2015 Oscars: What’s In An Age?
Thanks to AW forum member stage_star for this rundown of age stats for this year (and last year’s) nominees.
BEST DIRECTOR
Oldest nominee: Richard Linklater, age 51 (last year: Martin Scorsese, age 71)
Youngest nominee: Wes Anderson, age 45 (last year: Steve McQueen, age 44)
Average age: 49 (last year: 55)
Returning winners: – None
Returning nominees: Alejandro G. Iñarritu, Bennett Miller
First time directing nominees with previous nomination in other categories: Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater (both in writing)
Newcomers: Morten Tyldum
[divider]
BEST ACTOR
Oldest nominee: Michael Keaton, age 63 (last year: Bruce Dern, age 77)
Youngest nominee: Eddie Redmayne, age 33 (last year: Chiwetel Ejiofor, age 36)
Average age: 45 (last year: 47)
Returning winners: – None
Returning nominees: Bradley Cooper
Newcomers: Steve Carell, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Keaton, Eddie Redmayne
[divider]
BEST ACTRESS
Oldest nominee: Julianne Moore, age 54 (last year: Judi Dench, age 79)
Youngest nominee: Felicity Jones, age 31 (last year: Amy Adams, age 39)
Average age: 39 (last year: 55)
Returning winners: Marion Cotillard, Reese Witherspoon
Returning nominees: Julianne Moore
Newcomers: Felicity Jones, Rosamund Pike
[divider]
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Oldest nominee: Robert Duvall, age 84 (last year: Judi Dench, age 79)
Youngest nominee: Ethan Hawke, age 44 (last year: Amy Adams, age 39)
Average age: 56 (last year: 35)
Returning winners: Robert Duvall
Returning nominees: Ethan Hawke, Edward Norton, Mark Ruffalo
Newcomers: J. K. Simmons
[divider]
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Oldest nominee: Meryl Streep, age 65 (last year: June Squibb, age 84)
Youngest nominee: Emma Stone, age 26 (last year: Jennifer Lawrence, age 23)
Average age: 42 (last year: 44)
Returning winners: Meryl Streep
Returning nominees: Laura Dern, Keira Knightley
Newcomers: Patricia Arquette, Emma Stone
- Interview: ‘Pillion’ Director Harry Lighton and Star Harry Melling Bring Kink to the Mainstream - February 19, 2026
- Prime Video Announces Ensemble Cast of ‘Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat’ - February 19, 2026
- Academy Announces 27 Recipients From Wētā, ILM, DreamWorks Animation and More for Scientific and Technical Achievements - February 18, 2026


Director Watch Podcast Ep. 140 – ‘A Couch in New York’ (Chantal Akerman, 1996)
Interview: ‘Pillion’ Director Harry Lighton and Star Harry Melling Bring Kink to the Mainstream
Prime Video Announces Ensemble Cast of ‘Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat’
Academy Announces 27 Recipients From Wētā, ILM, DreamWorks Animation and More for Scientific and Technical Achievements