Best Supporting Actress in the 80s: An Alternative Oscar History
Friday, November 15, 2024 at 10:00AM 
Out of Oscar's Best Supporting Actress winners from the 80s, Anjelica Huston is the only one who repeats the feat in my ballot. But not for PRIZZI'S HONOR!
Since the Best Actress post did so well, let's tackle another category in my Alternate Oscar history. We're still keeping with the thespians and the divas, because those are always the most beloved races here at The Film Experience. Once again, I followed Oscar eligibility rules when building these ballots, but also included honorable mentions, ineligible standouts, and some enticing prospects for some future movie-watching adventures. Any and all recommendations are welcome, of course, and you're welcome to tear these lineups to shreds – as if you needed an invitation. From 1980 to 1989, from actresses playing actresses to screen sirens for the videotape age, here are my Best Supporting Actress picks for our "Totally Awesome 80s" month…
1980
Eva La Gallienne, RESURRECTION
Barbara Hershey, THE STUNT MAN *winner*
Wendy Hughes, MY BRILLIANT CAREER
Anne Meara, FAME
Mary Steenburgen, MELVIN AND HOWARD
Honorable Mentions: Anne Bancroft in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Eileen Brennan in PRIVATE BENJAMIN, Carrie Fisher in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Betsy Palmer in FRIDAY THE 13TH, Charlotte Rampling in STARDUST MEMORIES.
Ineligible: Melinda Dillon and Sylvia Sidney in THE SHADOW BOX, Shirley Knight in PLAYING FOR TIME.
On the Watchlist: Mitsuko Baisho and Mayumi Ogawa in VENGEANCE IS MINE, Amy Wright in WISE BLOOD, the cast of HEALTH.
1981
Joan Hackett, ONLY WHEN I LAUGH
Jessica Harper, PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
Maggie Smith, QUARTET *winner*
Maureen Stapleton, REDS
Tuesday Weld, THIEF
Honorable Mentions: Karen Allen in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, Helen Mirren in EXCALIBUR, Kate Reid in ATLANTIC CITY.
Ineligible: Krystyna Janda in MEPHISTO, Harriett Walter in THE CHERRY ORCHARD.
On the Watchlist: Lisa Eichhorn in CUTTER'S WAY, Marília Pêra in PIXOTE.
1982
Karen Black, COME BACK TO THE 5 & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN
Teri Garr, TOOTSIE
Dana Hill, SHOOT THE MOON
Charlotte Rampling, THE VERDICT
Lesley Ann Warren, VICTOR/VICTORIA *winner*
Honorable Mentions: Julie Hagerty in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY, Rohini Hattangadi in GANDHI, Helen Mirren in THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, Maggie Smith in EVIL UNDER THE SUN and THE MISSION, Kim Stanley in FRANCES
Ineligible: Gigi Dueñas and Ama Quiambao in HIMALA, Marta Fernández Muro in LABYRINTH OF PASSION
On the Watchlist: Ellen Barkin in DINER, Carol Burnett in ANNIE.
1983
Eileen Atkins, THE DRESSER
Sandra Bernhard, THE KING OF COMEDY
Cher, SILKWOOD *winner*
Dana Hill, CROSS CREEK
Gunn Wållgren, FANNY AND ALEXANDER
Honorable Mentions: Harriet Andersson and Stina Ekblad in FANNY AND ALEXANDER, Debbie Harry in VIDEODROME, Jeanne Moreau in QUERELLE, Michelle Pfeiffer in SCARFACE.
Ineligible: Marion Bailey and Pam Ferris in MEANTIME, Renée Soutendijk in THE 4TH MAN.
On the Watchlist: Joanna Pacula in GORKY PARK, Joan Plowright in BRITANNIA HOSPITAL, Angela Winkler in DANTON.
1984
Peggy Ashcroft, A PASSAGE TO INDIA
Nastassja Kinski, PARIS, TEXAS *winner*
Christine Lathi, SWING SHIFT
Elizabeth McGovern, ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA
Ingrid Thulin, AFTER THE REHEARSAL
Honorable Mentions: Aurore Clément in PARIS, TEXAS, Linda Hunt in THE BOSTONIANS, Siân Phillips in DUNE.
Ineligible: Anouk Aimée and Joanna Szczerbic in SUCCESS IS THE BEST REVENGE, Shelley Duvall in FRANKENWEENIE.
On the Watchlist: Sabine Azéma in A SUNDAY IN THE COUNTRY, Drew Barrymore in IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES, Jacqueline Bisset in UNDER THE VOLCANO, Lesley Ann Warren in SONGWRITER.
1985
Sônia Braga, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
Mieko Harada, RAN *winner*
Madeline Kahn, CLUE
Frances McDormand, BLOOD SIMPLE
Oprah Winfrey, THE COLOR PURPLE
Honorable Mentions: Rosanna Arquette in AFTER HOURS, Eileen Brennan and Lesley Ann Warren in CLUE, Anjelica Huston in PRIZZI'S HONOR, Helen Mirren in WHITE NIGHTS, Chunchuna Villafañe in THE OFFICIAL STORY.
Ineligible: Frances Barber in A ZED & TWO NOUGHTS, Ru-Yun Tang in A TIME TO LIVE AND A TIME TO DIE.
On the Watchlist: Julie Hagerty in LOST IN AMERICA, Amy Madigan in TWICE IN A LIFETIME, Laurie Metcalf in DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN.
1986
Joan Allen, MANHUNTER
Laura Dern, BLUE VELVET
Chus Lampreave, WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?
Isabella Rossellini, BLUE VELVET
Maggie Smith, A ROOM WITH A VIEW *winner*
Honorable Mentions: Judi Dench in A ROOM WITH A VIEW, Kathy Kinney in PARTING GLANCES, Audra Lindley in DESERT HEARTS, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in THE COLOR OF MONEY, Tilda Swinton in CARAVAGGIO, Cathy Tyson in MONA LISA.
Ineligible: Kris McQuade in TWO FRIENDS.
On the Watchlist: Ellen Barkin in DOWN BY LAW, Julie Christie and Beatrice Straight in POWER, Louise Portal and Geneviève Rioux in THE DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE.
1987
Karen Allen, THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Kathy Baker, STREET SMART
Helena Carroll, THE DEAD
Anjelica Huston, THE DEAD *winner*
Silvana Mangano, DARK EYES
Honorable Mentions: Veronica Cartwright in THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, Joan Chen in THE LAST EMPEROR, Judi Dench in 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, Carmen Maura in LAW OF DESIRE, Elizabeth McGovern in THE BEDROOM WINDOW, Martha Plimpton in SHY PEOPLE, Elaine Stritch in SEPTEMBER.
Ineligible: Mitsuko Baisho in ZEGEN, Birgitte Federspiel in BABETTE'S FEAST.
On the Watchlist: Paul Baillargeon and Ann-Marie MacDonald in I'VE HEAR THE MERMAIDS SINGING, Emmanuelle Béart in MANON OF THE SPRING, Mary Stuart Masterson in SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL.
1988
Geneviève Bujold, DEAD RINGERS
Sandy Dennis, ANOTHER WOMAN
Barbara Hershey, THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST
Lena Olin, THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING *winner*
Julieta Serrano, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
Honorable Mentions: Catherine O'Hara in BEETLEJUICE, Elizabeth Perkins in BIG, Mercedes Ruehl in MARRIED TO THE MOB.
Ineligible: Brigitte Fossey in CINEMA PARADISO.
On the Watchlist: Kathy Baker in CLEAN AND SOBER, Anne Bancroft in TORCH SONG TRILOGY, Sônia Braga in MOON OVER PARADOR, Anita Kanwar in SALAAM BOMBAY!, Sylvia Miles in CROSSING DELANCEY, Helen Mirren in PASCALI'S ISLAND.
1989
Edna Doré, HIGH HOPES
Brenda Fricker, MY LEFT FOOT
Laura San Giacomo, SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE *winner*
Lena Olin, ENEMIES, A LOVE STORY
Dianne Wiest, PARENTHOOD
Honorable Mentions: Fairuza Balk in VALMONT, Pat Carroll in THE LITTLE MERMAID, Ruby Dee in DO THE RIGHT THING, Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Carrie Fisher in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY…, Anjelica Huston in CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.
Ineligible: Jane Seymour in THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, Ruma Guha Thakurta in AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.
On the Watchlist: Carrie Fisher in THE 'BURBS, Bridget Fonda in SCANDAL, Teri Garr and Jennifer Tilly in LET IT RIDE, Kelly Lynch in DRUGSTORE COWBOY, Della Reese in HARLEM NIGHTS.
What would your ballots look like? What other movies should I add to the watchlist?
Reader Comments (9)
I really love Lena Olin in both of her mentions. She's a great actress and always delivers in supporting roles, but especially at the start of her career in American films. Given how much love they got from Oscar, I was always surprised that she was overlooked for her roles in Chocolat and the Reader.
Two nominees from this decade that I would include on my list: Glenn Close in The World According to Garp and Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl. I've seen Weaver called one note before, but when the note is as funny as she is, I'm totally fine with it. Her physical comedy throughout really sells it.
Mama, I found Natassja Kinski for Paris, Texas the exquisite choice par excellence.
Chus Lampreave is the winner of the year and Veroniqua Forquè is also nominated.
How did you dare to put Sofia in the ballot and let Shug out?????
I think to get the full measure of Sigourney Weaver as an actress you practically have to love her performance in Working Girl. Comedy is such an important aspect of her star persona and she's never been funnier (or more fully realized in a comedy of such high quality) as WG, one would be pressed to say she's "better" in Heartbreakers or Galaxy Quest or Ghostbusters or Baby Mama...
So many great performances and love the affection towards genre films, but I'd flag a handful for Category Fraud. Karen Allen (Raiders), McDormand (Blood Simple), Rossellini (Blue Velvet) are leads imo.
Joe G. -- I like don't love Weaver in WORKING GIRL. But you're right to point out her physical comedy, which, to me, is the performance's best asset. Once she gets that cast, every gesture is a masterclass in finding funny business in something so simple as turning, lying in bed, etc.
Gallavich -- I've always preferred Winfrey to Avery in THE COLOR PURPLE, sorry. I should probably re-watch WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?. I wager Forquè might jump into my Honorable Mentions once I do.
DK -- I think I'm a pretty big Weaver fan without necessarily loving her WORKING GIRL turn. Indeed, I'd say she does a more interesting version of this amoral executive within a comedic register type in THE TV SET. Though I would agree the Kasdan film pales in comparison to WORKING GIRL beyond Weaver.
Jordan DF -- I disagree on Allen, but have often debated the matter of McDormand and Rossellini. Perhaps you're right.
Claudio you really are spoiling us here,love some of your choices,offbeat but such good roles and actresses,my winners come first.
Here are mine
1980
Eva La Galliene Resurrection
Debra Winger Urban Cowboy
Blythe Danner The Great Santini
Amy Wright Inside Moves
Charlotte Rampling Stardust Memories
6th spot Cathy Moriarty Raging Bull
1981
Joan Hackett Only When I Laugh
Maureen Stapleton Reds
Jane Fonda On Golden Pond
Jessica Harper Pennies From Heaven
Lisa Eichorn Cutter's Way
6th spot Karen Allen Raiders Of The Lost Ark
1982
Kim Stanley Frances
Jessica Lange Tootsie
Lesley Ann Warren Victor/Victoria
Glenn Close The World Accoring To Garp
Claire Trevor Kiss Me Goodbye
6th spot Sean Young Blade Runner
1983
Linda Hunt The Year Of Living Dangerously
Kelly McGillis Reuben Reuben
Michelle Pfeiffer Scarface
Eileen Atkins The Dresser
Cher Silkwood
6th spot Glenn Close The Big Chill
1984
Peggy Ashcroft A Passage To India
Christine Lahti Swing Shift
Geraldine Page The Pope Of Greenwich Village
Tuesday Weld Once Upon A Time In America
Elizabeth Berridge Amadeus
6th spot Amy Madigan Places In The Heart
1985
Margaret Avery The Color Purple
Oprah Winfrey the Color Purple
Meiko Harada Ran
Anjelica Huston Prizzi's Honor
Meg Tilly Agnes Of God
6th spot Eileen Brennan Clue
1986
Dianne WIest Hannah And Her Sisters
Carrie Henn Aliens
Barbara Hershey Hannah And Her Sisters
Cathy Tyson Mona Lisa
Maggie Smith A Room With A View
6th spot Tess Harper Crimes Of The Heart
1987
Anne Ramsey Throw Momma From the Train
Veronica Cartwright The Witches Of Eastwick
Norma Aleandro Gaby A True Story
Vanessa Redgrave Prick Up Your Ears
Anjelica Huston The Dead
6th spot Anne Archer Fatal Attraction
1988
Sigourney Weaver Working Girl My favourite supporting performance of the 80's
Genevieve Bujold Dead Ringers
Diane Venora Bird
Sandy Dennis Another Woman
Michelle Pfeiffer Dangerous Liasons
6th spot Martha Plimpton Running On Empty
1989
Shirley MacLaine Steel Magnolias
Lena Olin Enemies A Love Story
Laura San Giacomo Sex Lies And Videotape
Julia Roberts Steel Magnolias
Brenda Fricker My Left Foot
6th spot Dianne Wiest Parenthood
Weaver is just as good in The TV Set just different,more ballsy if that's possible than Katherine Parker,she even makes those Warhol portraits a punch line,the pose and look,she's giving face for the ages.
I think Allen is supporting to Indy,it's Harrison's film through and through but she's a pivotal part of it.
I like the nod to Amy Wright but I have her in for Inside Moves,she'd marvellous in that,I also loved her scene in The Amityville Horror,right up there with Veronica Cartwright for catatonic terror.
Huston the Dead is imo her best role.
Love the Sandy Dennis mention.
You're in for a treat with Eichorn in Cutter's Way
I prefer Avery also to Winfrey.
Some lovely work overlooked by Oscar and TFE
1981 Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez in Diva
1987 Carroll Baker in Ironweed
1988 Reizl Boyzk in Crossing Delancy
The women of Stardust Memories (Charlotte Rampling, Jessica Harper, Marie-Christine Barrault, Amy Wright).
And Allen, McDormand and Rossellini are all supporting.