One award show is certainly on everyone’s mind right now. The 94th Academy Awards, better known as The Oscars, took place last night (March 27) and was certainly one to remember.

That now-infamous moment between Will Smith and Chris Rock has us all talking about the antics of the prestigious event. Arguably the biggest event in the industry, the Oscars brings together the mot celebrated names in film.

Beginning all the way back in 1929, The Academy Awards celebrates the exceptional work that goes into filmmaking, with various awards up for grabs including, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Score, to name a few. What may come as a surprise however, is the fact that a number of stars who have both been nominated and won an Academy Award over the years have come from Kent.

Read more: Where to watch Coda – the movie that won the Best Picture Oscar last night

From more recent iconic names in Hollywood to legendary stars of the past, the Garden of England has served as home to some extraordinary talent over the years.

So, with Oscar Buzz well and truly in the air, here are the Oscar winners and nominees who have hailed from Kent.

Naomi Watts – 2004, 2013

Not just one Oscar nomination here but two, Naomi Watts has certainly made an impression during her time on the silver screen. Born in Shoreham in the Sevenoaks District of Kent on September 28 1968, the star has seen massive success playing roles in the likes of Peter Jackson’s King Kong in 2005 as well as David Lynch’s Mullholland Drive.

She has received two separate nominations for Best Actress at the Oscars, one for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s 21 Grams in 2004 and then for her amazing performance in 2013’s The Impossible which co-starred a very young Tom Holland, better known as Spider-Man. While she might not have taken either home, she has received many other accolades across her career including a Screen Actors Guild Award, also for The Impossible.

Victor McLaglen – 1935

An Oscar winner from a true legend of cinema, Victor McLaglen took home the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1935 thanks to his performance in John Ford’s drama thriller, The Informer. Though his birth certificate states he was born in Stepney in East London, Victor continuously claimed that he was in fact born in Tunbridge Wells and was one of ten siblings.

Known for his performances in Westerns, McLaglen would team up with John Ford and cinema icon John Wayne for seven productions.

Brenda Blethyn – 1997, 1999

Another two time nominated actress, Brenda Blehtyn has a more than impressive acting career under her belt, including roles in Pride and Prejudice (2005), Clubland and Saving Grace. The Ramsgate-born star had her big breakthrough in Mike Leigh’s hit 1996 drama Secrets & Lies which would earn her a nomination for Best Actress during the 1997 awards.

Just two years later she would receive her second nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actress in Little Voice. While she might not have secured the Oscars, Brenda has managed to take home a Golden Globe and a BAFTA.

Trevor Howard – 1961

Stepping back a little further in time once again, Trevor Howard received a nomination for Best Actor in 1961 thanks to his performance in Sons and Lovers. Born in Cliftonville, Margate in 1913, he would go on to some legendary performances in the likes of 1978’s Superman, Windwalker and The Third man.

Toward the end of his career, Howard appeared in some truly prestigious roles including The Deadly Game, The Missionary and 1982’s Gandhi. Throughout his film career, Trevor insisted that all of his contracts included a clause excusing him from work whenever a cricket Test Match was being played.

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Article Source: Kent Live