Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem; Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons.Photo: Venturelli/WireImage; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Amy Schumerwasn’t joking when she called theAcademy Awards"a night for lovers.“While many Oscar nominees stroll down the red carpethand in hand with their better halves, some take their affection a step further —showering them with affection in their acceptance speechesor evengetting up on-stage to defend their honor.But there’s something truly magical about seeing Hollywood power couples both recognized for their craft in the same year. Whether nominated for individual films or recognized for their joint efforts, it’s a rare and heartwarming sight.From iconic pairs likeRichard BurtonandElizabeth Taylorto modern-day sweethearts such asPenélope CruzandJavier Bardem, here’s a look at the married and engaged partners who snagged Oscar nods together.
Amy Schumerwasn’t joking when she called theAcademy Awards"a night for lovers.”
While many Oscar nominees stroll down the red carpethand in hand with their better halves, some take their affection a step further —showering them with affection in their acceptance speechesor evengetting up on-stage to defend their honor.
But there’s something truly magical about seeing Hollywood power couples both recognized for their craft in the same year. Whether nominated for individual films or recognized for their joint efforts, it’s a rare and heartwarming sight.
From iconic pairs likeRichard BurtonandElizabeth Taylorto modern-day sweethearts such asPenélope CruzandJavier Bardem, here’s a look at the married and engaged partners who snagged Oscar nods together.
01of 121932: Alfred Lunt and Lynn FontanneLynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt.John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty ImagesIn 1932, celebrity couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne made history when they were both nominated for Academy Awards in the same year. After appearing together inThe Guardsman(1931), they were up for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
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1932: Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne
Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt.John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
In 1932, celebrity couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne made history when they were both nominated for Academy Awards in the same year. After appearing together inThe Guardsman(1931), they were up for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.
02of 121940: Vivien Leigh and Laurence OlivierLaurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.CBS via Getty ImagesVivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier are two of the most legendary actors of all time, so it’s no wonder that the pair were both nominated for Oscars just months before their 1940 wedding.Leigh won the award for Best Actress (the first British woman to do so) for her role as Scarlett O’Hara inGone with the Wind(1939), while Olivier was nominated for playing Heathcliff inWuthering Heights(1939).The pair’s epic Hollywood romance lasted from 1937 to 1960, when the couple divorced.
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1940: Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh.CBS via Getty Images
Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier are two of the most legendary actors of all time, so it’s no wonder that the pair were both nominated for Oscars just months before their 1940 wedding.
Leigh won the award for Best Actress (the first British woman to do so) for her role as Scarlett O’Hara inGone with the Wind(1939), while Olivier was nominated for playing Heathcliff inWuthering Heights(1939).
The pair’s epic Hollywood romance lasted from 1937 to 1960, when the couple divorced.
03of 121964: Rachel Roberts and Rex HarrisonRex Harrison and Rachel Roberts.gettyThe Hollywood couple — who married in 1962 and divorced in 1971 — were both nominated for the 1964 Academy Awards. Rachel Roberts was up for Best Actress forThis Sporting Life(1963) and her husband, Rex Harrison, for Best Actor forCleopatra(1963).
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1964: Rachel Roberts and Rex Harrison
Rex Harrison and Rachel Roberts.getty
The Hollywood couple — who married in 1962 and divorced in 1971 — were both nominated for the 1964 Academy Awards. Rachel Roberts was up for Best Actress forThis Sporting Life(1963) and her husband, Rex Harrison, for Best Actor forCleopatra(1963).
04of 121967: Richard Burton and Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesRichard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor collaborated on 11 films together throughout theirinfamous relationship, and both were nominated in 1967 for their leading roles inWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Taylor won the trophy for Best Actress, though her husband did not nab the Best Actor award.
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1967: Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor collaborated on 11 films together throughout theirinfamous relationship, and both were nominated in 1967 for their leading roles inWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Taylor won the trophy for Best Actress, though her husband did not nab the Best Actor award.
05of 121969: Paul Newman and Joanne WoodwardPaul Newman and Joanne Woodward .Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesPaul NewmanandJoanne Woodward— who weremarried for 50 yearsfrom 1958 untilNewman’s deathin 2008 — were both nominated in 1969 for their work onRachel, Rachel(1968). Woodward was nominated for Best Actress, while her husband was nominated as a producer for Best Picture.
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1969: Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward .Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Paul NewmanandJoanne Woodward— who weremarried for 50 yearsfrom 1958 untilNewman’s deathin 2008 — were both nominated in 1969 for their work onRachel, Rachel(1968). Woodward was nominated for Best Actress, while her husband was nominated as a producer for Best Picture.
06of 121975: John Cassavetes and Gena RowlandsJohn Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands .Max B. Miller/Fotos International/Getty ImagesJohn Cassavetes andGena Rowlandshad been married for more than two decades when they were both nominated for Academy Awards in 1975. Rowlands was nominated for Best Actress for her role inA Woman Under the Influence(1974), and her husband received a nomination for directing the film. The pair remained married until Cassavetes' death in 1989.
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1975: John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands
John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands .Max B. Miller/Fotos International/Getty Images
John Cassavetes andGena Rowlandshad been married for more than two decades when they were both nominated for Academy Awards in 1975. Rowlands was nominated for Best Actress for her role inA Woman Under the Influence(1974), and her husband received a nomination for directing the film. The pair remained married until Cassavetes' death in 1989.
07of 121997: Joel Coen and Frances McDormandFrances McDormand and Joel Coen.Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty ImagesIn 1997, actressFrances McDormandand her writer-director husband Joel Coen won Academy Awards forFargo(1996) — McDormand for Best Actress and Coen for Best Original Screenplay. The pair have been married since 1984.
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1997: Joel Coen and Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand and Joel Coen.Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
In 1997, actressFrances McDormandand her writer-director husband Joel Coen won Academy Awards forFargo(1996) — McDormand for Best Actress and Coen for Best Original Screenplay. The pair have been married since 1984.
08of 122016: Michael Fassbender and Alicia VikanderMichael Fassbender (seated) and Alicia Vikander.Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesBeforeMichael FassbenderandAlicia Vikandertied the knot in 2017, the ultra-private pair were both nominated for Oscars in 2016. Vikander won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role inThe Danish Girl(2015);Fassbender was nominated for Best Actor for his performance inSteve Jobs(2015) but didn’t take home the Oscar. The prize went toLeonardo DiCaprioforThe Revenant.
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2016: Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander
Michael Fassbender (seated) and Alicia Vikander.Kevin Winter/Getty Images
BeforeMichael FassbenderandAlicia Vikandertied the knot in 2017, the ultra-private pair were both nominated for Oscars in 2016. Vikander won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role inThe Danish Girl(2015);Fassbender was nominated for Best Actor for his performance inSteve Jobs(2015) but didn’t take home the Oscar. The prize went toLeonardo DiCaprioforThe Revenant.
09of 122020: Greta Gerwig and Noah BaumbachNoah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig.Steve Granitz/WireImageBeforemarrying at New York City Hallin December 2023, writer-directorsGreta GerwigandNoah Baumbachwere both nominated for their individual filmsa decade after they first met. Gerwig received a nod for Best Adapted Screenplay forLittle Women, while Baumbach earned recognition for Best Original Screenplay forMarriage Story— and both films were also contenders for Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars.The power couple found themselves sharing the spotlight again in 2024,nominated for Best Adapted Screenplayfor their collaborative effort onBarbie.
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2020: Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach
Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig.Steve Granitz/WireImage
Beforemarrying at New York City Hallin December 2023, writer-directorsGreta GerwigandNoah Baumbachwere both nominated for their individual filmsa decade after they first met. Gerwig received a nod for Best Adapted Screenplay forLittle Women, while Baumbach earned recognition for Best Original Screenplay forMarriage Story— and both films were also contenders for Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars.
The power couple found themselves sharing the spotlight again in 2024,nominated for Best Adapted Screenplayfor their collaborative effort onBarbie.
10of 122022: Penélope Cruz and Javier BardemPenélope Cruz and Javier Bardem.sony pictures; Amazon Studios/Courtesy Everett CollectionPenélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, who have beenmarried since 2010, were both nominated for Academy Awards in 2022. Cruz was up for Best Actress for her role inParallel Mothers(2021), while her husband was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal ofDesi ArnazinBeing the Ricardos(2021).Neither Cruz nor Bardem ended up bringing a statuette home, withJessica Chastainnabbing Best Actress forThe Eyes of Tammy FayeandWill Smithas Best Actor forKing Richard.
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2022: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem
Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem.sony pictures; Amazon Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection
sony pictures; Amazon Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection
Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, who have beenmarried since 2010, were both nominated for Academy Awards in 2022. Cruz was up for Best Actress for her role inParallel Mothers(2021), while her husband was nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal ofDesi ArnazinBeing the Ricardos(2021).
Neither Cruz nor Bardem ended up bringing a statuette home, withJessica Chastainnabbing Best Actress forThe Eyes of Tammy FayeandWill Smithas Best Actor forKing Richard.
11of 122022: Kirsten Dunst and Jesse PlemonsJesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst.KIRSTY GRIFFIN/NETFLIXKirsten Dunstandthen-fiancé (now husband)Jesse Plemonswere both nominated for the very first time in 2022 for acting in the same filmandplaying spouses. Dunst was up for Best Supporting Actress and Plemons for Best Supporting Actor for their roles inThe Power of the Dog(2021). However, neither Dunst or Plemons won.Instead,Troy Kotsurwas named Best Supporting Actor in ahistoric victoryforCODA(Child of Deaf Adults), andAriana DeBosewon Best Supporting ActressforSteven Spielberg’sWest Side Story.
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2022: Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons
Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst.KIRSTY GRIFFIN/NETFLIX
Kirsten Dunstandthen-fiancé (now husband)Jesse Plemonswere both nominated for the very first time in 2022 for acting in the same filmandplaying spouses. Dunst was up for Best Supporting Actress and Plemons for Best Supporting Actor for their roles inThe Power of the Dog(2021). However, neither Dunst or Plemons won.
Instead,Troy Kotsurwas named Best Supporting Actor in ahistoric victoryforCODA(Child of Deaf Adults), andAriana DeBosewon Best Supporting ActressforSteven Spielberg’sWest Side Story.
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2023: Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin
Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis/Getty
In 2023, Luhrmann and Martin’sElvis(2022) was nominated for Best Picture at the95th Academy Awards, and Martin was also nominated for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design on the film. They had both previously been nominated in 2002 forMoulin Rouge!in the same categories they later were forElvis, with Martin taking home both Oscars at that ceremony.
source: people.com
