Supporting Actresses

Given Amy Adams' low level of fame at the time, it's hard to even call her brief, wordless appearance in the 2006 musical comedy Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny a cameo—but that won't stop us from covering it. We're joined by Roger & Me and New Flesh host Brett Arnold to talk about how Amy ended up playing Gorgeous Woman, and why this movie had to bomb for the sake of the bit. Plus: the prank c...

Instead of following up Junebug with Oscar bait, Amy Adams returned to studio comedy in 2006's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, where she plays Ricky's assistant-turned-love interest, Susan. We're joined by Emmy-winning reporter and Screen Rant host Ash Crossan to talk about Amy's iconic monologue, and whether or not this movie is funnier than Anchorman. Plus: Will Ferrell's kissing sk...

Amy Adams received her first of six Academy Award nominations for the 2005 dramedy Junebug, where she plays the very sweet (and very chatty) Ashley. We're joined by writer and This Had Oscar Buzz co-host Chris Feil to talk about how close Amy came to taking home the gold, and why movies like this don't get made anymore. Plus: running away from Mike Nichols, Ben McKenzie's second act as an anti-cry...

As we approach Amy Adams' first Oscar nomination, we're forced to endure one more misguided indie. In the 2005 comedy Standing Still, she plays another bride-to-be, Elise, who is celebrating her upcoming nuptials with her friends, the worst people you've ever met. We're joined by writer and Podcast Like It's... co-host Phil Iscove to talk about Amy standing out in an ensemble, and how this movie d...

In the no man's land between Catch Me If You Can and Junebug, Amy Adams did make one studio film: the 2005 romantic comedy The Wedding Date, in which she plays Amy, the bride whose titular wedding inspires her half-sister to hire a sex worker. We're joined by podcaster and digital strategist Wynter Mitchell to talk about Amy's fixation on English breakfast, and why Debra Messing's movie star era w...

It's not entirely clear when Amy Adams filmed the 2004 romantic dramedy The Last Run, where she takes on the thankless role of shrewish fiancée Alexis. By the time it was released, however, she got top billing to capitalize on her recent success. We're joined by Sporked writer and taste tester Gwynedd Stuart to talk about Amy phoning it in for a paycheck, and how a misogynistic sex comedy can also...

Working with Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio on the 2002 crime dramedy Catch Me If You Can could have been Amy Adams' breakthrough, but that's not what ended up happening. We're joined by Variety senior entertainment writer Adam B. Vary to talk about Amy's transition from mean girl roles to tender vulnerability, and the somewhat muted reception to Spielberg's then-most personal film. Plus:...

Amy Adams got a slightly larger part in the 2002 romantic comedy Serving Sara, but her role as deceptively crafty mistress Kate wasn't enough to save the film from disaster. We're joined by Pure Innocent Fun author and Keep It! co-host Ira Madison III to talk about Amy being a bright spot in a bad movie, and how Matthew Perry's struggles nearly derailed this production. Plus: movies that only exis...

Amy Adams continued her run of glorified cameo roles with her bit part as sorority mean girl Alex in the 2002 dark comedy romance Pumpkin. We're joined by This Ends at Prom co-host BJ Colangelo to talk about Amy's incredible calves, and what we mean when we call a movie a "problematic fave." Plus: the thrill of blonde Christina Ricci, unpacking societal discomfort with disability and sex, and the...

After a few more substantial supporting roles, Amy Adams took on a glorified cameo as cheerleader Doreen in the 2002 coming-of-age sports drama The Slaughter Rule. We're joined by Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi to talk about Amy using her dance background to its full potential, and how this movie fumbles its football metaphors. Plus: our Ryan Gosling origin stories, the distinct vibe of early aughts...

Amy Adams had only just moved to Los Angeles when she booked the starring role of Kathryn Merteuil on the Fox series Manchester Prep. The show was canceled before it ever aired, but two episodes and some raunchier additional scenes were Frankensteined into the 2000 direct-to-video prequel Cruel Intentions 2. We're joined by Screen Drafts host Clay Keller to talk about Amy's villain era, and the in...

Amy Adams' second film was the 2000 comedy-horror satire Psycho Beach Party, adapted from Charles Busch's play of the same name, where she plays maneater and ice cream sandwich enthusiast Marvel Ann. We're joined by radio and podcast host John Hill to talk about Amy's early embrace of queer roles, and the importance of understanding the assignment. Plus: the actresses we'd most want to have a slee...

Amy Adams made her cinematic debut with the 1999 cult classic mockumentary Drop Dead Gorgeous, where she plays American Teen Princess Pageant contestant Leslie Miller, a cheerleader with a voracious sexual appetite and a heart of gold. We talk about Amy's transition from dinner theater to the big screen, and the way Drop Dead Gorgeous failed to find an audience—at least not for several years. Plus...