USA TODAY International Edition
Driver, Efron and Davis are missing from the list
Awards season is back in full swing, and with it, the usual hand- wringing over who was or wasn’t nominated. In Monday’s Golden Globe nominations, “The Color Purple” ( in theaters ● Christmas Day) was snubbed in the best musical/ comedy category, despite landing acting nominations for stars Fantasia Barrino (“American Idol”) and Danielle Brooks (“Orange Is the New Black”). Here are more of the most surprising omissions in the nominations for the ● Golden Globe Awards, which are Jan. 7 on CBS and Paramount+ ( 8 p. m. ET/ 5 PT). Julia Louis- Dreyfus
The “Veep” star delivers one of the year’s best performances in “You Hurt My Feelings,” a comedy about criticism, insecurity and the white lies we tell our loved ones. But despite nine Globe nominations ( and one win for “Seinfeld”), Louis- Dreyfus was passed over for best comedy actress.
America Ferrera
The “Ugly Betty” star has been on the campaign trail for Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” in which she plays a toy designer and mom struggling to reconnect with her daughter ( Ariana Greenblatt). Ferrera gets a barnstorming monologue about the impossible standards of womanhood but was sadly overlooked for best supporting actress.
Viola Davis
After her performance in “The Woman King” was snubbed by the Oscars last year, it’s disappointing to see Davis’ stellar work in “Air” ignored by the Globes this season as Deloris Jordan, the business- savvy mom of Michael Jordan. Her absence is even more head- scratching given the drama was nominated for musical/ comedy and comedy actor ( Matt Damon).
Adam Driver
The press- shy star has been working the circuit to promote Michael Mann’s “Ferrari,” with appearances at Venice and New York film festivals as well as last month’s Gotham Awards. But Driver couldn’t cross the finish line in the race for best actor, nor could co- star Penélope Cruz for best supporting actress.
Taraji P. Henson
The “Empire” star is luminous in “The Color Purple” as Shug Avery, the sultry nightclub singer who helps Celie ( Fantasia Barrino) come out of her shell. But despite acting nominations for Barrino and Danielle Brooks as the headstrong Sofia, Henson was missing from Monday’s nominations.
Zac Efron
The former teen heartthrob steps into the ring in “The Iron Claw,” which tells the real- life story of the Von Erich wrestling dynasty. But the well- received movie was down for the count when it was overlooked in all Globes categories.
Dominic Sessa
In Alexander Payne’s warm and wistful “The Holdovers,” the first- time actor holds his own against powerhouse performers Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, playing an unlikely trio stuck at a boarding school over Christmas. Although his co- stars were recognized for their work, the Globes egregiously snubbed Sessa as supporting actor.
‘ Wonka’
Timothée Chalamet earned a well- deserved best comedy actor nod for movie musical “Wonka,” a sugar- sweet origin story about Roald Dahl’s eccentric chocolatier. But the whimsical film from “Paddington” director Paul King was shut out of the best musical/ comedy category in favor of more provocative contenders “May December” and “Poor Things.”
Aunjanue Ellis- Taylor
After nearly 30 years in Hollywood, Ellis- Taylor finally landed her first Oscar nomination last year for “King Richard” with Will Smith. She’s back in the awards mix this season with Ava DuVernay’s long- awaited “Origin,” a thought- provoking drama about race and class. But her campaign took a knock Monday when she was excluded from the competitive best drama actress category at the Globes.