Photos: Debut performances that got Oscar nominations, awards

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Lupita Nyong'o received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 2014 for her debut film performance in "12 Years A Slave."

Barkhad Abdi was a limo driver when he was cast in "Captain Phillips." He got a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination in 2014.

Benh Zeitlin and Quvenzhane Wallis were both nominated for Best Director and Best Supporting Actress Oscars respectively in 2013 for "Beasts of the Southern Wild."

Hailee Steinfeld was nominated for A Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2011 for her film debut in "True Grit." Before that, she acted in commercials.

Gabourey Sidibe was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in 2010 for her role in "Precious." She was a psychology student when she was picked for the role from an open casting call.

Jennifer Hudson picked up a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls." Hudson gained fame from her stint on the reality singing competition "American Idol."

Catalina Sandino Moreno was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in 2005 for her role in "Maria Full of Grace."

Keisha Castle-Hughes became one of the youngest-ever Best Actress nominees in 2004 for her role in "Whale Rider."

Sam Mendes won a Best Director Oscar in 1999 for his debut film, "American Beauty."

Emily Watson was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in 1997 for her film debut in "Breaking the Waves," a role that was meant to go to actress Helena Bonham Carter.

Edward Norton was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1997 for his debut film work in "Primal Fear," a role first offered to Leonardo DiCaprio.

Anna Paquin received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1994 for her debut role in "The Piano," making her the second youngest winner in Oscar history.

Kevin Costner won a Best Director Oscar in 1991 for his directorial debut, "Dances With Wolves." He lost out for a Best Actor Oscar the same year.

Marlee Matlin won Best Actress in 1986 for "Children of a Lesser God," her first film performance."

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1986 for her role in "The Color Purple."

John Malkovich was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1985 for "Places In The Heart." He had been active in Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre before he tried his hand in film.

Haing S. Ngor was a doctor before being cast in "The Killing Fields," a film about his native Cambodia, for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1984.

Glenn Close worked on Broadway before she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1983 for her role in "The World According to Garp."

James L. Brooks was primarily known for his television work before winning a Best Director Oscar in 1983 for his directorial debut, "Terms of Endearment."

Robert Redford has yet to win an Oscar for acting, but he did get a Best Director Oscar in 1981 for "Ordinary People."

Mikhail Baryshnikov was primarily known as a ballet dancer before being nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1978 for his role in "The Turning Point."

Lily Tomlin was known as a stand-up comedienne and TV actress before being nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1976 for "Nashville."

At 10, Tatum O'Neal is the youngest ever Oscar winner in 1974 for her debut role in "Paper Moon," which she starred in with father Ryan O'Neal.

Diana Ross was known as a singer in the group The Supremes before she was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in 1973 for her role in "Lady Sings The Blues."

She's a big star now, but Barbra Streisand was a relative unknown when she won a Best Actress Oscar in 1968 for her debut film role in "Funny Girl."

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Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the premiere for "12 Years a Slave" on day 2 of the Toronto International Film Festival at The Princess of Wales Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, in Toronto.

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