Three years later, in 2009, when Kathryn Bigelow received the Best Director for “The Hurt Locker,” she became the only fourth female nominee to ever be nominated by the Academy. But in terms of age, Bigelow, 58, is one of the veteran recipients, even if she won at her first nomination.
Right now, the oldest winners are Roman Polanski, 69, who won the Oscar at his third nomination for “The Pianist,” in 2002, and George Cukor, who was 65, when he won the Oscar for “My Fair Lady,” at his fifth nomination.
Young Directors
The youngest winners in the Academy annals are Norman Taurog, 32, for Skippy,” and Lewis Milestone, 33, who won the Best Comedy Director in the first year of the Oscars, for “Two Arabian Nights.” Joining him that year was Frank Borzage, who was 35, for “Seventh Heaven.” Other young achievers include Sam Mendes, 34, for “American Beauty,” in 1999.