14 Legendary Actors Who Somehow Never Won an Oscar

Every year, the Academy Awards honor the top achievements in film, but many talented and beloved Hollywood stars have yet to win an Oscar despite numerous nominations. These actors have drawn audiences with their compelling performances, commercial success, and undeniable charisma, and are often considered some of the best in their field. Let’s explore some of the industry’s most accomplished talents who, despite their achievements, have not received the coveted award, showing that even icons can sometimes go unrecognized by the Academy.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan‘s career is a showcase of maturity, grace and emotional depth well beyond her years. At just 25 years old, she became the second-youngest performer, male or female, to receive four Academy Award nominations, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Samuel L. Jackson

One of the most prolific actors in film history, Samuel L. Jackson blends box office dominance with memorable character work. He received just one competitive Oscar nomination, for Pulp Fiction in 1995, before being presented with an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement at the 2022 Governors Awards, as reported by The Washington Post.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close is the epitome of stage and screen excellence, with a storied career and a collection of unforgettable roles. Nominated eight times for an Academy Award, she holds the record for the most Oscar nominations in an acting category without a competitive win, according to TIME.

Demi Moore

An enduring star, Demi Moore rose to fame in the ’80s and ’90s, quickly becoming a Hollywood powerhouse with acclaimed, daring roles. She was nominated just once for an Oscar in 2025 for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in The Substance, per IMDb.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson has seamlessly navigated comedy, drama and action, earning wide respect for his emotional depth and screen versatility. He has received three Academy Award nominations, for Best Actor in The People vs. Larry Flynt and Best Supporting Actor for The Messenger and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, yet has never won, per Britannica.

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe is revered for his intense and magnetic presence, frequently transforming himself for both mainstream and indie films. He has earned four Academy Award nominations across four different decades, with nods for Platoon, Shadow of the Vampire, The Florida Project, and At Eternity’s Gate, according to Biography.com.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams is widely regarded as one of the most consistently excellent actors of her generation, delivering performances full of vulnerability and intelligence. She’s received six Academy Award nominations, including five for Best Supporting Actress, but zero wins, as reported by TIME.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton commands both critical and audience acclaim, thanks to a career built on fearless performances and complex characters. He has earned four Academy Award nominations, including for his role as a reformed neo-Nazi in American History X and as charismatic folk singer Pete Seeger in A Complete Unknown, yet an Oscar win remains just out of reach, per Britannica.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett‘s compelling charisma and commitment to telling powerful stories have led to memorable, award-worthy roles. She has been nominated for an Academy Award twice, first for portraying Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It, and later for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, before receiving an honorary Oscar at the 2024 Governors Awards, as reported by NPR.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is a symbol of box-office dominance and daring performances, balancing chart-topping action with acclaimed dramatic roles. He has been nominated four times for an Oscar, for Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, Magnolia and as a producer on Top Gun: Maverick, according to IMDb.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter stands out for her bold, eccentric and emotionally rich character work, often taking on roles that are unforgettable in both mainstream hits and indie fare. She has received two Academy Award nominations, for Best Actress for The Wings of the Dove and Best Supporting Actress for The King’s Speech, but has yet to take home a win, per BIFA.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts has built her reputation with fearless performances in emotionally charged films, often diving into challenging material that leaves a lasting impact. She earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Actress, for her roles in 21 Grams and The Impossible, but the Academy Award itself remains out of reach, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Johnny Depp

Known for his transformative roles and collaborations with visionary directors, Johnny Depp has delivered a string of iconic performances across genres. His turns as Jack Sparrow and Sweeney Todd earned him Oscar nods and he has received three Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in total, as reported by Screen Rant, but didn’t win.

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper is the definition of a modern leading man, celebrated for his range across comedies dramas, and musicals, and for his work as a director and producer. With 12 Oscar nominations spanning acting, producing and screenwriting, and not a single win, his Oscar shelf is astonishingly still empty, per Gold Derby.