Montana's Interesting Connection With The 'Oscars'

Montana has a rich history when it comes to movies and the Academy Awards. The recent nomination of Lily Gladstone has been exciting for fellow Montanans. She has been interviewed lately and has been gracious about her beginnings in Montana.

Lily is making history by being the first indigenous person nominated for the Best Actress category at the Academy Awards. There have been other Oscar connections to Montana that you may not be aware of. From actors, animators, and producers, let's take a look at some of the Oscar connections to Montana.

Gary Cooper- Gary Cooper was born and raised in Helena, Montana. He was nominated for 5 Best Actor Academy Awards and won two. He won for Sergeant York and High Noon. He was also given an honorary Academy Award in 1961 for his body of work in cinema.

Michelle Williams- Michelle Williams was born in Kalispell, Montana. She has been nominated for five Academy Awards, including in 2023 for her role in The Fabelmans. She was also nominated for her roles in Manchester By The Sea, My Week With Marilyn, Blue Valentine and Brokeback Mountain.

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J.K. Simmons- J.K. Simmons wasn't born in Montana, but spent time here while attending the University of Montana and graduating in 1978. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie Whiplash.

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Jeff Bridges- Jeff Bridges wasn't born in Montana, but has lived in Montana for over 3 decades. Jeff has been nominated for seven Academy Awards, with one Best Actor win for his role in the film Crazy Heart in 2010.

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Peter Fonda- Peter Fonda had a residence in Montana for decades before his death in 2019. He was nominated for two Academy Awards, one for Best Original Screenplay for the movie Easy Rider and one Best Actor nomination for his role in Ulee's Gold.

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Andrea Leeds- Andrea Leeds was born in Butte, Montana. Andrea was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in the 1937 movie Stage Door.

Myrna Loy- Myrna Loy was born in Helena, Montana and raised in Radersberg, Montana. She was never nominated for an Academy Award, but was given an Honorary Academy Award in 1991. The Myrna Loy theater is located in Helena.

Martha Ray- Martha Ray was born in Butte, Montana. She wasn't nominated for an Academy Award through her career, but she was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in the form of an Oscar in 1968.

David Lynch- David Lynch was born in Missoula, Montana. He has been nominated for four Academy Awards for directing. He was given an Honorary Academy Award in 2019.

Sam Peckinpah- Sam Peckinpah wasn't born in Montana, but he occasionally lived at the Murray Hotel in Livingston, Montana, according to Wikipedia.com His 1969 Western, The Wild Bunch received and Academy Award nomination.

Brad Bird- Brad Bird was born in Kalispell, Montana. He is an animator. he both wrote and directed The Incredibles and Ratatouille for Pixar. Both of those movies won Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Films.

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Gerald R. Molen- Gerald R. Molen is a film producer who was born in Great Falls, Montana. He won an Academy Award for co-producing the film Schindler's List.

This weekend lot of Montana will be watching the 95th Academy Awards rooting for another person from Montana to make cinematic history.