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.Â
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!Â
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!Â
Was never nominated for an Academy Award.
Nominated for: Gods and Monsters (Best Actor), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Best Supporting Actor)
Nominated for: Finding Neverland (Best Actor), Sweeney Todd (Best Actor), Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Best Actor)
Nominated for: Chaplin (Best Actor), Tropic Thunder (Best Supporting Actor)
Nominated for: Pulp Fiction (Best Supporting Actor)
Nominated for: Unforgiven (Best Actor), Million Dollar Baby (Best Actor)
Nominated for: At Eternity's Gate (Best Actor), The Florida Project (Best Supporting Actor), Shadow of the Vampire (Best Supporting Actor), Platoon (Best Supporting Actor),
Nominated for: American History X (Best Actor), Primal Fear (Best Supporting Actor), Birdman (Best Supporting Actor)
Nominated for: Schindler's List (Best Supporting Actor), The English Patient (Best Actor)
Nominated for: Witness (Best Actor)
Nominated for: Schindler's List (Best Actor)
Nominated for: Les Miserables (Best Actor)
Was never nominated for an Academy Award.
Nominated for: The Great Dictator (Best Actor)
Nominated for: Apollo 13 (Best Supporting Actor), The Truman Show (Best Supporting Actor), Pollock (Best Actor), The Hours (Best Supporting Actor)
Nominated for: Good Will Hunting (Best Actor), Invictus (Best Supporting Actor), The Martian (Best Actor),
Nominated for: The People vs. Larry Flynt (Best Actor), The Messenger (Best Supporting Actor), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Best Supporting Actor)
Nominated for: The Producers (Best Supporting Actor)
Nominated for: Lost in Translation (Best Actor)
Nominated for: The Imitation Game (Best Actor)
Nominated for: Places in the Heart (Best Supporting Actor), In the Line of Fire (Best Supporting Actor)
Nominated for: Penny Serenade (Best Actor), None But the Lonely Heart (Best Actor)
Nominated for: Birdman (Best Actor)
Nominated for: The Sting (Best Actor)
Nominated for: Lawrence of Arabia (Best Actor), Becket (Best Actor), The Lion in Winter (Best Actor), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (Best Actor), The Ruling Class (Best Actor), The Stunt Man (Best Actor), My Favorite Year (Best Actor), Venus (Best Supporting Actor)