Da’Vine Joy Randolph, born in Philadelphia in 1986, rose to prominence across the season’s awards circuit and captured top honors at the Oscars in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10. She won Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Mary Lamb in The Rest, a category in which she was also nominated alongside renowned talents such as Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple), Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer), America Ferrera (Barbie), and Jodie Foster (Nyad). While the moment felt sudden to many, Randolph had spent years building a serious career in the demanding world of acting.
“I never imagined this would be my career; I started with singing, and my mother urged me to explore theatre across the street. I’m grateful to my mother and everyone who supported me along the way,” she said after receiving the award. She also shared, “Now I understand that I have to be myself. Thank you for seeing me as I am,” noting she was the only Black woman in her early acting classes.
She did not set out to be an actor. Initially, she studied to become a translator while pursuing opera singing. An early setback kept her from entering Yale University’s Conservatory, yet that moment ignited a deeper passion. Randolph moved to New York to pursue the dream, and her first major stage role came as Ode Mae Brown in the Broadway production of Ghost: The Musical (2012), an assignment that earned her a Tony nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.
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The artist later appeared in popular television series and films, including Selfie, This Is Us, and The Angriest Man in Brooklyn. International recognition arrived with the Netflix film I Am Dolemite, featuring Eddie Murphy. The performance opened doors to major projects such as Billie Holiday, The Lost City, and the Selena Gomez–led Disney+ series Only Murders in the Building. The Rest, which had already earned Randolph Golden Globes, BAFTAs, SAG recognition, and Critics’ Choice Awards, went on to receive an Oscar nomination. Director Alexander Payne later explained that he valued a blend of dramatic depth and comedic timing, noting that Randolph’s work in I Am Dolemite demonstrated the balance he sought for the Mary role. In person casting confirmed his impression, and a mutual admiration grew during their meeting. (Citation: Academy archives)
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Despite the recent waves of attention, Randolph has emphasized that awards are not the sole aim. After her BAFTA win, she described filmmaking as a form of activism that extends beyond the screen. She reflected that seeing her work represented on screen carries a broader significance, a sense of purpose that many viewers recognize as a kind of victory in itself. She expressed gratitude for the growing audience and the validation that comes with wider recognition. (Citation: Academy press materials)
Those Left Behind secured five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Paul Giamatti, Best Supporting Actress for Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing, set for the upcoming awards cycle.