Once called 'popcorn actress,' Demi Moore is now a Best Actress frontrunner at the 2025 Oscars

Demi Moore made history with her first Oscar nomination at the age of 62, following four decades of dedication to her craft. She is now considered the frontrunner for Best Actress for her role in the horror drama The Substance. Her historic Golden Globes win has solidified her position, as she competes against talented actresses Mikey Madison (Anora), Fernanda Torres (I'm Still Here), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), and Karla Sofia Gascon (Emilia P¨¦rez).

In her Golden Globe acceptance speech, Demi Moore recalled a man who once dismissed her career as a 'popcorn actress.'. On the February 5 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, she reflected on how his words affected her. "What somebody else does or doesn't do is irrelevant. How you hold it is everything," she said, adding that she had internalized his words, believing she wouldn¡¯t be acknowledged in her career. When asked if the unnamed producer had heard her speech, Moore quipped, "He may have been rolling over in his grave."

Demi Moore's early career & setback

Moore, one of the most bankable stars in the '1990s, made her big-screen debut in Blame It on Rio (1984). However, her rise to fame wasn't without controversies. At 21, when she had just started dreaming big, the actress entered rehab for alcohol and cocaine addiction. But, like the redemption queen she is, she bounced back stronger than a 90s trend.

Following her battle with addiction, Moore decided to never look back. In the late ¡¯80s and early ¡¯90s, she delivered back-to-back hits, earning her A-lister status. From About Last Night to Disclosure, some of her most memorable roles.

About Last Night (1986)

This sizzling rom-com set tongues wagging, with Demi Moore's performance catching the attention of critics. Her undeniable chemistry with Rob Lowe played a significant role in establishing her as a leading lady in Hollywood.

Ghost (1990)

Demi's role as Molly Jensen in Ghost was a turning point in her career. What started as a supernatural romance turned into one of the most beloved films of the '90s. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

A Few Good Men (1992)

In A Few Good Men, Demi Moore went toe-to-toe with Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, delivering a standout performance as Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway.

Indecent Proposal (1993)

While the film was controversial, Demi¡¯s performance had everyone talking about her versatility and screen presence.

Disclosure (1996)

The actress stunned audiences by taking on the role of a corporate femme fatale in a gripping drama about sexual harassment. Her performance highlighted her range, as she effortlessly shifted between hero and villain.

Demi Moore's Triumphant Return to Hollywood

After taking a hiatus from Hollywood in the late 1990s to focus on raising her three daughters with then-husband Bruce Willis, Demi Moore made a dream comeback. Shedding her rom-com queen image, she took on more dramatic roles.

In the corporate thriller Margin Call (2011), Moore delivered an incredible performance alongside an all-star cast, including Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons.

Before her award-winning performance in The Substance, Demi made headlines with her role in The Empire in 2017, where she played the sinister Nurse Claudia.

Career-defining role in The Substance

Demi Moore made a stunning comeback to the big screen in 2024 with Coralie Fargeat's The Substance. In the horror drama, she stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, a former actress desperate to regain her youthful appearance through a mysterious drug.

The film is special for the actress in many ways, as it won her her first Golden Globe award after three nominations, which strengthened her position as a frontrunner for the Best Actress category at the Oscars.

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