The 98th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday will feature several nominees who have previously portrayed athletes in memorable film and television roles. From boxing rings to baseball diamonds and tennis courts, this year’s Oscar contenders have demonstrated their versatility by taking on sports-centric characters throughout their careers. According to the nominations announced earlier this year, actors like Michael B. Jordan, Emma Stone, and Leonardo DiCaprio all have athletic performances in their filmographies before landing their current Oscar nominations.
The Academy Awards will take place at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air on ABC and stream on platforms including Fubo, Disney+, and ESPN Unlimited.
Oscar Nominees With Notable Sports Roles
Michael B. Jordan, nominated for Best Actor for “Sinners,” built much of his early career on sports films. He portrayed Adonis Creed in the “Rocky” spinoff trilogy, showcasing intense boxing sequences that required significant physical preparation. Additionally, Jordan played a quarterback in the television series “Friday Night Lights” and appeared in the baseball film “Hardball” as a child actor.
Emma Stone, competing for Best Actress for “Bugonia,” previously embodied tennis legend Billie Jean King in “Battle of the Sexes.” According to The New York Times, Stone worked with professional tennis player Kaitlyn Christian to accurately portray King’s performance in the famous 1973 exhibition match against Bobby Riggs. This marks Stone’s third Oscar nomination for Best Actress, following previous wins for “La La Land” and “Poor Things.”
Leonardo DiCaprio and Classic Sports Dramas
Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for Best Actor for “One Battle After Another,” starred in “The Basketball Diaries” three decades ago. The film told the harrowing story of Jim Carroll, a promising basketball player who descended into drug addiction in New York City. The Basketball Diaries was adapted from Carroll’s actual autobiography, according to The New York Times archives.
Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet earned his latest Oscar nomination for “Marty Supreme,” a film centered around 1950s table tennis. The movie represents Chalamet’s most sports-focused role to date and includes appearances by former NBA players Kemba Walker and Tracy McGrady portraying Harlem Globetrotters. Off-screen, Chalamet is known as a college football enthusiast and regular courtside attendee at Madison Square Garden.
Tennis Takes Center Stage
Stellan Skarsgård, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for “Sentimental Value,” previously portrayed Swedish tennis coach Lennart Bergelin in “Borg vs. McEnroe.” The film dramatized the 1980 Wimbledon championship between Björn Borg and John McEnroe. Skarsgård’s character was depicted as the disciplined mentor who shaped Borg into a stoic competitor on the international tennis circuit.
However, tennis roles extend beyond Skarsgård and Stone among this year’s nominees. Rose Byrne, earning her first Oscar nomination for Best Actress for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” starred in the Apple TV series “Physical” as an aerobics instructor. According to Vogue, Byrne made a physical commitment to learning aerobics choreography during the show’s three-season run.
Baseball and Football Performances
Amy Madigan, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for “Weapons,” delivered an iconic performance in “Field of Dreams” as Annie Kinsella. Her role in the 1989 baseball fantasy film remains one of the most beloved sports movie characters in cinema history. This represents Madigan’s second Academy Award nomination, following her first in 1985 for “Twice in a Lifetime.”
Delroy Lindo, competing for Best Supporting Actor for “Sinners,” portrayed Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige in the 1996 HBO film “Soul of the Game.” The movie explored Negro League Baseball in postwar Kansas City. According to social media interviews, Lindo expressed both pride and nervousness about embodying such a legendary sports figure.
Jacob Elordi, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for “Frankenstein,” gained fame playing high school football player Nate Jacobs in HBO’s “Euphoria.” According to the Brisbane Times, Elordi was a high school rugby player in real life before a back injury redirected his career path toward acting. The third season of “Euphoria” is scheduled to premiere in April after a four-year hiatus.
Additional Athletic Roles Among Oscar Contenders
Benicio Del Toro, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for “One Battle After Another,” stole scenes as San Francisco Giants slugger Juan Primo in the 1996 thriller “The Fan.” The production used authentic Giants logos and uniforms for the baseball sequences. Del Toro is also known as a front-row regular at Los Angeles Lakers games.
Ethan Hawke, competing for Best Actor for “Blue Moon,” portrayed rugby player Nando Parrado in the 1993 film “Alive.” The movie dramatized the true story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes while carrying a rugby team to a match in Chile. According to The New York Times, Parrado was one of the survivors of the 1972 disaster.
Kate Hudson, nominated for Best Actress for “Song Sung Blue,” recently starred in the Netflix series “Running Point” as a basketball team president inspired by Jeanie Buss. The New York Times reported that Hudson’s character managed the fictional Los Angeles Waves franchise. Earlier in her career, Hudson also appeared as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader in Robert Altman’s “Dr. T & the Women.”
Teyana Taylor rounds out the athletic performances with her role in the 2023 remake of “White Men Can’t Jump,” earning a Best Supporting Actress nomination for “One Battle After Another.” Beyond acting, Taylor participated in last year’s Super Bowl flag football exhibition and collaborated with Air Jordan on the “Concrete Rose” sneaker release, which launches one day before the Academy Awards ceremony.
The winners will be announced during Sunday’s broadcast, with many industry observers noting the impressive range of performances among this year’s nominees. The ceremony will mark another milestone in Hollywood’s ongoing tradition of honoring actors who have demonstrated versatility across diverse genres, including sports films.
