Jamie Lee Curtis is a name that shines bright in Hollywood. She’s an actress, producer, and children’s book author who has been entertaining us for over 40 years. Known for her iconic roles in horror movies like Halloween and comedies like Freaky Friday, Curtis finally reached the top of her career when she won an Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023. This blog takes you through her amazing journey to that golden moment, focusing on her Oscar-winning movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, her long career, and why this win meant so much to her and her fans. Let’s dive into Jamie Lee Curtis’ Oscar movie journey!
Who Is Jamie Lee Curtis?
Before we talk about her Oscar win, let’s get to know Jamie Lee Curtis a little better. Born on November 22, 1958, in Santa Monica, California, she comes from a famous Hollywood family. Her parents, Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, were both huge movie stars. Janet Leigh starred in Psycho, and Tony Curtis was in Some Like It Hot. Growing up with such talented parents gave Jamie a front-row seat to the world of acting.
Curtis started her career in 1978 with the horror movie Halloween. She played Laurie Strode, a teenage girl fighting off the scary Michael Myers. This role made her a “scream queen”—a nickname for actresses who star in horror films. Over the years, she became a fan favorite, starring in movies like Trading Places, A Fish Called Wanda, True Lies, and Knives Out. But even with all this success, she had never won an Oscar—until 2023.
The Road to the Oscars: A Long Wait
Jamie Lee Curtis worked in Hollywood for over four decades before she got her first Oscar nomination. That’s a long time! Many people thought she deserved recognition sooner because of her amazing talent. Her parents had both been nominated for Oscars—Janet Leigh for Psycho in 1960 and Tony Curtis for The Defiant Ones in 1958—but neither of them won. Jamie wanted to take it one step further and bring home the gold for her family.
Before 2023, Curtis had won other awards, like two Golden Globes and a BAFTA, but the Oscar—the biggest prize in movies—stayed out of reach. Fans and critics often wondered why she hadn’t been nominated yet. She had played so many different roles, from funny to serious to scary. But sometimes, the Academy Awards overlook actors who work in “genre” movies like horror or comedy. Curtis didn’t let that stop her—she kept working hard and taking on new challenges.
The Movie That Changed Everything: Everything Everywhere All at Once
In 2022, a movie came along that would change Jamie Lee Curtis’ career forever: Everything Everywhere All at Once. This film, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (known as “the Daniels”), is a wild mix of science fiction, comedy, action, and family drama. It tells the story of Evelyn Wang (played by Michelle Yeoh), a Chinese-American woman who runs a laundromat and discovers she has to save the multiverse—a bunch of different universes!
Curtis plays Deirdre Beaubeirdre, an IRS (tax office) worker who seems grumpy and boring at first. But as the movie jumps between universes, Deirdre turns into all kinds of crazy characters—like a fighter with hot dog fingers! Curtis loved the role because it let her be funny, weird, and emotional all at once. She said in interviews that working with Michelle Yeoh and the rest of the cast was a dream come true.
The movie came out in March 2022 at the South by Southwest Film Festival and quickly became a hit. People loved its wild story, amazing acting, and big heart. Critics praised Curtis for her performance, saying she brought something special to Deirdre. Soon, awards started piling up, and everyone began talking about Oscars.
The 2023 Awards Season: Jamie’s Big Moment
The 2023 awards season was huge for Everything Everywhere All at Once. The movie got tons of nominations, and Jamie Lee Curtis was right in the middle of it. She started winning awards left and right, like the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Best Supporting Actress. This was a big sign that she might win an Oscar, too.
When the Academy Award nominations were announced on January 24, 2023, Curtis finally heard her name called. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress—her very first Oscar nod! She was up against some tough competition: Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Hong Chau (The Whale), and her co-star Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once). Fans were thrilled, but no one knew who would win.
On March 12, 2023, the 95th Academy Awards happened at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The night was full of excitement, and Everything Everywhere All at Once was a favorite, with 11 nominations. When it was time to announce Best Supporting Actress, everyone held their breath. Then, the presenter said, “Jamie Lee Curtis”—and the crowd went wild!
Jamie’s Emotional Oscar Win
Jamie Lee Curtis ran up to the stage, screaming with joy. She was so excited that she could barely talk at first. Holding her Oscar, she gave a speech that made everyone smile and cry. “I know it looks like I’m standing up here by myself, but I am not,” she said. “I am hundreds of people.” She thanked the cast and crew of the movie, her family, and all the fans who had supported her “genre movies” over the years—like Halloween and Freaky Friday.
Then she got emotional. “My mother and my father were both nominated for Oscars in different categories,” she said, tears in her eyes. “I just won an Oscar!” It was a beautiful moment. She had gone further than her famous parents and made her own mark on Hollywood history.
Backstage, reporters asked her about her parents. Curtis said she didn’t think they were “looking down” on her because she doesn’t believe in that. Instead, she said, “I am a product of them. I know they would be incredibly proud of me.” At 64 years old, she became one of the oldest winners in the Best Supporting Actress category—a record that shows it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
Why This Win Mattered So Much
Jamie Lee Curtis’ Oscar win wasn’t just about one movie—it was about her whole career. For years, she had been a Hollywood legend, but some people called her a “nepo baby” (short for nepotism baby) because of her famous parents. Curtis didn’t shy away from that label. She even joked about it at the SAG Awards, saying, “I know you look at me and think ‘nepo baby,’ and I totally get it.” But she also proved that her talent was real, not just a gift from her family.
Winning for Everything Everywhere All at Once showed that Curtis could do anything. She wasn’t just a scream queen or a comedy star—she could shine in a weird, wonderful movie that mixed everything together. Fans of her horror movies felt like they won, too. “To all the people who have supported the genre movies I’ve made for these years,” she said in her speech, “we just won an Oscar together!”
The win also meant a lot because Everything Everywhere All at Once was a movie about family, immigrants, and chasing dreams—things Curtis connected to personally. Her grandparents were immigrants from Hungary and Denmark, and she thought of them while working on the film.
What Happened After the Oscar?
After winning her Oscar, Jamie Lee Curtis’ career got even bigger. She told Variety in 2024 that the win “changed my career in incalculable ways.” Suddenly, big directors like James L. Brooks (who made Terms of Endearment) wanted to work with her. She started filming a movie called Ella McCay with stars like Emma Mackey and Woody Harrelson. She also played a memorable role as Donna in the TV show The Bear, earning praise from fans and critics.
At the 2024 Oscars, Curtis came back as a presenter—a tradition for past winners. She didn’t stay long, though. She posted on Instagram about flying in, presenting, grabbing a burger at In-N-Out, and flying out. “Mommy goes to bed early,” she joked. Even with an Oscar, she’s still down-to-earth!
In 2025, people are already talking about her again for the Oscars. Her role as Annett in The Last Showgirl—a movie about a Las Vegas performer facing the end of her career—has critics saying it might be even better than her work in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Could she win another Oscar? Time will tell!
Jamie Lee Curtis’ Legacy
Jamie Lee Curtis’ Oscar movie journey is a story of hard work, talent, and never giving up. From her first scream in Halloween to her tearful Oscar speech, she’s shown that she’s more than just a famous name. She’s an actress who can make us laugh, cry, and cheer—all while staying true to herself.
Her win in 2023 was a victory for her, her family, and her fans. It proved that great acting can come from anywhere—even a movie about hot dog fingers! Curtis is still going strong, taking on new roles and inspiring people everywhere. Her Oscar journey reminds us that dreams can come true, no matter how long it takes.
Conclusion
Jamie Lee Curtis’ Oscar win for Everything Everywhere All at Once was a moment Hollywood won’t forget. It was the perfect reward for a career full of amazing movies and unforgettable characters. Whether you know her as Laurie Strode, Deirdre Beaubeirdre, or just Jamie, one thing is clear: she’s a star who deserves every bit of her success.
What’s your favorite Jamie Lee Curtis movie? Do you think she’ll win another Oscar someday? Let us know in the comments! And if you loved this deep dive into her Oscar journey, share it with your friends and keep following her incredible career.
