The Oscars air this Sunday on ABC, and while the annual awards celebrate the film industry, that doesn’t mean TV has to be left out of the equation.
Many of this year’s Academy Award nominees have colorful TV histories you might not know about (or remember). So if you haven’t seen their Oscar-nominated movies, you can prepare for the 90th Academy Awards by watching their small-screen appearances.
Allison Janney
Best Supporting Actress, “I, Tonya”
TV show: Janney is best known for “The West Wing” and “Mom,” but also appeared in an episode of ABC’s cult hit “Lost” in Season 6 (as the sinister foster mother of Jacob and the Man in Black).
Daniel Kaluuya
TV show: He starred in “Fifteen Million Merits,” the second episode of popular British sci-fi anthology show “Black Mirror.” He’s also appeared in (and co-wrote) episodes of British drama “Skins.”
Octavia Spencer
Best Supporting Actress, “The Shape of Water”
TV show: Spencer (below) starred as the head nurse (above) in Fox’s short-lived teen medical dramedy “Red Band Society” (2014).
Margot Robbie
Best Actress, “I, Tonya”
TV show: The Australian-born Robbie got her start in the US playing a stewardess (above) in ABC’s short-lived ’60s-era series “Pan Am” (2011-2012).
Gary Oldman
Best Actor, “Darkest Hour”
TV show: Oldman appeared in two “Friends” episodes in 2001: “The One With Monica and Chandler’s Wedding Part 1” and “Part 2” as an actor starring in a war drama with Joey.
Denzel Washington
Best Actor, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”
TV show: Washington got his big break on NBC’s medical drama “St. Elsewhere,” on which he co-starred as Dr. Philip Chandler from 1982-88.
Woody Harrelson
Best Supporting Actor, “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri”
TV show: Harrelson is best known for his TV work on “Cheers” and Season 1 of HBO’s “True Detective” — but he also appeared in eight episodes of “Will and Grace” in 2001 as Nathan (above, with Debra Messing), a neighbor who dates Grace.
Timothee Chalamet
Best Actor, “Call Me By Your Name”
TV show: Chalamet had a stint on “Homeland” in 2012 playing Finn Walden, who dated Nicholas Brody’s (Damien Lewis) mopey daughter, Dana (Morgan Saylor).