Best Debut Performances

The much respected Oscar blogger, Kris Tapley, has put together a list of the ten best debut performances. So you’ve got the likes of Orson Welles, Emily Watson, Ed Norton and our very own Natalie in 3rd place.

The preeminent child performance in my book came from Natalie Portman and her first on-screen appearance in Luc Besson’s “The Professional.” A few people were firing on all cylinders in this one, including Jean Reno and Gary Oldman, but Portman fit right in and perhaps owned them all with a delicate portrayal that announced to the world the arrival of a bright young talent. She would make her way through films like “Heat” and “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” before breaking out as a star in her own right, culminating, finally, in an Oscar win just last year.