As if we are not aware of it every time we walk into a theater, the Oscars are a wonderful time to recognize all of the talent coming out of Hollywood. Though we will never, ever swing from a trapeze with Zac Efron in a bodysuit fit for Latin week on Dancing with the Stars, the movies let us think that we can, if only for 90 minutes.
Movies have a way of transporting viewers into their world. It is only you, the screen and the sound of plastic wrap coming off the Buncha Crunch you snuck in from Walgreens. Take that moment, minus the chocolate, pull the characters out of the screen and onto the stage and you get some performers’ realities.
In celebration of 2017’s greatest achievements in movies, here is a list of performers who prove the silver screen is not the only place to shine.
Denzel Washington
Even if you cannot name a movie he is in, you know the name. The actor has received countless recognition in movies and this year is no different. Washington is nominated for best actor in a leading role for the title role in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” at this year’s show. Besides numerous other movie roles, Washington also has his fair share of successful stage performances. In 2010, he starred as Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s “Fences” on Broadway. The role won him a Tony Award for best lead actor in a play. The play was adapted into a movie in 2016, and Washington was nominated for an Oscar for the role.
Woody Harrelson
While his role as Haymitch Abernathy in “The Hunger Games” series did not earn him any Oscar nods, his role as Willoughby in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” did. Harrelson is nominated for best actor in a supporting role for that role at this year’s show. Besides starring in both television shows and movies, Harrelson has also proved capable on stage. In addition to a starring role in the Broadway show, “The Rainmaker,” in 1999, Harrelson directed and co-wrote an off-Broadway play called “Bullet for Adolf” in 2012.
Pasek and Paul
Though their names might not be familiar, their work is. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are a songwriting team known for their work on Broadway and in film. The duo is nominated for the best original song Oscar for “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman.” At last year’s Oscars, the duo won best song, alongside composer Justin Hurwitz, for their lyrical contribution to “City of Stars” from "La La Land." As if that is not enough, the two won a 2017 Tony Award for their score for the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Beanie Feldstein
Jonah Hill’s little sister has made quite the name for herself this past year. The actress co-stars as Julie Steffans in “Lady Bird,” which is nominated for best picture this year. Proving her talent knows no boundaries, Feldstein just came off a Broadway run as Minnie Faye in “Hello, Dolly!” alongside the iconic Bette Midler, who is well-known for her lead role in Disney's "Hocus Pocus."
Hugh Jackman
The actor, best known for his role as the Wolverine in the X-Men series, stars in the Oscar-nominated film “The Greatest Showman.” The actor has a steady career in shows on and off Broadway and hosted the Tony Awards in 2014.
