7 actors who won Oscars for their first film roles

Andrews began her career on the stage, but in 1964 she crossed over to the big screen, starring as the titular character in Mary Poppins. Andrews brought the magical nanny to life with her singing ability and acting talents. The following year, she earned the best actress award at the Oscars for her debut in a feature film.I know you Americans are famous for your hospitality, but this is really ridiculous, she joked in her Oscar acceptance speech.By 1969, Streisand was already an accomplished stage performer, having earned two Tony nominations. In fact, she'd already brought her famous Funny Girl character, Fanny Price, to life on the stage. She broke into Hollywood by playing the same role on the big screen in the movie adaptation of the musical. In a historic year, Streisand tied for best actress with Katharine Hepburn at the Academy Awards. During her acceptance speech, she famously looked at her Oscar and said, Hello, gorgeous — a reference to a scene in Funny Girl.It was lovely to receive an Academy Award, I must say, Streisand told Variety in 2018, reminiscing about her first win. In 1977, she won her second, for best original song for Evergreen. Hutton jumped into the spotlight in 1980 when he starred in Ordinary People. He played Conrad, a teenager who returns home from a psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt to reconnect with his distant mother and cold father. When accepting his Academy Award the following year for best supporting actor, Hutton thanked his own father.After losing her hearing at 18 months old, Matlin acted on stage for most of her childhood. In 1986, however, she starred in her first film, Children of a Lesser God. She played a deaf woman who works at a school for the deaf and falls in love with a man — played by William Hurt — who struggles to understand her. She became the first and only deaf actress to win an Oscar when she won the best actress award in 1987. At 21, she was also the youngest woman to earn an Oscar in the best actress category and still holds that title today. Looking back now, thinking about that moment in the lights, with my heart pounding, Oscar in my hand, all I can say is I am grateful and humbled — still to this day, Matlin wrote in EW in 2012. Next to marrying my husband and the birth of my children, it is one of the best days ever. Twenty-five years later, it still feels just like yesterday.In 1993, Paquin took on her first-ever acting role in The Piano, playing Flora, a young girl who acts as an interpreter for her mute mother when they are shipped to New Zealand in the mid-19th century. At 11 years old, Paquin nervously accepted her award for best supporting actress on the Oscars stage by just staring into the camera and laughing before thanking a few people. She became the second-youngest winner in the category — only Tatum O'Neal, who won for Paper Moon when she was 10, was younger.Hot off the success of her short-lived American Idol run, Hudson took on her first acting gig opposite Beyoncé in Dreamgirls. Hudson played Effie White, the lead singer in the 1960s girl group who keeps getting pushed aside.Hudson's singing voice and acting chops earned her the best supporting actress award in 2007. In her acceptance speech, Hudson thanked Jennifer Holliday, who originated the role on Broadway. Lupita Nyong'o grew up in Kenya and then studied at the Yale School of Drama, but she landed her first major film role — which would lead to an Oscar — before she'd even graduated. In 2013's 12 Years a Slave, she played Patsey, a hardworking slave on a Louisiana cotton plantation. The following year, she won the best supporting actress Oscar and thanked the spirit of Patsey for guiding her through the filming process. When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you are from, your dreams are valid, she said in her acceptance speech.

7 actors who won Oscars for their first film roles

Julie Andrews' role in her first film, "Mary Poppins," earned her an Oscar in 1965.

In 1969, Barbra Streisand won the best actress Oscar for her breakout role in "Funny Girl."

Timothy Hutton scored an Oscar in 1981 for his debut role in "Ordinary People."

Marlee Matlin starred in her first movie in 1986, "Children of a Lesser God," and took home an Oscar.

At just 11 years old, Anna Paquin won an Oscar in 1994 for her first movie, "The Piano."

In her first-ever movie, Jennifer Hudson stole the show. She won an Oscar for her role in 2006's "Dreamgirls."

Lupita Nyong'o won an Oscar for her debut role in "12 Years a Slave."