2013 Oscars: Get to know best actress nominees

Published 1:26 PM EST, Wed February 20, 2013
Best actress nominee Jessica Chastain's early work includes guest spots on TV series "ER" and "Veronica Mars." The actress, here at an April 2006 party, appeared in the TV movie "Blackbeard" that year.
Jessica Chastain, 2006 —
Best actress nominee Jessica Chastain's early work includes guest spots on TV series "ER" and "Veronica Mars." The actress, here at an April 2006 party, appeared in the TV movie "Blackbeard" that year.
Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images
Chastain, 35, received her first Academy Award nomination -- for best supporting actress -- for her role as Celia Foote in 2011's "The Help." Here, she attends the premiere in Beverly Hills in August 2011.
Jessica Chastain, 2011 —
Chastain, 35, received her first Academy Award nomination -- for best supporting actress -- for her role as Celia Foote in 2011's "The Help." Here, she attends the premiere in Beverly Hills in August 2011.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Her role as Maya in "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012) earned Chastain a best actress nod. She has since appeared in the horror flick "Mama," which hit theaters in January. Here she attends an academy luncheon for nominees in February.
Jessica Chastain, 2013 —
Her role as Maya in "Zero Dark Thirty" (2012) earned Chastain a best actress nod. She has since appeared in the horror flick "Mama," which hit theaters in January. Here she attends an academy luncheon for nominees in February.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Naomi Watts' early projects included 1993's "The Custodian" and 1995's "Tank Girl." She attracted attention for her role in David Lynch's "Mulholland Dr." in 2001 and became somewhat of a household name after the 2002 thriller "The Ring." The actress here attends film awards in Sydney, Australia, in 1999.
Naomi Watts, 1999 —
Naomi Watts' early projects included 1993's "The Custodian" and 1995's "Tank Girl." She attracted attention for her role in David Lynch's "Mulholland Dr." in 2001 and became somewhat of a household name after the 2002 thriller "The Ring." The actress here attends film awards in Sydney, Australia, in 1999.
Patrick Riviere/Getty Images
Watts, here at the 2004 premiere of "We Don't Live Here Anymore," went on to appear in films such as "I Heart Huckabees," "King Kong" and "J. Edgar."
Naomi Watts, 2004 —
Watts, here at the 2004 premiere of "We Don't Live Here Anymore," went on to appear in films such as "I Heart Huckabees," "King Kong" and "J. Edgar."
Carlo Allegri/Getty Images
"The Impossible" (2012) earned Watts, 44, her second best actress nomination. Her first Oscar nod came in 2004 for her role as Cristina Peck in "21 Grams."
Naomi Watts, 2013 —
"The Impossible" (2012) earned Watts, 44, her second best actress nomination. Her first Oscar nod came in 2004 for her role as Cristina Peck in "21 Grams."
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
While accepting her <a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/28/jennifer-lawrences-sweet-beginnings/" target="_blank">Screen Actors Guild Award</a> in January, Jennifer Lawrence said she earned her SAG card after doing a promo for MTV's "My Super Sweet 16" when she was 14. The actress, here at the 2008 Venice International Film Festival, has since starred in critically acclaimed independent films and mainstream hits alike.
Jennifer Lawrence, 2008 —
While accepting her Screen Actors Guild Award in January, Jennifer Lawrence said she earned her SAG card after doing a promo for MTV's "My Super Sweet 16" when she was 14. The actress, here at the 2008 Venice International Film Festival, has since starred in critically acclaimed independent films and mainstream hits alike.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images
The 22-year-old actress, here in New York in 2010, received an Oscar nod for her role in 2010's "Winter's Bone." She has since appeared in films such as "Like Crazy," "X-Men: First Class" and "The Hunger Games."
Jennifer Lawrence, 2010 —
The 22-year-old actress, here in New York in 2010, received an Oscar nod for her role in 2010's "Winter's Bone." She has since appeared in films such as "Like Crazy," "X-Men: First Class" and "The Hunger Games."
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Lawrence received her second Academy Award nomination for her role as Tiffany in "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012). She was also praised for the 2012 thriller "House at the End of the Street."
Jennifer Lawrence, 2013 —
Lawrence received her second Academy Award nomination for her role as Tiffany in "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012). She was also praised for the 2012 thriller "House at the End of the Street."
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
At 85, French actress Emmanuelle Riva is the oldest best actress nominee to date. She began her film career in the 1950s. Here she is on the set of 1962's "Therese Desqueyroux."
Emmanuelle Riva, 1962 —
At 85, French actress Emmanuelle Riva is the oldest best actress nominee to date. She began her film career in the 1950s. Here she is on the set of 1962's "Therese Desqueyroux."
AFP/Getty Images
Riva, pictured in Paris in 1982, has appeared in films such as 1959's "Hiroshima Mon Amour," 1961's "Léon Morin, Priest" and 1993's "Three Colors: Blue."
Emmanuelle Riva, 1982 —
Riva, pictured in Paris in 1982, has appeared in films such as 1959's "Hiroshima Mon Amour," 1961's "Léon Morin, Priest" and 1993's "Three Colors: Blue."
PHILIPPE WOJAZER/AFP/Getty Images
After more than 50 years in the business, the actress earned her first Academy Award nomination for her role in "Amour" (2012). Here she appears at a press conference in January.
Emmanuelle Riva, 2013 —
After more than 50 years in the business, the actress earned her first Academy Award nomination for her role in "Amour" (2012). Here she appears at a press conference in January.
JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP/Getty Images
Quvenzhane Wallis, here at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, shot to stardom with her role as Hushpuppy in Benh Zeitlin's "Beasts of the Southern Wild."
Quvenzhane Wallis, 2012 —
Quvenzhane Wallis, here at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, shot to stardom with her role as Hushpuppy in Benh Zeitlin's "Beasts of the Southern Wild."
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Wallis has since appeared in Frances Bodomo's short film "Boneshaker."
Quvenzhane Wallis, 2012 —
Wallis has since appeared in Frances Bodomo's short film "Boneshaker."
Valerie Macon/Getty Images
The actress, whose role in "Beasts of the Southern Wild" earned her a best actress nomination, will next appear in "Twelve Years a Slave." Wallis, 9, is the youngest best actress nominee to date.
Quvenzhane Wallis, 2013 —
The actress, whose role in "Beasts of the Southern Wild" earned her a best actress nomination, will next appear in "Twelve Years a Slave." Wallis, 9, is the youngest best actress nominee to date.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
2013 Oscars: Get to know best actress nominees