12 Texas Bred Actors and Their Performances the Oscars Shouldn’t Have Snubbed

Killing Them Softly was was truly ahead of its time. The complex heist drama explores the realities of a post-financial-crash America through its impact on one crime syndicate. Although it’s a film stacked with great performances, Dallas native Scoot McNairy’s portrayal of a dim-witted robber caught in over his head has to be the most entertaining.

Yes, Uvalde-born Matthew McConaughey did end up taking home Best Actor one year later for his performance in the generic “awards bait” biopic Dallas Buyers Club. However, he’s even better as the titular demented bounty hunter Killer Joe in this intimate and hilarious NC-17 black comedy based on the Tracy Letts play of the same name.

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Dallas’ own Jesse Plemons.

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

While Dallas’ Jesse Plemons finally received his first Oscar nomination last year for The Power of the Dog (alongside his partner Kirsten Dunst), we’d argue that he deserved one a few years prior for his heartbreaking performance in sketch comedy writer Chris Kelly’s semi-autobiographical story of a struggling artist returning to his hometown to help his mother deal with a terminal diagnosis. Kelly’s film may not have gotten any Oscar love, but it received a warm reception upon its screening at the 2016 Dallas International Film Festival.

Woody Harrelson of Midland has three nominations to his name (The People vs. Larry Flynt, The Messenger, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), yet no wins. If any of his performances deserved to take home a trophy, it’s his role as Haillee Steinfeld’s frank, hilariously honest teacher; he’s the kind of mentor we all wish we had in high school.

This nearly 3-hour road trip across the landscape of America is one of the most acclaimed indie coming-of-age dramedies of the 21st century. While the BAFTA awards and certain critics groups were kinder, the Oscars left Andrea Arnold’s modern masterpiece out entirely, including Sasha Lane’s (Houston) beautiful performance.

It’s really rare that child performances break through, but Grapevine’s McKenna Grace holds her own against former Captain America Chris Evans in this heartwarming story of a single father caring for his intellectually gifted daughter. She manages to wade through some cheesy lines and give an utterly joyful, empathetic performance.

If there’s anything that hasn’t changed, it’s the Oscars’ refusal to consider deserving performances in horror films. Austin-born Dakota Johnson does far more work as a tormented Russian dancer in the remake of Suspiria than any “awards bait” biopic would ever require. Johnson’s incredible physical transformation amidst haunting horror sequences is one of many reasons that Suspiria works as the rare remake that tops the riginal.

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Jonathan Majors wasn’t born in Texas, but he got here as soon as he could.

Astrid Stawiarz

Born in California but reared in North Texas, Jonathan Majors has quite a few performances under his belt that are deserving of consideration, and we’re already starting a campaign to get his latest role as Dame Anderosn in Creed III some recognition next year. However, it’s his quiet performance in this intimate study of black ownership and artistry that put this rising star on the map.

Brendan Fraser could take home the Best Actor award this year for his performance as the 600-pound gay English professor Charlie in The Whale. While his co-star Hong Chau got a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role as his caretaker, we think the heartbreaking performance by Brenham’s Sadie Sink as Charlie’s estranged daughter is even more emotional.