A Stranger Funded Her Education - Jessie Buckley's Cinderella story puts her first in the Oscars 2025 race
Jessie Buckley is now the frontrunner for Best Actress at the 96th Academy Awards. Her rise to fame began with an unusual twist—a stranger named Tony paid for her entire drama school education at RADA after meeting her in a London nightclub. Since then, she has earned major accolades, including a BAFTA and a Golden Globe this awards season alone.
Buckley's acting career nearly didn't happen without financial help. In 2013, she graduated from RADA, thanks to Tony, who covered her tuition and living costs. The two met by chance, and his support allowed her to train professionally.
Her breakthrough came in 2022 with an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in The Lost Daughter. This awards season, she has already won the Critics' Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and the BAFTA for Best Actress. Now, she leads the race for the Oscar, ahead of rivals like Kate Hudson and Emma Stone.
Next, Buckley will star in The Bride!, a fresh take on Bride of Frankenstein. The film, co-starring Christian Bale and Jake Gyllenhaal, is set for release in early March.
Buckley's journey from an unknown student to an Oscar favourite highlights the impact of Tony's generosity. With a major film on the way and a strong chance of winning the Academy Award, her career continues to climb. The stranger's support years ago has shaped one of this year's most celebrated performances.
