Oldest Best Director Oscar nominee

Martin Scorsese (USA, b. 17 Nov 1942) was 81 years 67 days old when his Best Director nomination for Flowers of the Killer Moon (USA, 2023) was confirmed on 23 January 2024, ahead of the 96th Academy Awards. At the time, Scorsese was two years older than John Huston (1906-87), whose Best Director nod for Prizzi’s Honor was announced on 4 February 1986, when he was 79 years 183 days old.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro (nominated for Best Supporting Actor) and Lily Gladstone (nominated for Best Actress), Flowers of the Killer Moon was also co-written and co-produced by Scorsese, whose 10th nomination in the category is the most by a living director, taking him one ahead of Steven Spielberg. Overall, William Wyler (USA, b. Germany, 1902-81) received 12 Best Director nods. Scorsese’s only Oscars win in the category came in 2007, for The Departed (USA, 2006), also starring DiCaprio. Should Scorsese claim Best Director at the 96th Academy Awards on 10 March 2024, he will break Clint Eastwood’s 19-year-old record as the oldest winner: Eastwood (b. 31 May 1930) was 74 years 272 days old when he won the award for Million Dollar Baby (USA, 2004) at the 77th Academy Awards on 27 February 2005.