These 20 actors bagged an Academy Award before turning 30

Turns out, age is just a number when it comes to talent. You're not defined by the ticking of the clock but by the dedication and brilliance you bring to the table. In this fast-moving, relentless world, you must make a place of your own. Hollywood operates the same way—go big or go home. Taking home an Academy Award is considered to be the pinnacle of an actor's career, but doing so before the age of 30? That’s making history. The following is a list of 20 phenomenal Hollywood stars who immortalized their names by bagging an Oscar before turning 30.

1) Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn is known for her bold attitude and fierce acting skills. She is one of those rare women who paved their way to the top of the industry at a very young age. She won four Academy Awards throughout her acting career, setting a record for actresses. She was awarded her first Oscar for Best Actress at just 26 for the film, Morning Glory.

2) Gwyneth Paltrow

This iconic star won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1999, when she was only 26, for her unforgettable performance in the critically acclaimed film, Shakespeare in Love. After this big win, Gwyneth Paltrow’s career soared to unimaginable heights. She is also known for her commendable presence in movies like The Talented Mr. Ripley, Seven, Iron Man, and many more.

3) Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand stands among the most celebrated and honored figures in the industry. At the young age of just 26, she bagged an Academy Award for Best Actress for her witty, breathtaking role as Fanny Brice in the 1968 film, Funny Girl. Besides being an actress, she is widely known as a singer, songwriter, director, and producer, and became one of the first to claim an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).

4) Audrey Hepburn

A timeless influence in the world of fashion and cinema, Audrey Hepburn earned an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1954 at just 24 years old for her debut leading role as Princess Ann in the classic rom-com Roman Holiday. She became an epitome of grace and beauty in the industry and was globally praised for her later performances in Breakfast at Tiffany's, My Fair Lady, and more.

5) Anne Baxter

Anne Baxter was merely 24 years old when she was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1947 for the film, The Razor's Edge. She dazzled the crowd with her memorable performance as Sophie MacDonald, a woman trapped in the shadows of post-war despair. She also delivered unforgettable performances in movies like All About Eve, I Confess, Yellow Sky, and several others.

6) Emma Stone

Beautifully nailing the role of Mia Dolan, a struggling artist in the harsh world of Los Angeles, Emma Stone won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 2017 for the musical romance drama, La La Land. Her inspiring performance at just 28 years old won the hearts of many. Beyond her La La Land triumph, Stone has showcased her versatility through a wide range of roles, including Poor Things, Cruella, The Amazing Spider-Man, and more.

7) Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr. snagged the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1997, for his charismatic delivery of the role of Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire. Portraying the exuberant, money-hungry athlete, Gooding balanced charm, and impeccable humour in the character that became the film's heartbeat. His other notable performances include Boyz n the Hood, Gladiator, Men of Honour, and others.

8) Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor was one of the most elegant and talented actresses Hollywood has ever seen. She was 29 when she won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1961 for playing the bold role of a call girl named Gloria Wondrous in the movie Butterfield 8. Although she wasn't particularly fond of this character, she managed to deliver an Oscar-winning performance. Her other outstanding on-screen appearances include Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and many more.

9) Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is an icon in the history of Hollywood, who took home not one but two Academy Awards under the age of 30. She was 26 when she won her first Oscar in 1989 for her sensational performance in The Accused, and 28 at the time of her second Oscar in 1992 for her phenomenal acting in The Silence of the Lambs. Foster also remains one of the youngest Oscar nominees to receive a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as Iris in Taxi Driver at the age of 14.

10) Adrien Brody

Adrien Brody delivered one of the most splendid performances of his acting career in The Pianist, directed by Roman Polanski, that fetched him an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2003 at the age of just 29. His powerful portrayal of Władysław Szpilman, a struggling Jewish pianist, set against the backdrop of the Holocaust, earned him widespread acclaim from the audience. His other remarkable roles came in The Darjeeling Limited, The Brutalist, and others.

11) Hilary Swank

One of the most versatile actresses in Hollywood, Hilary Swank excelled at the age of 26 with her daunting performance in Kimberly Peirce’s creation, Boys Don't Cry. Her role as a transgender man adjusting to life in a small town earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2000. Her raw talent and brilliance in fully embodying and understanding her characters sets her apart.

12) Angelina Jolie

Of course, Angelina Jolie is going to be on this list. At only 24, she bagged her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 2000 for her breathtaking performance in the film, Girl, Interrupted. Her character was that of a young woman grappling with mental illness in a psychiatric ward. With her immense acting skills and expertise, she totally nailed the character. Jolie also starred in other noteworthy films like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Maleficent, A Mighty Heart, and many more.

13) Heath Ledger

One of the most celebrated Hollywood stars, Heath Ledger, was posthumously awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2009 for his chilling, riveting portrayal of the Joker, in The Dark Knight. His untimely passing at the age of 28 evoked immense sorrow among his fans. His performance in The Dark Knight continues to inspire actors and filmmakers, ensuring that the legacy of the Joker is immortalized in the history of cinema.

14) Natalie Portman

For her outstanding on-screen presence in Black Swan, Natalie Portman won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2011 at just the age of 29. Her powerful depiction of Nina, a ballet dancer struggling with her spiraling frame of mind, left a lasting impression on the audience. She remains one of the most revered actresses of her time in Hollywood. Her other notable performances were in movies like Léon, Star Wars, Closer, and many more.

15) Jennifer Lawrence

Having won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2013 for her leading role in Silver Linings Playbook, Jennifer Lawrence became one of the youngest actresses in the industry to receive an Oscar. At just 22 years old, Lawrence delivered a flawless portrayal of Tiffany, a woman torn between her struggles and her journey to self-discovery.

16) Tatum O’Neal

Tatum O’Neal was just a kid when she brought her first Oscar home, becoming the youngest actor in the history of Hollywood ever to achieve this feat. At just 10 years old, she starred as an orphan alongside her father, Ryan O’Neal, in the film Paper Moon. In 1974 she was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her outstanding performance and remarkable maturity.

17) Timothy Hutton

Timothy Hutton made it to the Oscars when he was just 20 years old. He played the role of Conrad Jarrett, a teen struggling with loss and guilt, in the movie Ordinary People, and his gripping performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1981. Later in his career, Timothy started in movies like Taps and The Dark Half and the action-crime series Leverage.

18) Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson achieved remarkable success early in her career. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2007 for her brilliant performance in Dreamgirls when she was only 25. With her famous rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” she created a moment of pure magic, stealing the show and winning hearts everywhere. She is also among the youngest African-American EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winners.

19) Reese Witherspoon

With her jaw-dropping versatility throughout the film Walk the Line, Reese Witherspoon won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 2006 at 29. She played the lead role of June Carter Cash opposite Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash, delivering a phenomenal performance. Some of her iconic movies and shows include Legally Blonde, The Man in the Moon, The Morning Show, and Big Little Lies.

21) Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin’s Oscar moment came at the age of 21 when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1987 for her exceptional performance in her debut film, Children of a Lesser God. Matlin's portrayal of Sarah Norman was truly empowering, as she played the role of a deaf woman while being deaf herself. Her inspiring performance made her the first deaf artist to receive an Oscar.