Clawing their way to the top
Let’s be honest: Us magazine is the only required reading before the Oscars. My favorite feature of theirs was “Oscar Stars’ Embarrassing Pasts: Cheesy TV! Acting with animals! These nominees took the long way to their big nods.‿
The photo of Charlize Theron gazing tenderly into an ape’s eyes was more than worth the cover price.
We like our winners to pay their dues, don’t we? That’s why I have such a problem with the Best Supporting Actress category. Mira Sorvino, Marisa Tomei, Anna Paquin, I’m talking to you: Let’s see a few more guest shots on “Law & Order: SVU‿ before you get all grabby with that trophy.
Here are the humble beginnings Us dug up on the nominees:
George Clooney, “The Facts of Life‿
He’s been refreshingly self-deprecating about his stint in the trenches with Tootie, and how he’s gotten into the personas of various characters through … his hair. Also notable: guest shots on “Hunter‿ and “The Golden Girls.‿ Remind me to rent 1987’s “Return to Horror High.‿
Joaquin Phoenix, “Murder, She Wrote‿
The accompanying photo shows him being protectively shielded by Angela Lansbury herself. This was back in the day when Joaquin was still calling himself “Leaf.‿ Also notable: “The Fall Guy,‿ “Hill Street Blues,‿ and who can forget 1986’s “SpaceCamp‿?
Charlize Theron, “Mighty Joe Young‿
Fairly embarrassing, yes. But Theron has about as dignified a resume as you’re going to get in Hollywood. There was the uncredited bit in 1995’s “Children of the Corn III,‿ and I adored her as the blonde who falls in love with her dentist in “That Thing You Do!‿ Anytime she’s co-starring with Keanu Reeves, I’m watching.
Catherine Keener, “Johnny Suede‿
This is where she became all buddy-buddy with Brad Pitt, so it wasn’t all for naught. My favorite credit, though: “Cocktail Waitress‿ in 1986’s “About Last Night.‿ Interestingly, she also played a waitress in the episode of “L.A. Law‿ titled “The House of the Rising Flan.‿
Matt Dillon, “Little Darlings‿
Hey, I’m not going to bad-mouth any movie starring Tatum O’Neal about teens losing their virginity at summer camp. I’m just not going to. (“Little Darlings‿ is also worth seeing because “Sex and the City’s‿ Cynthia Nixon -- blonde, perky -- is part of the ensemble.) Matt Dillon was a teen dream in everything from “My Bodyguard‿ to “The Outsiders.‿ Let’s do it for Johnny, man!
Michelle Williams, “Lassie‿
I don’t recall this 1994 effort, but I’m sure Williams acquitted herself nicely. She also guest-starred around the same time on “Baywatch.‿ Promise me you’ll rent 1999’s “Dick‿ and watch Williams croon Olivia Newton-John’s “I Honestly Love You‿ into a tape recorder for her secret teen crush, Richard Nixon?
