10 Incredibly Popular And Talented Actors Who Have Never Won An Oscar

How can this be true? Some of these celebrities are too awesome for this to be true, and yet it is.

Damjan

• Published in Film & TV
• April 4, 2022

The annual Academy Awards are, without a doubt, the pinnacle event for American actors and filmmakers. The gold statuettes are status symbols in and outside of the acting community, as well as acknowledgments of brilliance in Hollywood.

This isn't to say that every great actor will win an Oscar; in fact, many of the most well-known and critically praised performers have never won an Academy Award. Some movie enthusiasts may be surprised to learn which legendary performers have never won an Academy Award.

The Oscars are an annual event where movie buffs gather to see which of their favorite films will win this year. But, Oskars is not the only measure of an actor's worth and talent, as this list will prove.

We've created a list of ten outstanding and successful actors that never got an Oscar. And let us tell you, you will be surprised because there are some really famous actors on the list.

They've proved themselves in blockbusters and independent artistic movies. And we love them for it.

But, somehow, the Academy does not. Or at least, not enough to give them one of those gold thingies.

And it's a shame. But even if they don't win it ever, they will still be our favorite actors.

1. Johnny Depp

Depp was a frequent muse for director Tim Burton, and his film Sweeney Todd garnered an Oscar nomination. His performances in Finding Neverland and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl were also recognized by the Academy, but he never won an Oskar.

2. Liam Neeson

In 1993, Schindler's List won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, however, the actor who played Oskar did not get an award. (Tom Hanks, on the other hand, was the winner for Philadelphia.) Despite Golden Globe nominations for Michael Collins and Kinsey, the film is Neeson's only Oscar nomination.

3. Glenn Close

Glen Close was always so close. Throughout her career, the eight-time Academy Award nominee has played everything from a sexy stalker (Alex in Fatal Attraction) to a live-action Disney villain (Cruella in 101 Dalmatians) and everything in between.

4. Sigourney Weaver

Weaver's performance in Aliens was beaten out by Marlee Matlin's Oscar-winning performance in Children of a Lesser God in 1987. Weaver received a double-whammy (together with Julianne Moore) two years later, with nominations for lead and supporting actress for Gorillas in the Mist and Working Girl, respectively.

5. Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson missed Oscar by little for her work in Hidden Figures. She did, however, receive a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her work in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

6. Ian McKellen

A royal blunder! Sir Ian was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and has won over 60 major international acting accolades, including a Tony Award for his performance as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus (the same role that won F. Murray Abraham his Oscar in 1985).

Despite nominations for Gods and Monsters and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, McKellen has yet to win an Academy Award. Yes, Sir, give this international treasure a gold guy as quickly as possible!

7. Tom Cruise

Show me the Oscar!!!!!! For his roles in Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia, Cruise has been nominated for three Academy Awards.

8. Michelle Williams & Ryan Gosling

Michelle has gotten four Oscar nominations over the years, including one for Blue Valentine in 2011. While her co-star Ryan Gosling did not receive an Oscar nomination for his effort in the film, he has received two nominations for his roles in Half Nelson and La La Land throughout the years.

9. Harrison Ford

He's one of Hollywood's biggest actors, having played such legendary roles as Han Solo and Indiana Jones, yet he hasn't gotten much Oscar love. Ford's only nomination came for his work in Witness as an undercover detective.

10. Amy Adams

Adams has received six Academy Award nominations, including five for Best Supporting Actress and one for Best Actress for American Hustle. She was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her part in Vice, for which she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Fun fact, Will Smith was also on this list, but he was got removed from it in the most spectacular way. Not only did he receive an Academy Award for his role as Richard Wiliams (Serena's and Venus's father and coach), but he also slapped the comedian Chris Rock for insulting his wife with one of his jokes.

Damjan