Top 10 Actors Who Turned Down Oscar Winning Roles

This actor/director has maintained a respectable career, most notably winning a Golden Globe for “Mozart in the Jungle.” He nearly reached another level of fame, however, upon being offered the role of Rayon in “Dallas Buyers Club.” Bernal seemed like the frontrunner to play the trans woman who assists fellow AIDS patient, Ron Woodroof. He apparently had to back out of the film due to family issues, so the part went to method actor Jared Leto. Along with co-star Matthew McConaughey, Leto would sweep almost every major award show for his heartbreaking performance, building towards a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. At least Bernal has an Ariel Award, the Mexican equivalent to an Academy Award.

Following a slew of successful movies in the 1980s, Chevy Chase’s career took a nosedive with only an occasional highlight here and there. Things might’ve played out differently if he had accepted the part of Lester Burnham in “American Beauty.” A 42-year-old man enduring a midlife crisis, this character spoke to a generation of Americans fed up with middle-class lifestyle. While it could’ve given Chase a much-needed comeback, he ultimately rejected the role, afraid that it would damage his family-friendly image. What makes this so ironic is that Chase rose to superstardom with several R-rated comedies that were far from wholesome. Assuming the role, actor Kevin Spacey subsequently added a second Oscar to his mantel.

With her turn as Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” Angela Bassett earned an Academy Award nomination. Bassett was in a position to become the first African American to win Best Actress, but she lost to Holly Hunter for her work in “The Piano.” Several years later, Bassett was approached about playing Leticia Musgrove in “Monster’s Ball.” She passed on the part due to the screenplay’s sexual content. This paved the way for Halle Berry to accept the role, leading to a historic Oscar-winning performance.

With Steven Spielberg behind the camera, Liam Neeson delivered the performance of his career as Oskar Schindler, resulting in an Oscar nomination. Almost two decades after “Schindler’s List,” the actor and director were set to reunite for a biographical drama about Abraham Lincoln. Neeson left the project, however, as he felt too old to play America’s 16th President. The untimely death of his wife also reportedly factored into his decision. Before Neeson was even attached to the role, Daniel Day-Lewis had been Spielberg’s top choice. Although Day-Lewis previously turned down the part, he had a change of heart after Neeson stepped down. In due course, Day-Lewis won a record-breaking third Academy Award for Best Actor.

From award show darlings like “A Beautiful Mind” to blockbusters like “The Avengers,” Paul Bettany has played a variety of memorable characters. The English actor missed out on the role of a lifetime, however, when he walked away from “The King’s Speech.” Screenwriter David Seidler felt that Bettany was the ideal candidate to play King George VI. Bettany wasn’t interested because he felt overworked and wanted to spend more time with his family. While Bettany regretted missing the opportunity to collaborate with the film’s acclaimed cast and crew, he doesn’t regret standing by his loved ones. His choice certainly worked in Colin Firth’s favor, as he would win an Oscar for playing the stammering king.

In 2012’s “Arbitrage,” Richard Gere played a wealthy hedge fund magnate that faces serious jail time after getting a bit too greedy. Strangely enough, Gere almost played a very similar character back in the late 80s. Director Oliver Stone had his eye on him for the role of Gordon Gekko in “Wall Street.” Gere proved his ability to play an effective villain in “Looking for Mr. Goodbar.” He also demonstrated a knack for playing slick, charismatic men in “American Gigolo.” While we could definitely see him as Gekko, Gere wasn’t sold on the part. Michael Douglas, who already had an Oscar for producing, thus took on the role and won his first acting Academy Award.

Between Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and Rick Deckard, Harrison Ford has played some of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. Yet, he’s only accumulated one Oscar nomination for his work in “Witness.” The Hollywood legend probably could’ve corrected his overdue status had he accepted the role of Bob Barnes in 2005’s “Syriana.” Ford turned down the part because he “didn't feel strongly enough about the truth of the material.” Looking back in retrospect, Ford noted that he likely “made a mistake.” George Clooney, who had been experiencing a career renaissance ever since leaving “ER,” went on to play the Operations Officer and earned an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Gene Hackman is one of the few performers to win two Academy Awards for acting, but “The Silence of the Lambs” could’ve been his ticket to the elusive third Oscar. At one point, Hackman was not only attached to direct this thriller, but also star as the villainous Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Hackman reportedly left the project because one of his daughters wasn’t a fan of the source material. Jonathan Demme took over directorial duties while Anthony Hopkins landed the part of Hannibal. Meanwhile, Jodie Foster was cast as Clarice Starling after Michelle Pfeiffer rejected the role. The film won big on Oscar night, receiving accolades for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

It’s funny how things work out sometimes. Emma Watson was lined up to play Mia in Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land,” but she withdrew in order to play Belle in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” remake. Coincidentally, Ryan Gosling decided against playing the Beast so he could star as Sebastian in “La La Land.” As for Gosling’s screen partner, that role eventually went to Emma Stone. Although Stone won the Best Actress Oscar for her stunning performance as Mia, it’s hard to say that Watson made a bad career move. After all, “Beauty and the Beast” did make over a billion dollars, becoming the biggest live-action musical ever. So, we guess both Emmas are winners.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Anne Hathaway
“Silver Linings Playbook” (2012)

Julia Roberts
“Shakespeare in Love” (1998) & “The Blind Side” (2009)

Sandra Bullock
“Million Dollar Baby” (2004)

John Travolta delivered the ultimate comeback performance with his portrayal of Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction.” He scored an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in the process, but incidentally lost to a role he turned down. Travolta was initially the top choice to play the titular protagonist in “Forrest Gump.” When he declined the part, however, Tom Hanks stepped into Forrest’s leg braces and won his second Academy Award in a row. Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get. In Travolta’s case, he didn’t get an Oscar, but at least he got a Royale with Cheese, a $5 milkshake, and a big-screen career revival.