2015 nominees

Al Pacino was born in East Harlem, New York, to Sicilian-American parents. “In America most everybody who's Italian is half Italian.

Whether one considers her part to be a lead or supporting, there is no doubt that Rooney Mara's astonishing performance in Todd Haynes' highly acclaimed Carol is a major element in the film's success and overall emotional impact. Mara, who is only 30, has already teamed with the best directors working in Hollywood today, David Fincher, Steven Soderbergh, Spike Jonze and Terrence Malick.

Amy Schumer was born in Manhattan where up until she was age of 9, her family ran a very successful furniture company. Their business went bankrupt after her father, asecond cousin of U.

Catherine “Cate” Blanchett, 46, is one of the world’s most acclaimed actresses and one who continues to surprise and electrify at every turn, be it in film, on television or on stage. This exciting awards season sees Blanchett gracing nomination lists for her evocative performance as the titular character in Todd Haynes’ Carol, based on Patricia Highsmith's novel, The Price of Salt.

British actor Eddie Redmayne floored critics and audiences last year with his astonishing performance as ALS-stricken physicist extraordinaire Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Unsurprisingly, the role earned Redmayne Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG awards for Best Actor.

Carol, Todd Haynes’ highly acclaimed lesbian romance, set in the 1950s, is based on Patricia Highsmith's 1952 daring novel, The Price of Salt, adapted to the screen by Phyllis Nagy. His sixth and most fully realized feature, Carol co-stars two of the best actresses of their respective generations.

Raised in New Providence, New Jersey, Tom McCarthy is a graduate of Boston College and Yale School of Drama. A quintessentially independent director, McCarthy, who's 49, has also benefited from being an accomplished actor, in various genres, such as broad Hollywood comedies (Meet the Parents), and some serial TV (Boston Public, The Wire).

One of the most acclaimed filmmakers of his generation, three-time Golden Globe nominee Ridley Scott (Gladiator, American Gangster and now The Martian) has also earned three Academy Award nominations for Best Director (Thelma & Louise, Gladiator and Black Hawk Down). Scott’s most recent credits include Exodus: Gods and Kings starring Christian Bale, and Prometheus, starring Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron.

Between Independence Day and the Men in Black and Bad Boys franchises you would think Will Smith is a prototypical action/comedy blockbuster kind of an actor. But the five times Golden Globe nominee has time and again also proven himself in serious roles.

Given his low profile in Hollywood it may come as a surprise to some that many regard Mark Rylance the best actor of his generation. With a long career in theater, film and television, Rylance can range effortlessly from Shakespeare to Steven Spielberg.