Elite on Screen and at the Table: 7 Brilliant Oscar Nominees Who Play Poker
While movies centered entirely on poker rarely become Oscar darlings, the individuals who play the game often find themselves honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The world of poker has brushed shoulders with Oscar glory many times before, thanks to the many Oscar nominees who play poker.
Take the high-stakes docudrama Molly’s Game (2017), which earned a nod for Best Adapted Screenplay. Even more legendary is the classic train-car poker hustle pulled off by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in The Sting (1973), a masterpiece that walked away with seven Oscars, including the night’s top prize for Best Picture.
If you want to get creative, you could even point out that Leonardo DiCaprio’s journey in Titanic (1997) only began because he won his steerage ticket in a lucky hand of poker.
Strangely, the most iconic “pure” poker movies, such as Rounders (1998) and The Cincinnati Kid (1965), never caught the Academy’s eye. Even the film often cited by experts as the greatest gambling movie ever made, California Split (1974), was completely ignored by voters despite its revolutionary approach to sound design.
From the high-stakes felt to the glamour of the red carpet: Arden Cho – actress, singer, and savvy card player – is set to bring a poker-player’s flair to the 98th Annual Academy Awards this March. She will be attending to represent the global phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters, which secured two Oscar nominations for the March 15 ceremony.
Since Cho wasn’t personally nominated for her voice role, she doesn’t officially join this exclusive club, but we’ve put together what we believe is the definitive list of “money-bubble-bursting” poker players who have successfully navigated their way to an Academy Award nomination.
The 98th Academy Awards are coming this March, and there is a surprising link between Hollywood’s biggest night and the poker world. While poker movies don’t always win awards, many celebrity poker players have taken home Oscar gold. Here are 7 famous Oscar nominees who play poker; they are just as good at the poker table as they are on camera.
1. Jennifer Tilly
- Oscar Nominated For: Bullets Over Broadway
- Poker Status: The only person with an Oscar nod and a WSOP bracelet.
Jennifer Tilly is the ultimate “Queen of Poker” and one of the most well-known Oscar nominees who also plays poker. She didn’t just play in a movie; she actually won a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in 2005. With over $1 million in tournament winnings, she is among the most respected celebrity poker players.
2. James Woods
- Oscar Nominated For: Salvador and Ghosts of Mississippi
- Poker Status: A regular at the WSOP mixed games.
James Woods is a serious grinder. He has nearly $500,000 in career winnings and is often seen playing difficult “mixed games” in Las Vegas. He almost made a major final table this past summer and is still hunting for his first bracelet. - Interesting: James Woods’ character is a recurring guest on the animated series Family Guy.
3. Ben Affleck
- Oscar Nominated For: Good Will Hunting (Screenplay) and Argo (Best Picture)
- Poker Status: Won a major California state title.
Ben Affleck is a winner in both worlds. In 2004, he entered a $10,000 buy-in tournament at the Commerce Casino and beat 90 people to win $365,400. Among Oscar nominees who play poker, Affleck’s big-win highlights are some of the most impressive.
4. Matt Damon
- Oscar Nominated For: Good Will Hunting, The Martian, and more.
- Poker Status: The face of the cult classic movie Rounders.
Matt Damon helped make poker cool with his role as Mike McDermott. While he doesn’t have the same WSOP results as Tilly, he is often seen playing in the Main Event for charity. He even has a recorded “min-cash” from a 2011 tournament!
5. Telly Savalas
- Oscar Nominated For: Birdman of Alcatraz
- Poker Status: 21st place in the 1992 WSOP Main Event.
Famous for playing Kojak, Telly Savalas was a true gambler. He loved the psychology of the game. His 21st-place finish in the World Series of Poker Main Event is a legendary achievement for any actor.
6. Patrick Marber
- Oscar Nominated For: Notes on a Scandal (Screenplay)
- Poker Status: Writer of the famous poker play Dealer’s Choice.
Patrick Marber is a British writer who lives and breathes the game. He grew up playing in home games with other famous authors. Even though he doesn’t have public WSOP results, his deep knowledge of poker strategy is clear in his award-winning writing.
7. Randall Emmett
- Oscar Nominated For: The Irishman (Producer)
- Poker Status: High-stakes regular with over $785,000 in winnings.
Randall Emmett is a Hollywood producer who loves action. You can often see him playing on televised high-stakes games. He recently won a big tournament in Florida for over $140,000, proving he can hold his own against the pros.
Whether you’re an actor or not, it’s worth testing your skills in the world of poker. You can do that from the comfort of your home, just take a look at our online poker site reviews , and pick a favourite to register at.
Whether they are winning a gold statue or a stack of chips, these stars prove that poker and Hollywood go hand in hand. Enjoy the Oscars on 15 March, 2026!
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