54 Down

NYT Daily • July 31, 2025

___ Farmiga, Best Supporting Actress nominee for 2009's "Up in the Air"

Answer:

VERA

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for the clue:\n\n*\"This actress shares her first name with a famous fashion designer known for her bold patterns.\"*\n\nThis hint:\n- Points to \"Vera\" (as in Vera Wang, the fashion designer).\n- Avoids repeating the original clue or giving away the answer directly.\n- Provides a cultural reference that might jog the solver’s memory."]

Explanation:

The clue is a straightforward definition-style clue that provides a hint about the answer by referencing a well-known actress and her notable role. - The blank "___" indicates that the answer is a first name. - "Farmiga" is the last name of the actress in question. - The clue specifies that she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2009 film *Up in the Air*. The answer is **"VERA"**, as Vera Farmiga is the actress who received that nomination. There is no wordplay or pun involved—this is a direct reference to a real person and her professional achievement. The clue relies on the solver's knowledge of film and awards to connect the dots.

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