Winning an Oscar is often a challenging feat, but starring in a Martin Scorsese film has frequently led actors to Academy Award success. Over the years, Scorsese’s direction has played a key role in many memorable performances that earned actors Oscar recognition.
Actors such as Robert De Niro in Raging Bull, Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, Cate Blanchett in The Aviator, and Paul Newman in The Color of Money each won Oscars for roles crafted under Scorsese’s expert direction. In addition to these winners, several actors garnered Oscar nominations for parts in his films, including Daniel Day-Lewis for Gangs of New York, Juliette Lewis in Cape Fear, Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, and Winona Ryder in The Age of Innocence. Scorsese’s ability to elevate performers is so renowned that even Mark Wahlberg earned an Oscar nomination through his work with the director.
Recognized as one of the finest directors for actors in Hollywood, Scorsese has guided nearly 30 performances that reached Oscar consideration. However, his rise to iconic status was gradual, and early in his career there were established stars who hesitated to collaborate with him. This hesitation happened before Scorsese became the household name linked to acclaimed Oscar roles.
In the early 1970s, Scorsese was just gaining recognition after the release of Mean Streets. Prior to that, his second feature was Boxcar Bertha, a low-budget film produced by Roger Corman. At that time, Shirley MacLaine was a celebrated actress with three Academy Award nominations, two BAFTAs, four Golden Globes, and key roles in well-known films such as The Apartment and Ocean’s 11. When Scorsese approached MacLaine to star in his fourth film, she declined—a decision she later deeply regretted.
I regret turning down the lead role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, which Ellen Burstyn deservedly won an Oscar for,
Shirley MacLaine confessed to The New York Times when reflecting on her greatest professional error.
I said to myself, ‘Who is this Martin Scorsese person? Why should I see his little film about mean streets?’
At that juncture, Scorsese was slated to direct his first major studio production, but Burstyn, already an acclaimed actress, had approval over the director choice. Warner Bros. offered her a selection of scripts, and she chose Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. Francis Ford Coppola recommended a fresh and lesser-known director for the project, encouraging Burstyn to watch Mean Streets before committing to Scorsese.
Burstyn’s decision to work with Scorsese left MacLaine outside the project. Following Burstyn’s Oscar-winning performance, Scorsese’s career accelerated rapidly, bolstered by the success of both his film and the support of a major studio. This moment firmly established him as a significant filmmaker in Hollywood.
