable TV Roles: Apart from a small uncredited role in The Sopranos, Lady Gaga’s first major TV role was in Season 5 of American Horror Story. Gaga’s AHS: Hotel role gave her some acting cred — and earned a Golden Globe.
Mahershala Ali
Nominated for: Green Book
Memorable TV Roles: Before hitting it big with his Oscar-winning turn in Moonlight and other acclaimed films, Ali got his start in the 2001-2007 series Crossing Jordan (above) and went on to appear in various other shows including The 4400, Treme, Alphas, House of Cards, and Luke Cage. Currently, Ali can be seen in HBO’s third season of True Detective.
Glenn Close
Nominated for: The Wife
Memorable TV Roles: In addition to the occasional voice guest spot on the long-running Simpsons, Close has been seen in roles like Patty Hewes in Damages from 2007-2012 (above) and as Monica Rawling in The Shield in 2005.
Rami Malek
Nominated for: Bohemian Rhapsody
Memorable TV Roles: Malek’s role as Elliot Alderson in USA’s Mr. Robot made him a household name in 2015, but the actor appeared in many other shows prior to the hacker hit, including BoJack Horseman, The Pacific, and 24, among others. The actor initially got his start with a guest-starring role on a 2004 episode of Gilmore Girls.
Adam Driver
Nominated for: BlacKkKlansman
Memorable TV Roles: Long before he became Kylo Ren in the Star Wars franchise, Driver appeared as Adam Sackler in HBO’s Lena Dunham-created series Girls (2012-2017).
Emma Stone
Nominated for: The Favourite
Memorable TV Roles: Perhaps you saw Stone in her recent TV venture, Netflix’s Maniac (above) with former Superbad costar Jonah Hill? The topsy-turvy limited series marks Stone’s first major TV role since a single season run with 2007’s Drive.
Amy Adams
Nominated for: Vice
Memorable TV Roles: Adams recently won a Critic’s Choice Award (she tied with Patricia Arquette) for her role in the HBO miniseries, Sharp Objects. The actress appeared as Camille Preaker in the adaptation of Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn’s novel by the same name. Prior to 2018, she hadn’t appeared in a recurring TV role since playing Jim’s girlfriend Katy on three episodes of The Office from 2005-2006.
Regina King
Nominated for: If Beale Street Could Talk
Memorable TV Roles: King got her start in television alongside Jackée Harry in the sitcom 227 which ran from 1985 to 1990, and she appeared in over 100 episodes. Since then, King won an Emmy for her role in Netflix’s Seven Seconds and has appeared in shows like 2015’s The Leftovers (above), 24, Southland (2009-2013), Shameless (2014), American Crime (2015-2017), and The Big Bang Theory (2013-2017). The actress’s next TV gig? HBO’s highly anticipated Watchmen series.
Sam Elliott
Nominated for: A Star Is Born
Memorable TV Roles: In his lengthy career, Elliott has appeared in a slew of TV projects, but in recent years, he could be seen in shows such as Parks and Recreation, Justified, Grace and Frankie, and his current Netflix series with Ashton Kutcher, The Ranch (above).
Bradley Cooper
Nominated for: A Star Is Born
Memorable TV Roles: Prior to becoming a multi Oscar-nominated actor-director, Cooper had roles on hit shows like Alias (above) from 2001-2006, Nip/Tuck (2007), 2015’s Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, and 2015’s short-lived adaptation of his film Limitless.
Olivia Colman
Nominated for:The Favourite
Memorable TV Roles: The British actress has a hefty roster of U.K. shows on her resume, among which are Broadchurch (above) from 2013-2017, the upcoming Les Misérables miniseries, Fleabag (2016), and her upcoming Season 3 turn as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown.
Richard E. Grant
Nominated for: Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Memorable TV Roles: This seasoned actor has many notches on his TV belt including well-known titles such as Doctor Who in 2012, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones and Girls. Grant’s most recent TV appearance was the final season of A Series of Unfortunate Events (above), in which he played Man with Beard But No Hair.
Sam Rockwell
Nominated for:Vice
Memorable TV Roles: You may not have seen Rockwell on TV recently but you’ve definitely heard him in the Netflix animated comedy F Is For Family in which he lends his vocals to Vic (above). Rockwell is set to appear alongside Michelle Williams in FX’s upcoming Fosse/Verdon limited series.
The Academy has finally revealed its contenders for the 2019 Oscars ceremony and many of them are familiar faces.
From repeat nominees to first-timers, there's one thing that connects many of these actors and actresses — they've had memorable roles on TV. Above, click through the gallery to see how your know these stars through televisions — some may surprise you.
The 91st Academy Awards, Sunday, February 24, 8/7c, ABC
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