14 Oscar-Winning Actors Who Portrayed Sex Workers

At the Oscars ceremony on Sunday, Mikey Madison received applause as she acknowledged and appreciated the sex worker community for their significant role in Anora during her acceptance speech for Best Actress.

She shared with the audience at the Dolby Theatre, “Each remarkable woman I’ve encountered from that community has made a significant impact on my journey. I look forward to standing alongside them in solidarity and offering my support in the future.

The film titled “Anora” almost swept every one of its six nominations, with a victory for Best Picture among them. It narrates the tale of Anora Mikheeva, a former sex worker and stripper who ties the knot with the son of a Russian oligarch, portrayed by Mark Eydelshteyn.

Despite the recent movie’s big night being praised as a groundbreaking moment for a historically sensitive topic, it’s worth noting that Hollywood and the Oscars have a lengthy history of acknowledging individuals from the sex worker community. This goes back to the very first ceremony in 1928, when Janet Gaynor won for her role in Street Angel, and even as far back as 1960, when both the supporting and lead acting categories were awarded to actresses who portrayed sex workers. These included Shirley Jones in Elmer Gantry and Elizabeth Taylor in BUtterfield 8.

In a different phrasing:
Anora isn’t the first film on sex work to win the Best Picture award; Midnight Cowboy, which tells the story of a bond between two hustlers, won the Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay in 1969, but didn’t garner any acting trophies.

Indeed, accurate representation is just one aspect of the challenge, as it’s crucial to consider how a film might be perceived by today’s real-life sex worker community. The team behind Anora, slated for release in 2024, has made an effort to ensure their portrayal is authentic. Former sex workers who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter acknowledged that the film got many things correct, although not every detail was spot on. Madison, during a roundtable discussion with THR, highlighted the demanding nature of the profession. She explained, “It’s not just physically taxing, but it’s mentally challenging as well because you have to instantly connect with someone. Physically, you’re standing all day in high heels, which requires a great deal of stamina.

Below, here are 14 actors who won Oscars for their portrayal of sex workers.

Janet Gaynor in ‘Street Angel’

In the year 1928, Janet Gaynor took on the role of Angela in the film “Street Angel.” This character resorts to prostitution as a means to pay for her ailing mother’s medical expenses. Notably, Gaynor was the first recipient of an Oscar for her acting in this movie. The awards ceremony, which distributed just 12 trophies, concluded within a mere 15 minutes.

Helen Hayes in ‘The Sin of Madelon Claudet’

In 1931, Helen Hayes took on the lead role as Madelon Claudet in the film titled “The Sin of Madelon Claudet“. This story portrayed a woman who resorted to prostitution and theft to provide for her child. Her exceptional performance earned her the Best Actress award at the 5th Academy Awards.

Anne Baxter in ‘The Razor’s Edge’

In 1946, Anne Baxter portrayed Sophie MacDonald in the film “The Razor’s Edge.” This movie centered around an American pilot who had been deeply affected by World War I and was now on a quest to discover the true purpose of existence. Sophie was a long-time friend of the main character. Over time, she became involved in prostitution and battled alcoholism following the tragic loss of her husband and child in a car accident. Baxter’s exceptional portrayal earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Clare Trevor in ‘Key Largo’

1948 saw Clare Trevor portray Gaye Dawn in the film noir crime drama “Key Largo,” which was based on a 1939 play of the same name. Gaye is depicted as an older, alcoholic prostitute who significantly influences the relationships among the main characters Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson. The movie marked the last time Bogart acted alongside his fellow film star, Lauren Bacall. Trevor’s captivating portrayal of Gaye Dawn earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Donna Reed in ‘From Here to Eternity’

1953 saw Donna Reed take on the role of Alma in the film “From Here to Eternity,” alongside Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, and Frank Sinatra, who played soldiers based in Hawaii prior to Pearl Harbor. The story is adapted from James Jones’ 1951 novel of the same name. In the book, Alma was depicted as a sex worker, but the movie version changed her occupation to that of a social club hostess, previously a sex worker, to align with the production code standards of the time. Reed’s captivating portrayal earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Additionally, the film also secured victories in several categories: Best Picture, Best Director (Fred Zinnemann), Best Supporting Actor (Frank Sinatra), Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Sound Recording.

Jo Van Fleet in ‘East of Eden’

Jo Van Fleet embodied the unforgettable character Cathy Ames in Elia Kazan’s 1955 film adaptation of John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden.” Initially, Cathy is depicted as a figure, but later it’s revealed that she’s actually Kate Trask. This character is one of Steinbeck’s creations, frequently likened to the devil and Pandora’s box. In the movie, she’s a reformed prostitute who wields her attractiveness as a weapon to ruin others. Van Fleet earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of this complex character.

Also won: best director (Elia Kazan), best actor (James Dean) and best screenplay

Susan Hayward in ‘I Want to Live!’

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that back in 1958, Susan Hayward breathed life into Barbara Graham in the film “I Want to Live!”. This motion picture offers a dramatized portrayal of Barbara Graham, a woman who led a questionable life as a sex worker and petty criminal. Convicted of murder following a robbery gone wrong with Jack Santo and Emmett Perkins that resulted in the death of an elderly lady, Graham and her associates were ultimately sentenced to death at San Quentin Prison in 1955. Hayward’s captivating performance earned her the Best Actress award, as the movie subtly suggested Graham’s innocence.

Shirley Jones in ‘Elmer Gantry’

Shirley Jones portrays Lulu Baines in the 1960’s film “Elmer Gantry,” which is somewhat inspired by the 1927 novel of the same title. As a result of her romantic involvement with Elmer Gantry, played by Burt Lancaster, Lulu ends up working as a prostitute and ruining her relationship with her father, who is a minister. The movie draws some inspiration from American radio evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson’s life. Jones was awarded best supporting actress for her outstanding performance in the film.

Also won: best actor (Burt Lancaster) and best adapted screenplay

Elizabeth Taylor in ‘BUtterfield 8’

In the swinging ’60s, I found myself stepping into the glamorous yet complex role of Gloria Wandrous in “Butterfield 8.” This captivating tale follows a high-class courtesan yearning to transform her life upon encountering her ideal man, Weston Ligget, portrayed by Laurence Harvey. The accolades poured in as I took home my very first Oscar – a well-deserved Best Actress award – for my mesmerizing portrayal on the silver screen.

Jane Fonda in ‘Klute’

In 1971’s “Klute,” Jane Fonda portrayed Bree Daniels, a character based in New York City who worked as a sex worker. During the movie, her character assists a detective from Pennsylvania in resolving a missing person case connected to the man harassing her. Her exceptional acting earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Also won: best screenplay

Mira Sorvino in ‘Mighty Aphrodite’

1995 saw Mira Sorvino portraying Linda Ash in the film “Mighty Aphrodite,” written, directed, and starring Woody Allen. It was revealed in the story that Linda, a former sex worker, was the biological mother of Lenny Weinrib’s (Allen), who had adopted his son. Sorvino’s exceptional performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Kim Basinger in ‘L.A. Confidential’

In 1997, Kim Basinger portrayed the character Lynn Bracken in the movie “L.A. Confidential,” which was based on James Ellroy’s 1990 novel of the same name. During the story, Bud White, a police officer played by Russell Crowe, comes across Bracken who is a prostitute. Basinger received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in this role.

Also won: best adapted screenplay

Charlize Theron in ‘Monster’

In the year 2003, Charlize Theron portrayed Aileen Wuornos, a character based on a real person who was a sex worker, in the film “Monster“. This movie depicted the true events surrounding Wuornos’ killing of seven male clients between 1989 and 1990. Tragically, Wuornos was executed in Florida before the release of the film in 2002. Theron’s exceptional portrayal earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Emma Stone in ‘Poor Things’

In 2023’s film “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray, Emma Stone portrayed Bella Baxter, a character who was initially a mute and uncoordinated adult. However, as the transplanted brain within her developed, she evolved into a self-aware individual. During the course of the story, Baxter encountered sexuality, and later in the narrative, she worked at a brothel, forming a friendship with another sex worker named Toinette. Stone’s outstanding performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Also won: best production design, best makeup, best costumes

Mikey Madison in ‘Anora’

In the 2024 film “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker, Mikey Madison portrayed the main character, a sex worker who wedded the son of a wealthy Russian businessman. Her outstanding acting in this role earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Also won: best picture, best director (Sean Baker), best original screenplay, best editing

2025-03-04 04:55