The Academy Awards for acting often don’t go to the most deserving performers. Instead of truly recognizing acting skill, the winners are frequently determined by aggressive campaigning, popularity, a performer’s overall career, and how well they’ve done in previous award shows. It’s been a long time since the four acting Oscars felt genuinely earned.
It’s always tricky to pick a “best” actor or actress, since judging performances is really a matter of opinion. However, 2007 was the last year when all four major Oscar acting awards went to genuinely outstanding performances – many consider it a high point for movies before the rise of superhero blockbusters and streaming TV changed things. As we look forward to this year’s awards and make our predictions, let’s remember that year.
Who Won All Four Acting Oscars at the 80th Academy Awards?
2007 is remembered as a standout year for movies. The biggest contenders for Best Picture at the Academy Awards—Joel and Ethan Coen’s No Country for Old Men and Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood—both received eight nominations. While No Country for Old Men ultimately won, both films were recognized with acting awards they rightfully deserved.
Daniel Day-Lewis delivered an unforgettable performance in There Will Be Blood, earning him his second Oscar (of three). He brilliantly portrayed the ruthless and isolated oilman, Daniel Plainview, in Paul Thomas Anderson’s sweeping adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s Oil. While Day-Lewis’s performance was exceptional, Javier Bardem also captivated audiences with his chilling portrayal of Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men, a role that earned him an Oscar and genuinely frightened viewers.
Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a legendary performance as Daniel Plainview, a deeply unpleasant man who seems incapable of kindness. The film powerfully portrays his relentless greed, bitterness towards others, and unwavering ambition as he pursues wealth during the rise of American industry, creating a uniquely compelling and disturbing character.
Javier Bardem’s terrifying performance as Chigurh in the Coen brothers’ brilliant film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men is just as unforgettable. His chilling demeanor, strange way of speaking, unpleasant appearance, and weapon of choice all combine to create a haunting villain. The mystery surrounding his past is as disturbing as the relentless violence he inflicts.
Marion Cotillard and Tilda Swinton both gave powerful performances, winning Best Leading and Supporting Actress awards. Cotillard brilliantly portrayed the legendary French singer Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, capturing her spirit despite the pressure of playing a national icon. She fully embodied the role, delivering a deeply moving and incredibly convincing performance – one of the most nuanced portrayals in any biopic. Swinton excelled as a corporate lawyer in Michael Clayton, demonstrating her range and skill.
Tilda Swinton delivers a remarkably controlled performance as Karen Crowder, a confident lawyer whose career falls apart when she’s manipulated by legal troubleshooter Michael Clayton (George Clooney). It’s a restrained and disciplined portrayal, unlike many of Swinton’s more flamboyant roles, and rarely matched in her subsequent work.
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Tilda Swinton gave a remarkably natural and honest performance, proving she excels at portraying realistic characters, not just eccentric ones. While her role as a defeated lawyer—complete with a flawless American accent and visible anxiety—isn’t glamorous, she shines alongside George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, and Sydney Pollack, delivering a truly powerful performance.
In 2008, all four acting Oscar winners truly deserved their awards. It hadn’t happened in nearly two decades – a situation where all four recipients felt completely worthy of the honor.
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2026-02-03 00:33