In the 95-year history of the Oscars, 40 individuals have won awards for performances lasting less than 20 minutes on screen. Among these winners, there are interesting facts such as one person achieving this feat twice, two winners in leading categories, and a higher number of female winners compared to male winners.
Starting with the longest screen time among the winners, Olympia Dukakis won Best Supporting Actress for her 19 minutes and 54 seconds appearance in 1987's Moonstruck. Following her, Joel Grey won Best Supporting Actor for his 19 minutes and 38 seconds role in 1972's Cabaret, which was less than 16% of the movie's total duration.
John Gielgud, who won Best Supporting Actor for 1981's Arthur, had a screen time of 18 minutes and 44 seconds, making him the only EGOT winner on the list. Laura Dern, who won Best Supporting Actress for 2019's Marriage Story, appeared on screen for 18 minutes and 36 seconds.
Lee Grant, Tilda Swinton, and Donna Reed won Oscars for performances lasting 18 minutes and 35 seconds, 18 minutes and 34 seconds, and 18 minutes and 25 seconds, respectively. Anjelica Huston, Vanessa Redgrave, and James Coburn also secured wins for their brief yet impactful roles.
The list continues with recent winners like Jamie Lee Curtis, Claire Trevor, and Hugh Griffith, each showcasing their talent in under 20 minutes of screen time. Notable names such as Anthony Hopkins, Ruth Gordon, and David Niven also made the list for their memorable performances.
From Allison Janney to Shelley Winters, Joseph Schildkraut, and Anne Hathaway, each actor's brief but powerful presence on screen earned them an Academy Award. The list concludes with Kim Basinger, Penélope Cruz, Alan Arkin, and Ingrid Bergman, all celebrated for their remarkable performances in limited screen time.
