Did Rosie Perez Win An Oscar? The Shocking Truth Behind Her Only Academy Award Nomination

Despite what many fans believe, the iconic actress, dancer, and activist Rosie Perez has not won an Academy Award. As of today, December 12, 2025, she holds a single, career-defining Oscar nomination, which she received in 1994 for her emotionally raw performance in the film Fearless.

This nomination cemented her status as a serious dramatic actress, moving beyond her breakout roles as a dancer and comedian. However, the story of her experience with the Academy Awards is far more complex and, according to Perez herself, involves a decades-long snub that continues to be a painful point in her illustrious career.

Rosie Perez: Complete Biography, Key Roles, and Major Accolades

Born Rosa Maria Pérez on September 6, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, Rosie Perez has carved out a unique and influential path in Hollywood. Her career is a testament to her versatility, spanning acting, choreography, and activism, often bringing her distinctive, high-energy New York personality to every project.

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• Full Name: Rosa Maria Pérez
• Date of Birth: September 6, 1964
• Birthplace: Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Profession: Actress, Dancer, Choreographer, Activist, Director, Producer
• Breakthrough: She was famously discovered by director Spike Lee at a dance club and cast in his 1989 film Do the Right Thing as the character Tina.
• Choreography Career: Perez gained widespread fame as the choreographer for the iconic television sketch comedy show In Living Color (1990–1994), for which she earned three Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
• Key Film Roles (Entities): Do the Right Thing (1989), White Men Can't Jump (1992), Fearless (1993), It Could Happen to You (1994), Pineapple Express (2008), and Birds of Prey (2020).
• Key Television Roles (Entities): The Flight Attendant (2020–2022), Lipstick Jungle (2008-2009), and Search Party.
• Documentary Work: She directed the powerful documentary Yo Soy Boricua, Pa' Que Tú Lo Sepas! (2006), celebrating Puerto Rican culture.
• Recent Projects (2024/2025): Perez continues to take on diverse roles, including her work in the critically acclaimed series The Flight Attendant, which earned her another Primetime Emmy nomination in 2021. She has also appeared in recent films like Before (2024).

The 1994 Academy Award Nomination for 'Fearless'

Rosie Perez’s performance in the 1993 psychological drama Fearless stands as the pinnacle of her critical recognition in film. Directed by Peter Weir, the movie follows a man (Jeff Bridges) who survives a plane crash and experiences a profound change in his life.

The Role That Earned the Nod

Perez played Carla Rodrigo, a survivor of the same crash who is consumed by grief and survivor's guilt over the death of her son. Her portrayal was hailed by critics as "heart-wrenching" and "visceral," showcasing a depth of emotional range previously unseen in her career.

For this role, Rosie Perez was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 66th Academy Awards ceremony (held in 1994). This nomination placed her alongside some of Hollywood's most respected talent.

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Who Won the Oscar That Year?

Despite the strong critical acclaim, Rosie Perez did not take home the statuette. The winner of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar at the 1994 ceremony was the then-11-year-old Anna Paquin for her debut role in The Piano.

The full list of nominees in the Best Supporting Actress category that year were:

• Winona Ryder for The Age of Innocence
• Holly Hunter for The Firm
• Emma Thompson for In the Name of the Father
• Anna Paquin for The Piano (Winner)
• Rosie Perez for Fearless (Nominee)

In addition to the Oscar nomination, Perez also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Fearless, further confirming the performance's impact.

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The Shocking Oscars Snub: Why Rosie Perez Hasn't Been Back

Perhaps the most compelling and controversial part of Rosie Perez's Academy Awards story is what happened after her nomination. She has publicly revealed that she has never been invited back to the Oscars ceremony since that night in 1994.

A Decades-Long Silence from the Academy

In various interviews over the years, Perez has voiced her confusion and hurt over the lack of an invitation, whether as a guest, presenter, or even an audience member. She was only invited to the 1994 ceremony because she was a nominee.

Perez, who is of Puerto Rican descent and a prominent voice for Latinx representation in Hollywood, has speculated that her outspoken nature or her background may have played a role in the snub, though she has never been given a clear explanation.

The actress has described the feeling as a painful rejection from her own industry. She once compared the experience to being excluded by a sports team she loves, stating, "I love the Academy Awards. I cheer on my peers, but it hurts. It's like when your home team doesn't ask you to come back into the stadium after you got... a home run."

Continued Success Despite the Oversight

Despite this decades-long oversight from the Academy, Perez’s career has continued to thrive, showcasing her topical authority across multiple mediums. Her more recent work on HBO Max’s dark comedy series The Flight Attendant earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2021.

This success, decades after her initial film nomination, proves that her talent and appeal to audiences and critics remain strong. While the question "Did Rosie Perez win an Oscar?" has a clear answer—no—the deeper story is about a resilient and influential career that has flourished regardless of a single golden statue. Her legacy is one of breaking barriers and delivering performances that are truly fearless.