
The Hollywood legends mentioned in this article belong to different genres of film-making. Regardless, all of them have one thing missing – an Oscar. So why haven’t they won yet? I really don’t know and perhaps, the esteemed ‘Members of the Academy’ need a tutoring session in selecting good work. Till that happens, let’s get to know these amazing legends who haven’t won an Oscar yet.
Shocking but True:
Kevin O’Connell, a sound re-recording mixer, holds the most number of Oscar nominations without a win. He has been nominated in the ‘Best Sound’ category a total of 20 times, but has never won the Academy Award.
It doesn’t seem like the Oscars if you don’t feel annoyed or disappointed in the end. Back in 1994, Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption were the biggest contenders for the ‘Best Picture’ title, but they lost. According to the esteemed critics, they are still counted as few of the highest rated movies ever made, but the award still went to Forrest Gump. This is, in my opinion, the best example of poor judgment on the Academy’s part.
Let’s cut back to recent events. The 85th Academy Awards was definitely a grand event but was confusing at times. I just couldn’t understand how Christoph Waltz won the Best Supporting Actor award, when actually he was the co-protagonist of Django Unchained. I could also go on and on about Philip Seymour Hoffman, and how he should have won the Best Supporting Actor award for The Master. The biggest lapse in judgment was Cloud Atlas not getting a single Oscar nomination, not even in the Special Effects category.
I think it is sufficient to say that Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences commits ridiculous blunders, and often ignores talent that genuinely deserves an Oscar. Let’s take a look at some of those Hollywood legends.
Although many film fanatics do not acknowledge the concept of a Honorary Oscar, it is still an Oscar and film personalities who have won any, aren’t listed in this article.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and doesn’t undermine the work of others who are associated with this profession.
Great Male Actors Who Have Never Won an Oscar
Edward Norton (Nominations)
★ Best Actor: As Derek Vinyard in American History X — Lost to Roberto Benigni in Life Is Beautiful
★ Best Supporting Actor: As Aaron Stampler in Primal Fear — Lost to Cuba Gooding, Jr. in Jerry Maguire
Edward Norton is another great actor whose talent hasn’t been appreciated by the Academy yet. One of the most versatile actors of this generation, Norton can perform any role with ease and maturity. He gave a performance of a lifetime in American History X (1998), and has been lauded with praise for Primal Fear (1996), Fight Club (1999), and 25th Hour (2002).
Johnny Depp (Nominations)
★ Best Actor: As Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl — Lost to Sean Penn as Jimmy Markum in Mystic River
★ Best Actor: As Sir James Matthew Barrie in Finding Neverland — Lost to Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray
★ Best Actor: As Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street — Lost to Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood
I still can’t believe that he hasn’t got his Oscar yet. The man is simply brilliant in everything he does, and is known for his dedication to each project he undertakes. Other than acting, Depp also loves music and has been nominated thrice for the Best Actor category.
Tom Cruise (Nominations)
★ Best Actor: As Ron Kovic in Born on the Fourth of July — Lost to Daniel-Day Lewis as Christy Brown in My Left Foot
★ Best Actor: As Jerry Maguire in Jerry Maguire — Lost to Geoffrey Rush as David Helfgott in Shine
★ Best Supporting Actor: As Frank T.J. Mackey in Magnolia — Lost to Michael Caine as Dr. Wilbur Larch in The Cider House Rules
Although Tom Cruise has given back-to-back blockbusters, the Academy still doesn’t consider him Oscar-worthy. I agree that Top Gun (1986) and Mission Impossible series might not be worthy, but how can The Color of Money (1986), Rain Man (1988), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), and Jerry Maguire (1996) be ignored? Cruise is also one of the highest paid actors on the planet and I’m pretty sure, one of these days he is going to get that statue.
James Dean (Nominations)
★ Best Actor: As Cal Trask in East of Eden — Lost to Ernest Borgnine as Marty Piletti in Marty
★ Best Actor: As Jett Rink in Giant — Lost to Yul Brynner as The King Of Siam in The King and I
If it wasn’t for his untimely death, James Dean would have definitely won an Oscar. Even though Dean passed away in 1955, he is still an idol to millions and is considered one of the greatest legends of Hollywood. So captivating were his performances, that he became the first and only actor to receive two posthumous Academy Award nominations in the Best Actor category.
Will Smith (Nominations)
★ Best Actor: As Muhammad Ali in Ali — Lost to Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris in Training Day
★ Best Actor: As Christopher Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness — Lost to Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland
One of the most talented actors of this generation, it is surprising that Will Smith has never won an Oscar. The man is known to take each role seriously, and it has always been an honor to see him performing. He has been nominated twice, for Ali (2001) and The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) (his best performance till date). However, the Academy still doesn’t consider him worthy enough for an Oscar.
Brad Pitt (Nominations)
★ Best Actor: As Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button — Lost to Sean Penn as Harvey Milk in Milk
★ Best Actor: As Billy Beane in Moneyball — Lost to Jean Dujardin as George Valentin in The Artist
★ Best Supporting Actor: As Jeffrey Goines in Twelve Monkeys — Lost to Kevin Spacey as Roger Kint in The Usual Suspects
Contrary to what people say, this gorgeous man hasn’t survived in Hollywood just because of his looks. He surely can act and has delivered some memorable performances in 12 Monkeys (1995), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and Moneyball (2011). However, I still can’t believe that he wasn’t nominated for Fight Club (1999). His portrayal of the rebellious Tyler Durden was just breathtaking, but it wasn’t good enough for the Academy it seems.
Ryan Gosling (Nominations)
★ Best Actor: As Dan Dunne in Half Nelson — Lost to Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland
How can they not consider him for Lars and the Real Girl (2007)? The movie is magical and Gosling’s portrayal of the socially awkward Lars is just outstanding. The members did acknowledge him for Half Nelson, but they again snubbed him for Drive and Ides of March. Although, both the movies received critical acclaim and were nominated for various awards, Gosling was again snubbed from the Oscars.
Great Female Actors Who Have Never Won an Oscar
Ava Gardner (Nominations)
★ Best Actress: As Honey Bear Kelly in Mogambo — Lost to Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann in Roman Holiday
Adorable, talented and cute are words that are best associated with the amazing Ava Gardner. She was not only considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, but also a great actress. Gardner is widely recognized as Honey Bear Kelly in Mogambo (1953) – her most memorable performance till date.
Thelma Ritter (Nominations)
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Birdie Coonan in All About Eve — Lost to Josephine Hull as Veta Louise Simmons in Harvey
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Ellen McNulty in The Mating Season — Lost to Kim Hunter as Stella Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Clancy in With a Song in My Heart — Lost to Gloria Grahame as Rosemary in The Bad and the Beautiful
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Moe Williams in Pickup on South Street — Lost to Donna Reed as Alma Burke in From Here to Eternity
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Alma in Pillow Talk — Lost to Shelley Winters as Mrs. Petronella Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank
★ Best Supporting Actress: Elizabeth Stroud in Birdman of Alcatraz — Lost to Patty Duke as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker
Thelma Ritter is best remembered for portraying street-smart characters with an amusing yet sarcastic sense of humor. In her 20-year-old career, Ritter received six Academy nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category. Although best remembered for her comic roles, she also appeared in serious dramas such as Titanic (1953) and The Misfits (1961).
Julianne Moore (Nominations)
★ Best Actress: As Cathy Whitaker in Far from Heaven — Lost Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf in The Others
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Amber Waves in Boogie Nights — Lost to Kim Basinger as Lynn Bracken in L.A. Confidential
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Sarah Miles in The End of the Affair — Lost to Hilary Swank as Brandon Teena in Boys Don’t Cry
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Laura Brown in The Hours — Lost to Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly in Chicago
It is unfortunate that Julianne Moore, one of the most talented actresses alive, hasn’t received an Oscar yet. She has been an indispensable part of the industry since three decades, and has appeared in memorable films like Boogie Nights (1997), The Fugitive (1993), Short Cuts (1993), Magnolia (1999), Far from Heaven (2002), The Hours (2002), and The Kids Are All Right (2010).
Glenn Close (Nominations)
★ Best Actress: As Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction — Lost to Cher as Loretta Castorini in Moonstruck
★ Best Actress: As Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons — Lost to Jodie Foster as Sarah Tobias in The Accused
★ Best Actress: As Albert Nobbs in Albert Nobbs — Lost to Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Jenny Fields in The World According to Garp — Lost to Jessica Lange in Tootsie
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Sarah Cooper in The Big Chill — Lost to Linda Hunt as Billy Kwan in The Year of Living Dangerously
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Iris Gaines in The Natural — Lost to Peggy Ashcroft as Mrs. Moore in A Passage to India
Glenn Close is another great actress who has been royally snubbed by the Oscar committee six times. This makes her one of three actresses (along with Deborah Kerr and Thelma Ritter) to have the most nominations, without any success at the Oscars. She has been active in the industry for almost 3 decades now, but shows no signs of slowing down. Her recent portrayal of Albert Nobbs was highly appreciated by the critics and audiences alike.
Annette Bening (Nominations)
★ Best Actress: As Carolyn Burnham in American Beauty — Lost to Hilary Swank as Brandon Teena in Boys Don’t Cry
★ Best Actress: As Julia Lambert in Being Julia — Lost to Hilary Swank as Margaret Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby
★ Best Actress: As Nic in The Kids Are All Right — Lost to Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers in Black Swan
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Myra Langtry in The Grifters — Lost to Whoopi Goldberg as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost
A terrific performer and a deserving recipient, Annette Bening has been a four-time Oscar nominee and has won two Golden Globes. All her performances have received good reviews, but it has always been an absolute delight to see her in American Beauty (1999) and The Kids Are All Right (2010). Her performance as a materialistic, power-hungry real estate broker in American Beauty is considered her best role till date.
Amy Adams (Nominations)
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Ashley Johnsten in Junebug — Lost to Rachel Weisz as Tessa Quayle in The Constant Gardener
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Sister James in Doubt — Lost to Penelope Cruz as María Elena in Vicky Cristina Barcelona
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Charlene Fleming in The Fighter — Lost to Melissa Leo as Alice Ward in The Fighter
★ Best Supporting Actress: As Peggy Dogg in The Master — Lost to Anne Hathaway as Fantine in Les Misérables
She is probably the youngest on the list, however, does carry an impressive body of work. After doing supporting roles in various movies, she showed her true acting skills in one of the biggest hits of 2005 – Junebug. She was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category, and since then, has been a major part of some of the most critically acclaimed movies. Here’s hoping the four-time Oscar nominee to soon receive the golden award.
Directors Who Have Never Won an Oscar
Christopher Nolan (Nominations)
★ Best Original Screenplay: For Memento — Lost to Julian Fellowes for Gosford Park
★ Best Original Screenplay: For Inception — Lost to David Seidler for The King’s Speech
★ Best Film: For Inception — Lost to Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin for The King’s Speech
Known for his visually appealing yet complicated plots which create deception in your mind, Nolan, unfortunately, could not make it for the Best Director for The Dark Knight (2008) as well as for Inception (2010). Having a reputation as the finest studio director, it seems that Nolan, like many other ‘legends’ of Hollywood, got a cold shoulder from the jury of Academy Awards.
John Cassavetes (Nominations)
★ Best Original Screenplay: For Faces — Lost to Mel Brooks for The Producers
★ Best Supporting Actor: As Franko, V. R. in The Dirty Dozen — Lost to George Kennedy as Dragline for Cool Hand Luke
When we see Indie films today, we see a lot of influence from American Independent Cinema, and the Godfather of American Independent Cinema is none other than John Cassavetes. Even though he was nominated for his masterpieces like The Dirty Dozen (1967), Faces (1968) and A Woman Under the Influence (1974), he never went up to the stage to collect the awards, because he was never summoned at the first place. Well rough-edged creator, hard luck!
David Fincher (Nominations)
★ Best Director: For The Curious Case of Benjamin Button — Lost to Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
★ Best Director: For The Social Network — Lost to Tom Hooper for The King’s Speech
Well well well, who do we have here, yes, it’s none other than the maker of Fight Club (1999) and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), David Fincher. This proves that Oscar should never be a benchmark for judging good filmmakers, because we have an original raw cult gem genre director in this list.
So, here you go guys, popular Hollywood legends who still haven’t been appreciated for their hard work. It has always been said that individuals with an impressive body of work inevitably walk away with an Oscar. But over here, reality says a different story. Here’s wishing Hollywood’s greatest stars, all the best for the future.