The Greatest Actors Who Have Never Won An Oscar (For Acting)
There are many actors who haven't won an Oscar. For 95 percent of the acting population, there is probably a good reason they haven't taken home one of film's most prestigious honors. Only two actors per year can win either the best actor or best supporting actor Oscars, leaving eight other nominees with nothing.
But does the Academy always get it right? There are plenty of actors who haven't won an Oscar, despite the fact that they’ve turned in amazing performances. Whether it’s due to stellar competition, bad luck, or an out-and-out snub, some artists have never gotten the recognition they deserve. Of course, some actors - like the great shapeshifter Gary Oldman - do finally get recognized after years without even a nomination, let alone a win.
Johnny Depp and Edward Norton are all big draws at the box office who haven't received the same respect of the Academy that they have from audiences. While they've all been nominated for Oscars, they've never taken home the big prize. Other top actors without acting Oscars include Liam Neeson, Robert Downey, Jr.. Matt Damon, and Michael Fassbender. This list of Hollywood celebrities who have no Academy Awards also includes Black actors, like Samuel L. Jackson, and famous classic stars, like Peter O'Toole and Cary Grant. How these people never won an Oscar will always be a mystery!
There are a surprising number of big name actors who haven't won an Oscar. Vote up the actors you think should've taken home the trophy below. Then check back to see if your favorites topped the list!
- Peekskill, New York, United States of America
Nominated for: The Lovely Bones
- Port Glasgow, Scotland, UK
James McAvoy has never been nominated for an Academy Award.
- Shirebrook, Derbyshire, England
Nominated for: Midnight Express, The Elephant Man
- Horfield, United Kingdom
Nominated for: Penny Serenade, None But the Lonely Heart
He earned an Honorary Award for his life's work in 1970.
- Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Nominated for: Brokeback Mountain
- Manhattan, New York City, New York
Nominated for: Eastern Promises, Captain Fantastic, Green Book
- Heidelberg, Germany
Nominated for: 12 Years a Slave, Steve Jobs
- St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
John Goodman has never been nominated for an Academy Award.
- Miami, Florida, United States of America
Nominated for: Fargo
- Amsterdam, New York, USA
Nominated for: Lust for Life, The Bad and the Beautiful, Champion
He earned an Honorary Award for his life's work in 1996.
- Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Nominated for: The Green Mile
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Nominated for: Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, American Sniper, A Star Is Born
- Beech Grove, Indiana, United States of America
Nominated for: The Sand Pebbles
- Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA
Nominated for: The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher, Spotlight
- Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
Nominated for: What's Love Got to Do with It
- Rochester, New York, USA
Nominated for: Terms of Endearment, The World According to Garp
- Neptune City, New Jersey, United States of America
Danny DeVito has never been nominated for an Academy Award.
- Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Jim Carrey has never been nominated for an Academy Award.
- Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Nominated for: Hotel Rwanda
- New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Nominated for: Cinderella Man
- Lynwood, California, USA
Nominated for: Dances with Wolves
- London, Canada
Nominated for: Half Nelson, La La Land
- Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States of America
Nominated for: Citizen Kane
He earned an Honorary Award for his life's work in 1971.
- Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Nominated for: This Sporting Life, The Field
- New York City, New York, USA
Nominated for: Bugsy
- Peekskill, New York, United States of America
Mel Gibson has never been nominated for an Academy Award (for acting).
- Lund, Sweden
Nominated for: Pelle the Conqueror, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
- Lewisham, London, England
Nominated for: The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain
- Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Kurt Russel has never been nominated for an Academy Award.
- St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
Vincent Price was never nominated for an Academy Award.