Inside Sam Rockwell's Oscar-nominated turn as George W. Bush in Vice By Devan Coggan Devan Coggan Devan Coggan (rhymes with seven slogan) is a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly. Most of her personality is just John Mulaney quotes and Lord of the Rings references. EW's editorial guidelines January 23, 2019 6:00 p.m. ET On Feb. 24, winners will be crowned at the 91st Academy Awards. But before the red carpet is rolled out and envelopes are opened, Entertainment Weekly has inside intel on the 2019 nominees. Keep checking back at EW.com this week for spotlights on contenders in all the major categories. Sam RockwellStarring In: ViceAge: 50Oscar past: 1 nomination, 1 winRole call: The 43rd president of the United States and unwitting Dick Cheney foot soldier George W. Bush George W. Bush has been ripe fodder for actors and comedians for nearly 20 years, but in Adam McKay’s Vice, Sam Rockwell imbues the former president with something new. Rockwell’s Bush is sort of a Texan frat boy-turned-mark, whose path to the presidency presents an opportunity for Dick Cheney (Christian Bale). To prepare for the role, Rockwell watched takes by his predecessors — including Josh Brolin, Steve Bridges, and Will Ferrell (who served as a producer on Vice) — before immersing himself in recordings and footage of the actual 43rd president. “Oddly, for such little screen time [in Vice], it felt like a lead role because when I was away, I had to listen to [Bush] and that was weird,” Rockwell says. “It’s a very small part, but I had to stay in it.” Mission accomplished. Related content: How the Vice team built their genre-busting, fourth-wall-breaking Dick Cheney satire Adam McKay on why he loves the ‘divisive’ nature of Oscar nominee Vice Christian Bale and Sam Rockwell chart Dick Cheney’s rise under George W. Bush in Vice trailer Read more: The Awardist Oscars