19 Stars Who Won Big Early: The Oscars Debut Winners List

Can you imagine winning the industry's highest honor on your very first try? For a select group of 19 individuals, this dream became a reality. These actors and screenwriters didn't just find a seat at the table; they took home a golden statue before their first press tour was even over.

Legendary Names on the Oscars Debut Winners List

Lupita Nyong'o set a gold standard in 2013 with her performance in '12 Years a Slave'. While she had directed a documentary before, this was her debut in front of the camera. She didn't just win an Oscar; she collected over 50 awards globally for the role, proving that some talents are undeniable from day one.

The list also features incredible young prodigies. Tatum O'Neal remains the youngest winner in history, taking home the Best Supporting Actress award at age 10 for 'Paper Moon' (1973). Similarly, Anna Paquin beat out 5,000 other hopefuls to land her role in 'The Piano', winning her first Oscar at just 11 years old.

Top 5 Most Notable Debut Winners

• 1st: Lupita Nyong'o (Won over 50 awards for her debut role)
• 2nd: Tatum O'Neal (Youngest winner ever at age 10)
• 3rd: Marlee Matlin (Youngest Best Actress at 21 and only deaf winner)
• 4th: Harold Russell (Won 2 Oscars for a single performance)
• 5th: Jennifer Hudson (First film role after American Idol, winning in 2007)