Foreign language performances that competed at the Academy Awards

Penélope Cruz earned her first Oscar nomination after starring in Pedro Almodóvar’s 'Volver.' She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' (2008) (though the film was in English with Spanish), and recently received her third nomination for Best Actress in 'Parallel Mothers' (2021).

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Isabelle Adjani - ‘The Story of Adele H.’ (1975) -

French actress Isabelle Adjani competed for Best Actress at the 48th Academy Awards with her performance as Victor Hugo’s daughter, Adèle, in the historical romance 'The Story of Adele H' (languages French and English). Adjani earned a second nomination for her leading role in the French drama 'Camille Claudel' (1988).

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Sophia Loren - ‘Two Women’ (1960) -

Sophia Loren’s first Oscar was for her leading role in Vittorio De Sica’s 'Two Women.' Nominated for Best Actress, Loren won the prize over the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Natalie Wood.

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Melina Mercouri - 'Never on Sunday' (1960) -

Greek actress Melina Mercouri became the first person to earn an acting Oscar nomination for a foreign-language performance (the film's languages were English, Greek, and Russian). She was nominated for Best Actress for her role as the prostitute Ilya. The film also received a Best Director nom.

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Liv Ullmann - ‘The Emigrants’ (1971) -

Norwegian star Liv Ullmann earned her first Oscar nomination for her performance in the drama 'The Emigrants,' which also competed for Best Picture and Best Director. She earned her second Oscar nomination for her role in Ingmar Bergman’s psychological drama 'Face to Face' (1976).

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Marion Cotillard - ‘La Vie en Rose’ (2007) -

Marion Cotillard became the second woman in history to win the Best Actress Oscar for a foreign-language film performance in her role as Édith Piaf in 'La Vie en Rose' (the film's languages were French and English). She earned a second nomination as Best Actress for her performance in 'Two Days, One Night' (2014).

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Roberto Benigni - ‘Life is Beautiful’ (1997) -

Roberto Benigni became the first performer in Oscars history to win Best Actor for a foreign-language performance for his role in 'Life is Beautiful.’ He also directed and co-wrote the film.

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Marcello Mastroianni - ‘Divorce Italian Style’ (1961) -

This Italian comedy earned Marcello Mastroianni the Best Actor nomination at the 35th Academy Awards. The nomination was the first time a male actor competed for an acting Oscar for a foreign-language performance. He earned a second Oscar nomination for his 1977 film 'A Special Day' (1977).

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Marcello Mastroianni - ‘Dark Eyes’ (1987) -

Marcello Mastroianni competed for his third and final Best Actor Oscar with a nomination for Nikita Mikhalkov’s drama 'Dark Eyes.' The actor plays an Italian man who falls in love with a married Russian woman. The film's languages are Italian, Russian, and French.

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Isabelle Huppert - ‘Elle’ (2016) -

Isabelle Huppert’s fearless performance as a sexual assault survivor in Paul Verhoeven’s 'Elle' earned her a nomination for the Best Actress Oscar at the 89th Academy Awards. She lost to Emma Stone for 'La La Land' (2016).

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Ingrid Bergman - ‘Autumn Sonata’ (1978) -

Ingrid Bergman’s final film performance in Ingmar Bergman’s 'Autumn Sonata' earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Bergman hadn’t spoken Swedish on screen in years, but lost the Oscar to Jane Fonda for 'Coming Home' (1978).

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Javier Bardem - ‘Biutiful’ (2010) -

Following his Oscar win for the English-language film 'No Country for Old Men' (2007), Javier Bardem received another Academy Award nomination for his Spanish-language performance in 'Biutiful.'

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Anouk Aimée - ‘A Man and a Woman’ (1966) -

Anouk Aimée became the first French performer to earn an acting Oscar nomination when she competed for Best Actress at the 39th Academy Awards. The film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

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Ida Kamińska - ‘The Shop on Main Street’ (1965) -

Alongside Anouk Aimée, Polish actress Ida Kamińska was also up for Best Actress at the 39th Academy Awards. She played the near-deaf Jewish woman in the Czechoslovakia drama ‘The Shop on Main Street.’

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Sophia Loren - ‘Marriage Italian Style' (1964) -

Sophia Loren earned her second Oscar nomination for Best Actress thanks to Vittorio De Sica’s 'Marriage Italian Style.' This time, Loren lost the prize to Julie Andrews for 'Mary Poppins' (1964).

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Catalina Sandino Moreno - 'Maria Full of Grace’ (2004) -

Colombian actress Catalina Sandino Moreno was nominated for Best Actress for her breakthrough role in 'Maria Full of Grace.'

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Christoph Waltz - ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009) -

Christoph Waltz’s Oscar win for Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 film became the third foreign-language film performance in a row to win an Academy Award. While he speaks in English in the film, his role primarily uses French and German.

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Robert De Niro - 'The Godfather: Part II' (1974) -

Robert De Niro’s role in 'The Godfather: Part II' made him an Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor at the 47th Academy Awards. He largely spoke Italian in the role as the young Vito Corleone.

18 / 31 Fotos

Fernanda Montenegro - ‘Central Station’ (1998) -

Brazilian actress Fernanda Montenegro landed in the Best Actress race for her performance in 'Central Station.' Montenegro played a retired schoolteacher who befriends a young boy.

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Yalitza Aparicio - ‘Roma’ (2018) -

Yalitza Aparicio made her film debut as Cleo in Alfonso Cuarón's 'Roma,' which earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film received 10 nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, winning three of them including Best Foreign Language Film.

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Massimo Troisi - ‘The Postman’ (1994) -

Michael Radford’s Italian and Spanish-language drama 'The Postman' earned several nominations at the 68th Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Massimo Troisi.

21 / 31 Fotos

Demián Bichir - ‘A Better Life’ (2011) -

Mexican actor Demián Bichir received a Best Actor nomination at the 84th Academy Awards for his predominantly Spanish-language performance in Chris Weitz’s immigrant drama 'A Better Life.'

22 / 31 Fotos

Emmanuelle Riva - ‘Amour’ (2012) -

French legend Emmanuelle Riva became the oldest Best Actress Oscar nominee in history when she landed a nomination at 85 for her role in 'Amour.' The film won the Best Foreign Language Film prize.

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Max von Sydow - ‘Pelle the Conqueror’ (1987) -

Max von Sydow's performance in the Swedish drama 'Pelle the Conqueror' landed him a Best Actor nomination at the 61st Academy Awards. The legendary actor lost to Dustin Hoffman for 'Rain Man' (1988).

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Benicio del Toro - ‘Traffic’ (2000) -

Benicio del Toro earned a nomination and won the award at the 73rd Academy Awards for his Spanish-language role in Steven Soderbergh’s 'Traffic.'

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Catherine Deneuve - ‘Indochine’ (1992) -

The iconic French actress earned her first and only acting Oscar nomination for playing plantation owner Éliane Devries in 'Indochine.' The drama won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

26 / 31 Fotos

Giancarlo Giannini - ‘Seven Beauties’ (1976) -

Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini competed at the 49th Academy Awards for Best Actor for his role in Lina Wertmüller’s 'Seven Beauties.' It was a historic year for foreign-language film performances with Liv Ullman nominated for 'Face to Face' (1976).

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Gérard Depardieu - ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ (1990) -

Gérard Depardieu played the protagonist in Jean-Paul Rappeneau’s adaptation of the 1897 play of the same name. He earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor at the 63rd Academy Awards, but lost to Jeremy Irons for 'Reversal of Fortune' (1990).

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Valentina Cortese - ‘Day for Night’ (1973) -

Italian actress Valentina Cortese (right) became the first performer to be nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for a foreign language performance.

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Adriana Barraza - 'Babel' (2006) -

Adriana Barraza’s predominantly Spanish-language performance in 'Babel' earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 79th Academy Awards.

Sources: (IndieWire) (Entertainment Weekly) (The Hollywood Reporter)

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BrunoPress

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Penélope Cruz - ‘Volver’ (2006) -

BrunoPress

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Isabelle Adjani - ‘The Story of Adele H.’ (1975) -

BrunoPress

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Sophia Loren - ‘Two Women’ (1960) -

Sophia Loren’s first Oscar was for her leading role in Vittorio De Sica’s 'Two Women.' Nominated for Best Actress, Loren won the prize over the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Natalie Wood.

BrunoPress

3 / 31 Fotos

Melina Mercouri - 'Never on Sunday' (1960) -

BrunoPress

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Liv Ullmann - ‘The Emigrants’ (1971) -

BrunoPress

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Marion Cotillard - ‘La Vie en Rose’ (2007) -

BrunoPress

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Roberto Benigni - ‘Life is Beautiful’ (1997) -

Roberto Benigni became the first performer in Oscars history to win Best Actor for a foreign-language performance for his role in 'Life is Beautiful.’ He also directed and co-wrote the film.

BrunoPress

7 / 31 Fotos

Marcello Mastroianni - ‘Divorce Italian Style’ (1961) -

BrunoPress

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Marcello Mastroianni - ‘Dark Eyes’ (1987) -

BrunoPress

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Isabelle Huppert - ‘Elle’ (2016) -

BrunoPress

10 / 31 Fotos

Ingrid Bergman - ‘Autumn Sonata’ (1978) -

BrunoPress

11 / 31 Fotos

Javier Bardem - ‘Biutiful’ (2010) -

Following his Oscar win for the English-language film 'No Country for Old Men' (2007), Javier Bardem received another Academy Award nomination for his Spanish-language performance in 'Biutiful.'

BrunoPress

12 / 31 Fotos

Anouk Aimée - ‘A Man and a Woman’ (1966) -

Anouk Aimée became the first French performer to earn an acting Oscar nomination when she competed for Best Actress at the 39th Academy Awards. The film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

BrunoPress

13 / 31 Fotos

Ida Kamińska - ‘The Shop on Main Street’ (1965) -

BrunoPress

14 / 31 Fotos

Sophia Loren - ‘Marriage Italian Style' (1964) -

Sophia Loren earned her second Oscar nomination for Best Actress thanks to Vittorio De Sica’s 'Marriage Italian Style.' This time, Loren lost the prize to Julie Andrews for 'Mary Poppins' (1964).

BrunoPress

15 / 31 Fotos

Catalina Sandino Moreno - 'Maria Full of Grace’ (2004) -

Colombian actress Catalina Sandino Moreno was nominated for Best Actress for her breakthrough role in 'Maria Full of Grace.'

BrunoPress

16 / 31 Fotos

Christoph Waltz - ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009) -

BrunoPress

17 / 31 Fotos

Robert De Niro - 'The Godfather: Part II' (1974) -

Robert De Niro’s role in 'The Godfather: Part II' made him an Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor at the 47th Academy Awards. He largely spoke Italian in the role as the young Vito Corleone.

BrunoPress

18 / 31 Fotos

Fernanda Montenegro - ‘Central Station’ (1998) -

Brazilian actress Fernanda Montenegro landed in the Best Actress race for her performance in 'Central Station.' Montenegro played a retired schoolteacher who befriends a young boy.

BrunoPress

19 / 31 Fotos

Yalitza Aparicio - ‘Roma’ (2018) -

BrunoPress

20 / 31 Fotos

Massimo Troisi - ‘The Postman’ (1994) -

Michael Radford’s Italian and Spanish-language drama 'The Postman' earned several nominations at the 68th Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Massimo Troisi.

BrunoPress

21 / 31 Fotos

Demián Bichir - ‘A Better Life’ (2011) -

Mexican actor Demián Bichir received a Best Actor nomination at the 84th Academy Awards for his predominantly Spanish-language performance in Chris Weitz’s immigrant drama 'A Better Life.'

BrunoPress

22 / 31 Fotos

Emmanuelle Riva - ‘Amour’ (2012) -

French legend Emmanuelle Riva became the oldest Best Actress Oscar nominee in history when she landed a nomination at 85 for her role in 'Amour.' The film won the Best Foreign Language Film prize.

BrunoPress

23 / 31 Fotos

Max von Sydow - ‘Pelle the Conqueror’ (1987) -

Max von Sydow's performance in the Swedish drama 'Pelle the Conqueror' landed him a Best Actor nomination at the 61st Academy Awards. The legendary actor lost to Dustin Hoffman for 'Rain Man' (1988).

BrunoPress

24 / 31 Fotos

Benicio del Toro - ‘Traffic’ (2000) -

Benicio del Toro earned a nomination and won the award at the 73rd Academy Awards for his Spanish-language role in Steven Soderbergh’s 'Traffic.'

BrunoPress

25 / 31 Fotos

Catherine Deneuve - ‘Indochine’ (1992) -

The iconic French actress earned her first and only acting Oscar nomination for playing plantation owner Éliane Devries in 'Indochine.' The drama won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

BrunoPress

26 / 31 Fotos

Giancarlo Giannini - ‘Seven Beauties’ (1976) -

BrunoPress

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Gérard Depardieu - ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ (1990) -

BrunoPress

28 / 31 Fotos

Valentina Cortese - ‘Day for Night’ (1973) -

Italian actress Valentina Cortese (right) became the first performer to be nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for a foreign language performance.

BrunoPress

29 / 31 Fotos

Adriana Barraza - 'Babel' (2006) -

Adriana Barraza’s predominantly Spanish-language performance in 'Babel' earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 79th Academy Awards.

Sources: (IndieWire) (Entertainment Weekly) (The Hollywood Reporter)

BrunoPress

30 / 31 Fotos

Foreign language performances that competed at the Academy Awards

Non-English performances that received Oscar recognition

05/03/24 | StarsInsider

MOVIES Oscars

It can be tough for foreign language movies to break into major Oscar categories like Best Picture and Best Director, but over the years many actors have been lucky to receive recognition for their foreign-language film performances, with some even taking home the coveted golden statue.

From Sophia Loren to Penélope Cruz, click through this gallery for non-English performances that competed at the Academy Awards.