Hollywood is no stranger to romantic partnerships blooming between its stars. But when those connections extend beyond personal relationships into professional accolades, it becomes a noteworthy event. It’s not common for celebrity couples to earn Oscar nominations in the same year, making it an exceptional feat when it does occur.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Noah Baumbach & Greta Gerwig: 2020 & 2024
- Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin: 2002 & 2023
- Javier Bardem & Penelope Cruz: 2022
- Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons: 2022
- Alicia Vikander & Michael Fassbender: 2016
- Frances McDormand & Joel Coen: 1997
- Jack Nicholson & Angelica Huston: 1986
- John Cassavetes & Gena Rowlands: 1975
- Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward: 1969
- Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor: 1967
- Rachel Roberts & Rex Harrison: 1964
- Charles Laughton & Elsa Lanchester: 1957
- Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner: 1954
- Laurence Olivier & Vivien Leigh: 1940
- Alfred Lunt & Lynn Fontanne: 1932
- Conclusion
Introduction
The thrill of an Academy Award nomination is a significant milestone in any actor’s career. However, when that honor is shared with a spouse or a significant other, it becomes even more unique. Over the years, numerous Hollywood couples have experienced this unique joy, though the instances are relatively rare.
Noah Baumbach & Greta Gerwig: 2020 & 2024
The writer-director power couple, Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, despite their recent marriage in 2023, have already carved their niche in the Oscars. The couple was first nominated for their individual movies in 2020: Gerwig’s Little Women and Baumbach’s Marriage Story. Even though the Best Picture award went to Parasite, Baumbach and Gerwig did not leave empty-handed. Baumbach received a nomination for Best Original Screenplay while Gerwig was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
In 2024, the creative duo made the headlines again with their collaborative effort on the Barbie screenplay. The film, directed by Gerwig, earned them a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and a nomination for Best Picture.
Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin: 2002 & 2023
Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin have been making waves in the film industry since their marriage in 1997. Their collaborative works, including Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, and The Great Gatsby, have earned them global recognition.
In 2002, their film Moulin Rouge! landed them nominations for Best Picture. Although they didn’t clinch the win, Martin bagged the awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. The couple was nominated again in 2023 for their work on Elvis, but they didn’t take home any awards.
Javier Bardem & Penelope Cruz: 2022
In 2022, the stunning couple, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, celebrated their dual nominations. Cruz was nominated for her leading role in Parallel Mothers, while Bardem’s portrayal of Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos earned him a nomination.
Kirsten Dunst & Jesse Plemons: 2022
In the same year, Kirsten Dunst and her then-fiancé Jesse Plemons both received nominations before tying the knot in July. Dunst was recognized for Best Supporting Actress, and Plemons for Best Supporting Actor for their roles in The Power of the Dog. Unfortunately, neither won an award.
Alicia Vikander & Michael Fassbender: 2016
Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender, who would later marry in 2017, celebrated their Oscar nominations together in 2016. Vikander was nominated and won Best Actress for The Danish Girl. Although Fassbender didn’t win, his work in Steve Jobs did not go unnoticed.
Frances McDormand & Joel Coen: 1997
In 1997, married couple Frances McDormand and Joel Coen celebrated their Oscar nominations for Fargo. McDormand won Best Actress, and Coen won Best Original Screenplay. The couple has been together since 1984.
Jack Nicholson & Angelica Huston: 1986
Jack Nicholson and Angelica Huston, who were dating at the time, also made it to this exclusive list with their nominations for Prizzi’s Honor in 1986. Nicholson missed out on the Best Actor award, but Huston won Best Supporting Actress.
John Cassavetes & Gena Rowlands: 1975
John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands, married for two decades by 1975, were both nominated for A Woman Under the Influence. Cassavetes was nominated for Best Director and Rowlands for Best Actress, but neither won.
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward: 1969
Hollywood power couple Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, married since 1958, were nominated in 1969 for the film Rachel, Rachel. Newman was a producer nominated for Best Picture, and Woodward was nominated for Best Actress. Unfortunately, neither of them won, but they left the ceremony as happy as ever.
Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor: 1967
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s turbulent relationship was highlighted in 1967 when they both received nominations for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Taylor won Best Actress, while Burton was nominated for Best Actor.
Rachel Roberts & Rex Harrison: 1964
In 1964, Rachel Roberts and Rex Harrison both found themselves in the Oscar spotlight. Roberts was nominated for Best Actress for This Sporting Life, and Harrison for Best Actor in Cleopatra. Neither of them won in their category.
Charles Laughton & Elsa Lanchester: 1957
Charles Laughton and his wife Elsa Lanchester were nominated for their roles in the 1957 film, Witness for the Prosecution. Laughton was nominated for Best Actor and Lanchester for Best Supporting Actress, but neither of them won.
Frank Sinatra & Ava Gardner: 1954
The superstar couple, Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, both received nominations in 1954 — Sinatra for Best Supporting Actor for From Here to Eternity, and Gardner for Best Actress in Mogambo. Sinatra was the only one to take home an Oscar that night.
Laurence Olivier & Vivien Leigh: 1940
Acting legends Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh were nominated months before their marriage in August 1940. Olivier was nominated for his role in Wuthering Heights, while Leigh became the first British actress to win for Gone with the Wind.
Alfred Lunt & Lynn Fontanne: 1932
Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne set the bar high as the first married couple in Oscar history to be nominated in the same year. They both starred in The Guardsman, and they were both nominated in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories. Neither of them won in their category.
