Early roles from this year's Oscar nominees you probably forgot about


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THE TIME CAPSULE — Oscar Sunday is nearly upon us and many familiar faces are up for the coveted Academy Awards.

In preparation for Hollywood’s biggest night, I thought I’d go back and look at some of the early roles of some of 2018’s acting awards nominees.

I got this idea when a friend of mine recently watched “Groundhog Day” and realized two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon has a small role in the film. He plays a soon-to-be groom with cold feet.

Shannon isn’t up for a golden statue this year, but I dug through the internet to find some other early roles from Oscar nominees you probably forgot about.

Allison Janney: “Miracle on 34th Street

Nominated this year for Best Supporting Actress in "I Tonya"

Allison Janney is one of those actresses you see and ask yourself, “How do I know her? What’s she in?” The truth is, she's in a lot and the Oscar nomination for her performance in “I, Tonya,” will likely make her a household name. But some of you may remember seeing her for a split second in the 1994 remake of “Miracle on 34th Street.”

Allison Janney in "Miracle on 34th Street." (Photo: Giphy)
Allison Janney in "Miracle on 34th Street." (Photo: Giphy)

Janney’s role is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it part, but when you watch this movie again you’ll do a double take when you realize that woman is now an A-list actress.

Woody Harrelson: “Wildcats

Nominated this year for Best Supporting Actor in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"

Woody Harrelson is now a huge movie star with three Oscar nominations and dozens of movie credits to his name. But his first role was in the 1986 Goldie Hawn comedy “Wildcats.”

The movie isn’t great, but it’s interesting to note because not only was Harrelson in it, but it also featured Wesley Snipes and Mykelti Williamson, who you may better know as Bubba from “Forrest Gump.”

Sally Hawkins: “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace

Nominated this year for Best Actress in "The Shape of Water"

Sally Hawkins has received her second Academy Award nomination this year for her performance in Best Picture nominee “The Shape of Water.”

Hawkins is a familiar face these days with roles in movies such as “Paddington” and “Blue Jasmine.” But before she was an Oscar nominated actress she was an extra in “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace.”

As an extra you’d never know Hawkins was even in the film as she was just another face in the crowd. In 2015 she revealed in an interview with Conan O’Brien that she’s never even seen the movie.

Sam RockwellGalaxy Quest

Nominated this year for Best Supporting Actor in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"

Sam Rockwell is one of my favorite working actors and in my opinion he should win this year's Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Rockwell has done a variety of roles, from playing a crazy murderer in “The Green Mile,” to a lovable slacker in “The Way, Way Back." But do you remember him as Guy Fleegman in “Galaxy Quest”?

“Galaxy Quest” is almost a cult favorite at this point and Rockwell steals the show. My guess is you remember Rockwell's character and how hilarious he is, but I’m not sure you remember that it was the Oscar-nominated actor making you laugh out loud.

What other obscure roles do you remember from Oscar nominees? Let us know in the comments.


![John Clyde](http://img.ksl.com/slc/2608/260868/26086842\.jpg?filter=ksl/65x65)
About the Author: John Clyde ----------------------------

John has grown up around movies and annoys friends and family with his movie facts and knowledge. He also has a passion for sports and pretty much anything awesome, and it just so happens, that these are the three things he writes about. Contact him on Twitter at @johnnypclyde.

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John has grown up around movies and annoys friends and family with his movie facts and knowledge. He also has a passion for sports and pretty much anything awesome, and it just so happens, that these are the three things he writes about.

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