The nominations for the 2025Oscarshave been announced and have seen Timothée Chalamet join the list of actors who have been recognized for their portrayals of musicians. Timothée Chalamet starred as American singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan, in the musical drama movie,A Complete Unknown, which explored the early stages of Dylan’s career in the 1960s, when he travels to New York to achieve his dream of becoming an admired musician. The movie explored Dylan’s struggles to adapt to the industry’s expectations of his work, andthe troubles he faced after being booed at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
A Complete Unknownwas widely praised by critics, with many positively comparingTimothée Chalamet’s performance to the real Bob Dylan. The movie received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Timothée Chalamet’s performance in the movie earned him his second Oscar nomination for Best Actor, whichhas the potential to break an Oscars record held for 21 years. Chalamet’s Best Actor nomination sees him become one of several notable actors who have received Oscar nominations for their portrayals of musicians.
The Jolson Story
Cast
The Jolson Story chronicles the rise of Asa Yoelson, who defies his cantor father to pursue a career in show business, eventually gaining fame as Al Jolson. As he ascends through vaudeville and minstrel shows, his burgeoning success is paralleled by personal and professional conflicts.
Directed by Alfred E. Green,The Jolson Storyexplores the life and career of Al Jolson from his time performing on stage to receiving worldwide acclaim after appearing in the first sound movie,The Jazz Singer. The moviereceived six Oscar nominations in 1946,winning two for Best Scoring and Best Sound Recording.
While the movie later received criticism for its fictionalized portrayal of Jolson’s life,Larry Parks received high praise for his performance and received his first and only Oscar nomination in his career for Best Actor. Parks later portrayed Al Jolson in the 1949 sequel,Jolson Sings Again.
With a Song in My Heart
With a Song in My Heart follows the life of songstress Jane Froman, played by Susan Hayward. Despite being partially crippled in a plane crash, Froman entertains Allied troops in World War II, highlighting her resilience. Directed by Walter Lang, this film also features David Wayne and centers around Froman’s enduring spirit.
Susan Hayward starred inWith a Song In My Heartas Jane Froman, an American singer, who began her career as a radio singer, but eventually rose to become a popular performer. The movie depicts how Froman’s career was negatively impacted after a plane crash in 1943, but she was able to recover enough to perform for soldiers during World War II.
With a Song In My Heartwas widely praised upon its release, receiving five Oscar nominations and winning for Best Scoring of a Musical.Susan Hayward received her third Oscar nomination for her performance as Jane Fromanand won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
3Susan Hayward As Lillian Roth (Nominated)
Best Actress - I’ll Cry Tomorrow (1955)
Adapted from Lillian Roth’s 1954 biography,I’ll Cry Tomorrowdepicts Roth’s rise to become a popular and successful musical performer and her later struggles with alcoholism and domestic abuse. Roth’s biography is considered one of the first to depict the harsh realities of stardom and the problems with alcohol addiction (viaThe New York Times).
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Smash-Up, the Story of a Woman
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Won
The movie was described as a tragic and unique depiction of a singer’s inner struggles.I’ll Cry Tomorrowis recognized for being Susan Hayward’s first time singing in a movie,and was the fourth biopic of her career. She received her fourth Oscar nomination for her performance as Lillian Roth, and won Best Actress at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival.
Lady Sings the Blues
Lady Sings the Blues is a biographical film depicting the life of Billie Holiday, chronicling her journey from a troubled childhood and time as a prostitute to becoming a famed blues singer. The film covers her tours, marriages, and struggles with drug addiction.
Directed by Sidney J. Furie,Lady Sings the Bluesdepicts the difficult life of Billie Holiday, who is regarded as one of the most legendary jazz singers in history. As a young girl, Holiday worked in brothels, suffering from abuse, while dreaming of becoming a professional singer.The movie depicts how Billie Holiday received her big breakwhen she agreed to be the lead singer of the Reg Hanley Band. As Holliday’s career rises, she has to deal with the pressures of fame and an eventual descent into alcoholism and drug abuse.
Lady Sings the Blueswas the movie debut of Diana Ross and critics considered her performance of Billie Holiday as the highlight of the movie. Reviews praised Ross for her accurate depiction of Holiday, with her acting described as “a tribute to Billie Holiday, not an impersonation” (viaRoger Ebert). She received her first and only Oscar nomination for her performance as Billie Holiday in 1973.
The Buddy Holly Story
The Buddy Holly Story chronicles the rise and brief career of rock ‘n’ roll star Buddy Holly, focusing on his artistic aspirations with his band, the Crickets. The film explores their challenges in Nashville, a notable performance at the Apollo Theater, and Holly’s eventual solo endeavors.
Gary Busey portrayed rock singer, Buddy Holly, in Steve Rash’sThe Buddy Holly Storyin 1978. The movie depicts Holly’s time as the lead singer of the band, The Cricketts, his romance with receptionist, Maria Elena Santiago, and his eventual success with singles including “That’ll Be The Day” and “Peggy Sue.”
Despite being 33 at the time he portrayed 22-year-old Buddy Holly, Busey was widely praised for his portrayal of the singer.
Despite being 33 at the time he portrayed 22-year-old Buddy Holly, Busey was widely praised for his portrayal of the singer, with critics stating it “gives the movie an analogous conviction and distinction” (viaWashington Post). Nominated for Best Actor in 1978, the role of Buddy Holly is still considered the best of Busey’s entire career.
Loretta Lynn is known as one of the most successful country singers in history, having released 24 No. 1 singles and 11 albums across her career. Her career and marriage to Doolittle Lynn, was chronicled in the 1979 movie,Coal Miner’s Daughter, directed by Michael Apted. The movie depicts how Lynn left her poor upbringing behind after marrying her husband, and the two work together to establish her music career.
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Crimes of the Heart
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Ruth Fowler
Nominated
Sissy Spacek was chosen by Loretta Lynn for the movie,and the two developed a close friendship during production. Spacek spent months learning about Lynn’s life and practicing how to emulate her singing style. Spacek’s dedication to the role earned Spacek the Oscar for Best Actress in 1979.
Sweet Dreams
Sweet Dreams chronicles the life of country music singer Patsy Cline, portrayed by Jessica Lange. Directed by Karel Reisz, the film follows Cline’s rise to fame, capturing her tumultuous personal life and tragic death. Ed Harris stars as her husband, Charlie Dick, whose relationship with Cline is highlighted throughout the film, offering an intimate look into the challenges and triumphs of her career.
Directed by Karel Reisz,Sweet Dreamsfocuses on the life of country singer, Patsy Cline, from 1956 until her tragic death in a plane crash in 1963. Starring Jessica Lange as Cline, the movie follows the singer’s tumultuous marriage to Charlie Dick and her rise to become one of the first successful female country singers.
The movie received some criticism from the singer’s close relations for its historical inaccuracies, with Cline’s mother expressing her disapproval of the final product. Regardless,Lange’s performance as Patsy Cline was received with praise and is considered one of her most underrated roles(viaBackstage).Sweet Dreamsearned her a nomination for Best Actress, the fourth in her career.
What’s Love Got to Do with It?
What’s Love Got to Do with It is a biographical drama film directed by Brian Gibson, revolving around the life of Tina Turner, portrayed by Angela Bassett. It follows her rise to stardom and tumultuous relationship with her husband Ike Turner, played by Laurence Fishburne. The film chronicles her journey from humble beginnings to becoming an iconic singer, capturing her resilience and empowerment in overcoming personal and professional challenges.
Angela Bassett starred as rock singer, Tina Turner in the 1993 biographical movie,What’s Love Got To Do With It. Directed by Brian Gibson, the movie follows Anna Mae Bullock’s humble beginnings in St. Louis, Missouri, until meeting talent scout, Ike Turner and establishing herself as Tina Turner. The two start to work together and eventually start a romance, but their professional and personal lives are heavily impacted by jealousy and abuse.
Angela Bassett underwent heavy training for the role of Tina Turner, learning all of Turner’s mannerisms and choreography for the movie. She later revealed that she felt she had “a huge responsibility” to provide a strong depiction of Turner’s life (viaVariety).What’s Love Got To Do With Itis consideredone of Angela Bassett’s best movies, and she received her first Oscar nomination for her performance.
9Laurence Fishburne As Ike Turner (Nominated)
Best Actor - What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993)
Laurence Fishburne starred alongside Angela Bassett inWhat’s Love Got To Do With Itas Ike Turner, a rock-and-roll pioneer and talent scout, who discovers a young Tina Turner in a nightclub and offers to manage her. The two developed a professional and later a personal relationship, and found chart success as the music duo Ike & Tina Turner in the 1960s.The movie depicts how Ike Turner’s violent temper and cocaine addiction led to their marriage falling apart.
Fishburne reportedly turned down the role of Ike Turner five times before finally accepting after Angela Bassett was cast as Tina Turner (viaVulture). The movie is considered to beone of Laurence Fishburne’s moviesand his performance was seen as central to the movie’s success; he earned his first Oscar nomination for the movie in 1993.
Ray
Ray is a biographical film that chronicles the life and career of Ray Charles, the legendary American musician. The film explores his struggles with blindness, addiction, and personal demons, while highlighting his unwavering passion for music. It features his journey from humble beginnings to achieving global fame, capturing both his triumphs and tribulations.
Ray Charles is recognized as one of the world’s most influential musicians. Despite becoming blind as a child, he was determined to find success in the music industry and eventually rose to become one of the most successful performers of all time; Charles is credited for combining blues and jazz music to further establish the soul music genre.The 2004 movie,Ray, starring Jamie Foxx, focuses on the first 30 years of Charles' life, depicting his battles with his disability and addiction and his eventual success as an acclaimed performer.
During filming, Jamie Foxx wore prosthetics over his eyes to offer a realistic portrayal of Ray Charles; despite being known as a comedy actor, Foxx’s performance as Ray Charles was seen by critics as “uncannily reproducing Charles' physical movements and idiosyncrasies” (viaThe Guardian). Foxx’s performance inRaywas seen asone of the best dramatic performances by a comedy actorand won him the Oscar for Best Actor in 2004.
