From Robert De Niro to Cillian Murphy, the Oscar’s Best Actor category has been awarded to some of the most esteemed male actors of all time.
The race for best actor in a leading role was packed with a powerhouse lineup this year, and the talent is off the charts. Props to AMPAS (aka the academy) for being able to choose just one—we couldn’t, that’s for sure.
But choose one, they did indeed, with the 2025 award going to Adrien Brody for his role in The Brutalist.
Who Was Nominated For Best Actor?
Adrien Brody – The Brutalist
Known for his pure talent in playing intense roles, Adrien Brody was the perfect casting for the historical drama, The Brutalist. Adrien’s turn in The Brutalist shows him embracing a role that’s extremely powerful and full of emotional depth. He’s no stranger to transformative roles, and this one has critics buzzing about his ability to transform into character—it’s safe to say, he deserves this nomination.
Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown
Ahh, the famous Timothee Chalamet (better known as Kylie Jenner’s current boy toy). Timothee continues to make waves in Hollywood, and this year he’s up for Best Actor for A Complete Unknown—after taking home gold for Best Actor at the recent SAG Awards—so if he wins an Oscar too.. wow Kylie knows what she’s doing.
Colman Domingo – Sing Sing
No, this isn’t Domingo from SNL (although he deserves an Oscar for his performance). We’re talking about the award-winning American actor Colman Jason Domingo. From stage to screen, Domingo’s magnetic presence always leaves our jaws on the floor. In Sing Sing, he captivates audiences with a performance that’s both raw and empathetic—we mean an innocent prisoner is a tough role to assume. Nonetheless, it’s a turn that reminds us why Domingo is one of the industry’s most respected talents.
Ralph Fiennes – Conclave
Well Ralph Fiennes here is a true legend, and he absolutely killed it in Conclave—obv, he’s nominated for an Oscar because of it. This role gave Ralph the opportunity to showcase his signature gravitas, as he becomes the leading character facing moral conflict and a world of complexity. His performance is nothing short of commanding, and the film provides the perfect stage for his unrivaled talent—hats off to you Ralph.
Sebastian Stan – The Apprentice
And last, but definitely not least, we have our resident hot-not, Sebastian Stan. For this role, Sebastian is far from the Marvel Universe, instead he’s playing a (very subjective) anti-hero—Donald Trump. Sebatian’s performance in The Apprentice is nothing short of incredible, bringing a fresh yet subtle intensity to the screen. Whether he’s confronting inner demons or grappling with morality as he portrays the rising of US president Donald Trump, his performance leaves a lasting impression—so clearly he was very deserving of his nomination.
Who Won Best Actor at the Oscars?
So, it’s safe to say all of these nominees are deserving of an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, but unfortunately there can only be one winner.. and that just happens to be… drum roll please… Adrien Brody!
Going 2-for-2 in the Best Actor category, we’re not surprised that the talented 51-year-old is cleaning up this award season.
