Best Supporting Actor is the most packed and wide-open category of this Awards Season. Using the nomination results so far, there appear to be a few locks for the BAFTAs and the Oscars – but there’s always the possibility of a surprise or two. Even though there are only five available spots, each of these 14 actors (listed in alphabetical order) deserves strong consideration:
Barkhad Abdi “Captain Phillips” – The first time actor goes toe-to-toe with Best Actor nominee lock Tom Hanks as the Somali Pirate captain, and steals the show in several scenes. He even came-up with the line: “I’m the Captain now” himself! (BFCA, GG, SAG Nominee)
Daniel Bruhl “Rush” – While I didn’t stand and cheer for Ron Howard’s racing drama, Bruhl is excellent in a physically demanding role. (BFCA, GG, SAG Nominee)
Steve Coogan “Philomena” – The British comedian shines along side Best Actress contender Judi Dench in a role that was out of his wheelhouse. He also co-wrote the powerful screenplay.
Bradley Cooper “American Hustle” – For me, the most impressive performance from David O. Russell’s ensemble crime dramedy. Cooper even tops his own great work in last year’s “Silver Linings Playbook”. (BFCA, GG Nominee)
Colin Farrell “Saving Mr. Banks” – While Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks are attracting the most attention for Disney’s “Mary Poppins” drama, Farrell is riveting as the alcoholic father of the young P.L. Travers’ – the true inspiration for the story of the flying nanny.
Michael Fassbender “12 Years a Slave” – Fassbender dominates the second half of Steve McQueen’s historical piece with his hold-nothing-back performance as a ruthless plantation owner. (BFCA, GG, SAG Nominee)
Harrison Ford “42” – As Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey, Ford plays a man who puts his career on the line for all the right reasons by making Jackie Robinson Major League Baseball’s first African-American player.
Will Forte “Nebraska” – Best known for his years on “Saturday Night Live”, Forte’s subtle, breakthrough dramatic performance as Bruce Dern’s son is difficult to ignore.
James Gandolfini “Enough Said” – The late actor demonstrates his tremendous range with this down-to-Earth performance as a middle-aged divorcee looking for love. (BFCA, SAG Nominee)
Jake Gyllenhaal “Prisoners” – As a detective desperately trying to solve a disappearance case, Gyllenhaal is the emotional center of the film. The car scene with Hugh Jackman in the final act is one of the best of the year.
Tom Hanks “Saving Mr. Banks” – Even though he doesn’t exactly look or sound like him, the two-time Oscar winner is outstanding as the legendary Walt Disney, highlighted by remarkable seven-minute monologue in the film’s pivital scene.
Jared Leto “Dallas Buyers Club” – The singer and “My So Called Life” star is transcendent as a transvestite battle AIDS. He and star Matthew McConaughey have been nomination locks since the film’s release in November, and deservedly so. (BFCA, GG, SAG Nominee)
Sam Rockwell “The Way, Way Back” – The coming-of-age Summertime comedy features a stellar Steve Carell and an equally impressive Rockwell as a theme park owner and true best friend of a shy 14-year-old (Liam James).
Geoffrey Rush “The Book Thief” – Nominated in 2011 for “The King’s Speech”, Rush is excellent once again as the caring “Papa” to young Liesel (Sophie Nelisse) in this WWII melodrama.