W.C. Fields is said to have uttered the famous Hollywood adage, "Never work with children or animals.” I think Will Smith has every reason to disagree. His young son, Jaden Smith stole hearts in The Pursuit of Happyness, an inspiring success story. Certainly as I looked around the theatre, many movie-goers were in desparate need of a tissue. Particularly tissue worthy, the scene where father and son were forced to spend the night in a men’s room in the subway station.
And this year, now at the ripe age of eleven, Abigail Breslin is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Olive Hoover, the would be child beauty pageant winner in Little Miss Sunshine. Her dance lessons and conversations with co-nominee Alan Arkin displayed the ability to portray a tender innocence laced with comedic timing.
If Abigail wins, she will not be the youngest supporting actress to win an Oscar. That honor goes to Tatum O’Neal who was just 10 when she wowed the Academy with her performance in Paper Moon. Patty Duke was the third youngest, only sixteen when she garnered the award for The Miracle Worker. Then skip to adulthood and Anne Baxter’s win at 23 for Razor’s Edge. Next up, Teresa Wright at age 24 (birthday March 4th) for her performance in Mrs. Miniver. Just a few calendar days separate her and Goldie Hawn (birthday April 7th) who whisked away the statue for her role in Cactus Flower.
So here’s a pop quiz. Who is the second youngest actress to win a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award? And, which actress follows Goldie on the list by age?