Top 10 Actors Who Haven't Won an Oscar
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These actors have yet to be rewarded for their excellence in cinematic achievements. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 actors who haven’t won an Oscar.
For this list, we’ve limited it to male actors who haven’t won Academy Awards for acting, and have based our entries on a mix of the number of nominations received and those who are generally perceived to have been snubbed too often. Honorary or special Oscars don’t count as they’re not competitive.
#10 - Robert Downey, Jr.
RDJ appeared in several comedies and dramas before making a splash as Charlie Chaplin. He was so good the Academy nominated him, but his career and personal life took soon took a tumble. Despite some award-winning TV time, it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that he found his footing again. Now, Iron Man’s flying high and landed an Oscar nod for his outrageous turn in “Tropic Thunder.” Still no wins though.
#9 - Albert Finney
The English actor found stage success before making a name for himself on the big screen. Though he’s won Golden Globes, BAFTAs and an Emmy, Oscar glory has escaped him five times so far. After four Best Actor Oscar nominations during the 20th century, Finney demonstrated he’s still got it in the new millennium with a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nod as Julia Roberts’ lawyer in “Eric Brokovich.”
#8 - Edward Norton
Though it takes some actors decades before they’re recognized by the Academy, Norton got his first Supporting Actor Oscar nod right off the bat with “Primal Fear.” It’s not the only time Norton showcased such diversity within a role: see his Best Actor-nominated “American History X” performance for proof of that. Though Norton’s shown he can more than hold his own against other acting greats, he hasn’t had a nod since.
#7 - Will Smith
He’s a Grammy-winning rapper, television star and box office king but still the Fresh Prince can’t catch Oscar gold. He may be funny-as-hell but he can also be oh-so-serious – which has made the Academy sit up and take notice – twice! They didn’t give him the trophy either time, but that hasn’t stopped Will from pursuing genres as varied as sci-fi, rom-com and bio-pics.
#6 - Johnny Depp
To shake his teen idol status, Depp took on movie roles that were unlike his TV character as much as possible – and boy, did he ever! From his eccentric but memorable performances with frequent collaborator Tim Burton, to romances, thrillers, and more, Depp’s done it all. But his first Oscar nod only came along in the new century for what’s now considered his trademark role: Jack Sparrow. He’s since earned two more nominations, but no victories yet.
#5 - Brad Pitt
Before his brood with Angelina Jolie had paparazzi in a frenzy, Pitt had hearts a-fluttering and critics talking for his good looks and acting chops. Speaking of frenzy, he earned his first Oscar nomination for a role light years away from the pretty boy Hollywood had come to expect. Since then, he’s earned two more nods and shown himself at ease in comedies, epics, action flicks, and more – close but still no cigar.
#4 - Richard Burton
Burton may have played Elizabeth Taylor’s leading man on and off-screen, but he also had incomparable acting skills – and he got seven Oscar nominations to prove it. Unfortunately, he never bagged any wins before his 1984 death. But Burton won plenty of other awards during his lifetime and was at one time Hollywood’s top-earning actor.
#3 - Leonardo DiCaprio
Jack Dawson may’ve been “the king of the world” but DiCaprio has yet to add the title of Oscar winner to his 20-plus year career. It’s not like he hasn’t been nominated: he was still a teen when he nabbed his first and earned two more in the mid-2000s. DiCaprio’s since shown he can deftly play in dramas, tragedies, comedies, and more but the trophy still eludes him.
#2 - Gary Oldman
Acting since the ‘70s, Oldman’s often been described as one of the best actors today thanks to his versatility, theatrical acting style and extreme dedication to the craft. While pop culture fans love him for his villain roles, he’s also impressed us with his real-life portrayals. He finally received his first Oscar nod for 2011’s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” but even then, he lost.
#1 - Peter O’Toole
With eight Oscar acting nods and no wins, it’s not surprising O’Toole holds the record. The Irish actor’s extensive and deeply respected repertoire that ranges from epics to historical dramas and musicals to black comedies has earned him many accolades. And even though “Lawrence of Arabia” is considered one of cinema’s finest flicks, O’Toole only has an Honorary Oscar from 2003 to show for his almost 60-year career.
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