Finally Getting Their Due!—Meet the Over-40 Stars Dominating This Year’s Oscar Nominations

The Oscar nominations are in and the most prestigious awards ceremony is having a midlife moment, celebrating our favorite women and men over the age of 40. While the celebrities gear up for Hollywood’s biggest night, learn more about the over-40 stars who were nominated and their incredible careers!

Best actress in a leading role

Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne, 46, might have only just received her first Oscar nomination but we’ve loved the actress for years. Byrne’s nomination for best actress in a lead role came after starring in the film, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, but we remember when she was killing it in Insidious (2010), Bridesmaids (2011), Neighbors (2014) and Spy (2015). After years of incredible work, the actress is finally getting her due!

Kate Hudson

It may be her second Oscar nomination but it’s her first for Best Actress in a Leading Role! Kate Hudson, 46, has been stealing our hearts in films like Almost Famous (2000), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Bride Wars (2009) and Something Borrowed (2011). Now, the actress has been nominated for best actress in a lead role for her film, Song Sung Blue. Hudson has been waiting over 25 years for an Oscar win so here’s hoping she scores one this year!

Best actor in a leading role

Leonardo DiCaprio

With 8 Oscar nominations under his belt and a 40+ year career, Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, is up for another trophy for his performance in One Battle after Another. After incredible performances in Titanic (1997), Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Shutter Island (2010), it’s time DiCaprio snagged another award. 

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Ethan Hawke

Ethan Hawke has been on your screen since he was 18 years old. Now, after 5 Oscar nominations and memorable roles in Dead Poet’s Society (1989), Before Sunrise (1995) and Training Day (2001), the 55-year-old actor has another chance to win for best actor in a lead role in the film Blue Moon.

Best actress in a supporting role

Amy Madigan

It’s been 40 years since Amy Madigan, 75, was nominated for an Academy Award for the film, Twice in a Lifetime, and now she’s received a second for her supporting role in Weapons. You’ve loved her in films like Streets of Fire (1984), Field of Dreams (1989) and Uncle Buck (1989) and now she’s ready to claim her well-deserved Oscar win. 

Best actor in a supporting role

Benicio Del Toro

The one-time Oscar winner is back with another nomination for his supporting role in One Battle after Another. Benicio Del Toro, 58, has starred in The Usual Suspects (1995), Traffic (2000), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Sicario (2015) and we’re ready to see him on that Oscar stage once more!

Sean Penn

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Sean Penn, 65, has been in the limelight since he was a teen, and you’ve seen him win two Oscars in the past. Now, the actor is back with another well-deserved nomination for his supporting role in One Battle after Another. Everyone loved him on screen in Dead Man Walking (1995), Mystic River (2003), 21 Grams (2003) and Milk (2008) and we’re ready to see him win again!

Stellan Skarsgård

The 74-year-old actor, Stellan Skarsgård, has been in some fan-favorite films like Good Will Hunting (1997), the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Mamma Mia! (2008). Now, after a nearly 50-year long career, the actor has received his first Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Sentimental Value. 

Make sure to tune into the 2026 Academy Awards Ceremony on March 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET on ABC and other streaming services!