'Was not good for my career': Melissa Leo reflects on her Oscar win

“I didn’t dream of it, I never wanted it, and I had a much better career before I won," Leo said of her 2011 Oscar win

Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo is speaking candidly about the unexpected downside of winning Hollywood’s highest honor, revealing that her 2011 Academy Award did not help her career the way many assume it would.

In a recent interview, the 65-year-old actress said the experience ultimately limited her opportunities rather than expanding them.

Leo, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Fighter, admitted that the achievement came with consequences she never anticipated. “It has not been good for me or my career,” she said. “I didn’t dream of it, I never wanted it, and I had a much better career before I won.”

According to Leo, the period following her Oscar win was marked by heavy typecasting. She explained that the majority of roles she was offered afterward fell into a narrow category that no longer interested her creatively.

“My work chooses me,” Leo said, before clarifying, “I’m happy to play what I’m offered, apart from after The Fighter, when all I was offered was older, nasty women. I don’t want to do that anymore.”

The actress also reflected on the night she won the Oscar, recalling that meeting presenter Kirk Douglas was the most meaningful moment for her. She remembered the shock of hearing her name announced and the instant regret that followed. “I then cursed, and I’m still sorry I cursed,” Leo said.

“I f—-ing curse all the time, but you cannot curse on network television. Thank God for the 10-second delay, which was introduced for f—-ing idiots like me.”

Despite her complicated feelings about the award, Leo remains focused on moving forward rather than dwelling on past accolades.

She has expressed interest in roles that challenge perceptions and break away from the tough, abrasive characters she was repeatedly offered after her win, even saying she would welcome the chance to play characters like queens or princesses.

Leo continues to work steadily in film and television, with recent and upcoming projects underscoring her commitment to choosing roles that excite her creatively. While an Oscar may be seen as a career pinnacle, Leo’s experience serves as a reminder that success in Hollywood doesn’t always follow a predictable path.