The Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars, have traditionally been viewed as one of the most prestigious awards an actor can receive. Countless actors have received recognition from the Academy, and yet some, despite all expectations and their talent, are still waiting for their awards. This became a long-running joke among actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, who was notoriously snubbed of the award for years until his performance inThe Revenantfinallyearned him his first Oscarin 2016.
Though many well-known actors receive recognition at other ceremonies, it is still perplexing to see those who haven’t received an Academy Award. There are many actors that one would just naturally assume would have an Academy Award but, in fact, do not. This is a list of brilliant, well-deserved actors who have come close or deserved to win in years past.
Update June 21, 2025: This article has been updated with even more actors who have yet to win an Academy Award but deserve to.
20Tom Cruise
Tom Cruiseis an action hero and box-office machine, but he also used to be interested in playing unique characters, always flawed, while working with incredible directors like Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Stanley Kubrick, and Steven Spielberg. Although he’s been nominated three times as an actor, Cruise never won an Oscar, and that’s a shame, as his work inMagnolia, Jerry Maguire(was nominated for both), but alsoA Few Good MenorEyes Wide Shutshould’ve earned him one.
Many were expecting him to earn a nomination for his role inTop Gun: Maverick, but while that movie received a lot of nominations at the Academy Awards, Cruise was snubbed. It feels odd that the biggest movie star on the planet, one who has delivered some incredible work, has not yet won an Oscar.
19Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr.might be one of the most famous and richest actors in Hollywood, as the MCU wouldn’t have worked without his Tony Stark. The actor has proven with that role and with those before and after that he can be mesmerizing in front of a camera, creating memorable characters like no other, making the most difficult thing look easy. His Oscar-nominated performance inChaplinis still lauded as one of his best, and rightly so, and he also earned a nomination for his performance as method actor Kirk Lazarus inTropic Thunder.
In the last few months, Downey Jr. has emerged as the frontrunner for Best Supporting Actor, thanks to his performance as Lewis Strauss inOppenheimer.He might not be on this list for much longer, although he faces stiff competition from other potential nominees like Ryan Gosling forBarbieand Robert De Niro forKillers of the Flower Moon.
18Bradley Cooper
Making his feature film debut in the 2001 comedyWet Hot American Summer,Bradley Cooperhas been on the scenefor two decades. He was nominated for Best Actor for his roles inSilver Linings Playbook, American SniperandA Star is Born.He also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor inAmerican Hustlein 2014. This also does not count the times he has been nominated as a Producer for Best Picture with nominations forAmerican Sniper,A Star Is Born,Joker, andNightmare Alley.
Cooper has definitely acquired Oscar buzz throughout his career, being nominated nine times a wide variety of categories. Unfortunately, has yet to take one home. His new film,Maestro,which he has both directed and plays the lead character Leonard Bernstein, might be what changes his luck as he has already generated a great deal of buzz in the awards circuit.
17Toni Collette
Toni Colletteis trulyan acting chameleonwho brilliantly transforms herself in every character she takes on, having starred in a slew of acclaimed and diverse hits includingLittle Miss Sunshine,Muriel’s Wedding,Hereditary, andKnives Out(among countless others). In 2000, Collette was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role inThe Sixth Sense,and she also won a Golden Globe Award for her work in the dramedy seriesUnited States of Tara.
The actress is constantly earning rave reviews for her dynamic performances and is a master at keeping her fans on their toes when it comes to her film projects. Many feel like she was snubbed for Best Actress for her turn inHereditary, a role that many consider to be the best in her career. While the Academy might have a bias towards horror films, they also seem to have it against Toni Collette.
Related:Best Toni Collette Performances, Ranked
16Edward Norton
Well-known for his role as the unnamed narrator and the protagonist in the cult classicFight Club,Edward Nortonhas already proved that he is able to take over some brutally harsh characters.Norton’s illustrious roleshave not been easy ones, having to reflect on the mental status of the said characters, in turn, urging the actor to dwell deep into the character’s personality and mindset. The fact that Norton has not backed off from such performances and has, in fact, perfectly captured the requirements is evidence that he is one of the best in Hollywood.
Norton has been nominated in the past three times, including in his first film role ever as Aaron inPrimal Fear.Recently, his performances inThe French DispatchandGlass Onionhave illustrated his ability to take over diverse roles. Norton was at one point considered the most exciting new actor of the 1990s, the heir to the likes of Robert DeNiro and Al Pachino, so it is odd to think he has never won an Academy Award.
15Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek’sbreakout role was Carolina in 1995’sDesperado.Since then, the actress has had a career like no other, mixing indie and big studio films, includingFools Rush In, Wild Wild West,andBandidas,while also becoming a great voice actress in movies likeThe HunchbackorPuss in Boots.Right now, she’s always a welcome supporting player who makes every film in which she appears better. In all her career, the role that’s still most remembered, and for which she was nominated for an Academy Award, was for her portrayal of Frida Kahlo inFrida.
The film about the Mexican painter saw success in other ceremonies and received Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Makeup. Being considered one of Hayek’s most notable roles and for her beautiful portrayal of Kahlo, this Academy Award feels snubbed. Hayek will hopefully earn her first win someday soon.
14Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaalhas been dazzling moviegoers with his character-driven performances and riveting on-screen presence since he made his cinematic debut in 1991’sCity Slickers.Brought up in a show business family including actress sister Maggie, screenwriter mother Naomi Foner, and director father Stephen Gyllenhaal, the decorated actor was destined to do great things on the big screen.
He received an Oscar nomination for his breakthrough role inBrokeback Mountainand has dominated Hollywood since then with memorable parts in films likeDonnie Darko,Zodiac,Nightcrawler, andNocturnal Animals. It is shocking that the gifted actor hasn’t taken home the coveted statue yet, but judging by his impressive career so far, it’s only a matter of time.
13Naomie Harris
Having acted in over twenty feature films in under fifteen years,Naomie Harrismade a name for herself after winning a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance for her role as Selena in28 Days Later. You might also remember her work inMiami Vice,theBondfranchise as Money Penny,and, especially, her role in Moonlight, always leaving a mark, even if it’s as a supporting character.
That was the film for which Harris was eventually nominated for her first Academy Award.Her nomination was for Best Supporting Actress and was certainly worthy of the award. Her crushing performance as Paula, a drug-addicted mother whose abusive tendencies damage her relationship with her son, still stings in the hearts of audiences. We hope Harris will pull in more nominations again and finally get her award.
12Johnny Depp
Having starred in numerous iconic films and for his diverse portrayals of zany characters, it is genuinely surprising thatJohnny Depphas no Oscar wins on his shelf. Depp made his debut in 1984’sA Nightmare on Elm Streetand has played memorable roles such as Jack Sparrow, Willy Wonka, Sweeney Todd, and more. Although being Academy nominated forPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,Finding Neverland,andSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,Depp has stated he doesn’t everwant to win an Oscar.He is, however, honored by the nominations he has received, saying they are enough.
11Samuel L. Jackson
One of the highest-grossing actors of all time,Samuel L. Jacksonhas starred in countless critically acclaimed films. He’s been Jules Winnfield, Nick Fury, Shaft, Mace Windu, and Sargent “Hondo” Harrelson, and that’s scratching the surface, as he’s been part of more than 200 films. An actor who got his success late in his career, Jackson hasn’t stopped working since. In 2021, it was announced that he wouldreceive an honorary Academy Award. So close to the real thing. Before this, his only Academy recognition was for his role as Jules Winnfield inPulp Fiction.Despite receiving his honorary Academy Award, we are interested in seeing if Jackson can still obtain the classic, golden man in the future.
