t's not child's play, stealing scenes from Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin. But in "True Grit", 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld holds her own against those seasoned performers.


'True Grit'
In the Coen brothers' new screen adaptation of the picaresque novel from 1968, Steinfeld is a force to be reckoned with. She plays Mattie Ross, who is bent on killing the man who gunned down her father and made off with his horse and money. She hires U.S. marshal Rooster Cogburn.

Child actors and Oscars
Kids rarely take home Oscars. After all, most actors work their entire lives to acquire the skills that might lead to a nomination. And Academy Award voters tend to take that into account.

Chloë Grace Moretz
Chloë Grace, 13, gave us two killer characters this year.

Kodi Smit-McPhee
Australian Kodi, 14, followed up his excellent work last year with another star turn this year.

Elle Fanning
Elle, 12, won her first independent role at the age of 4.

Jennifer Lawrence
Lawrence was only 18 when she played the role that might get her an Oscar nomination.