great immigrants
great immigrants logo

Oscar Isaac

Actor and Musician

Born in: Guatemala
Oscar Isaac

“There are very few geniuses that come and revolutionize everything. For the rest of us who want to be artists and have something to say, it’s a lot of work and a lot of luck,” Oscar Isaac told The Film Society of Lincoln Center in 2013. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Isaac has appeared in a number of plays, films and television programs. He won the 2015 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Nick Wasicsko on the HBO miniseries “Show Me a Hero," and earned a Golden Globe nomination for his starring role in the Coen Brothers' comedy-drama, “Inside Llewyn Davis, (2013).” Issac has since had major roles in the Star Wars films, "The Force Awakens" (2015) and "The Last Jedi" (2017), as well as "X-Men: Apocalypse" (2016). Following his performance as the title role in “Hamlet” at the Public Theater in New York last year, “Vanity Fair” described him as “the best dang actor of his generation.” He stars in the American-Spanish drama “Life Itself,” to be released in theaters this Fall. Before becoming an actor, Isaac toured with his band, the Blinking Underdogs, playing guitar and singing vocals. Updated July 2018

More 2018 Great Immigrants
Get the Carnegie Reporter and our best articles delivered to your inbox.