14 Actors Who Should Have Won An Oscar, But Our Hearts Are Theirs Anyway

The Oscars are considered the top honors event in Hollywood, and the trophy is highly desired by talented actors. An actor who receives an Oscar award is undoubtedly a skilled and proficient practitioner of their craft. Although the spotlight is often on the winners, individuals who receive Oscar nominations only receive a mere nod.
Sure, we could dwell on the fact that they were snubbed by the Academy, but where's the fun in that? Instead, we want to celebrate their incredible performances and enduring legacies that have made them household names.
At the end of the day, it’s no problem with not winning any Oscar. By portraying iconic characters and astonishing us with their emotional depth, these actors have left an indelible mark not only on cinema history, but also in our hearts. And unlike the coveted golden statue, that's a prize that can never be taken away.

#1 Glenn Close

Source: Graeme Hunter / Graeme Hunter Pictures

Glenn Close has received eight Oscar nominations for her outstanding performances in almost five decades of her career. Although her recent nomination for Hillbilly Elegy in 2021 was unlikely to win her an award, she was considered the frontrunner in 2017 for her role in The Wife. However, she lost out to Olivia Colman, who was a newcomer to the Academy at the time.
Despite her lack of an Oscar win, many in Hollywood believe that Close is overdue for the recognition she deserves and that her drought may not last forever.

#2 Amy Adams

Source: © Buena Vista Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

For whatever reason, Amy Adams has unfortunately become known as an Oscar also-ran. She has been nominated for six Academy Awards for her acting but has yet to win. She initially gained recognition for her breakthrough performance in the indie dramedy Junebug in 2005, which marked the beginning of her unsuccessful nominations. Despite delivering outstanding performances in acclaimed films such as Doubt, The Fighter, and The Master, she has yet to receive the coveted golden statuette.
Her most recent nomination was in 2019 for her role in Adam McKay's Dick Cheney biopic Vice. However, at the age of 47, there is still plenty of time for Adams to be recognized with an Oscar, or even multiple Oscars, in the future.

#3 Jane Alexander

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Considered a strong contender for an Oscar in the 1970s and early 1980s, Jane Alexander received four nominations in just fourteen years for her performances in The Great White Hope (1970), All the President’s Men (1976), Kramer vs Kramer (1979), and Testament (1983). Despite the recognition, Testament was her final nomination, and she has since focused more on television and stage work. She received a Tony Award nomination in 2020.
While she has appeared in only three films since 2009, Alexander remains a prominent presence in the Entertainment industry.

#4 Warren Beatty

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Warren Beatty is a highly talented figure in the New Hollywood era, having received numerous Oscar nominations for his work as a writer, actor, director, and producer. He won Best Director for Reds in 1981 but never won Best Actor, despite being nominated four times. One of his best performances, in Robert Altman's “McCabe & Mrs. Miller,” was never even nominated for an Oscar.
Nevertheless, Beatty remains a significant figure in Oscar history, having played a key role in the infamous Best Picture announcement blunder of 2017.

#5 Bradley Cooper

Source: © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

First gained recognition for his role in The Hangover, Bradley Cooper has since become one of Hollywood's leading men. He appeared in highly regarded films like Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, American Sniper, and A Star is Born, all of which earned him Oscar nominations for his acting.
Additionally, Cooper has been recognized by the Academy for his producing and directing work, although he has yet to win an Oscar in any category. While his latest film, Nightmare Alley, has not received much recognition this awards season, it is still in contention for Best Picture.

#6 Willem Dafoe

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Willem Dafoe, a versatile actor admired by both indie film fans and mainstream audiences, has surprisingly never won an Oscar. He has been nominated four times for his roles in Platoon, Shadow of the Vampire, The Florida Project, and At Eternity's Gate. While all four performances were critically acclaimed, many felt that his portrayal of a caring motel manager in The Florida Project was the most deserving of recognition.

#7 Saoirse Ronan

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The Irish actress has been consistently nominated for Oscars, which has become a subject of amusement for many Oscar experts. By the age of 24, she had already received four nominations for her roles in various films such as Atonement, Brooklyn, Lady Bird, and Little Women.
It is highly likely that the 27-year-old will eventually win an Oscar. Some even predicted that she might even surpass Meryl Streep's record for the most nominations given her rate of success.

#8 Michelle Williams

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Michelle Williams is a well-known actress who has starred in blockbuster movies such as Venom and The Greatest Showman. However, her most impressive performances are in smaller, more serious films such as Certain Women and Manchester By the Sea.
Williams has been nominated for four Oscars, including for her roles in Blue Valentine and Manchester By the Sea, which were both deserving of wins. She was also recognized for her performances in Brokeback Mountain in 2006 and My Week with Marilyn in 2012.

#9 Tom Cruise

Source: Paramount Pictures

Tom Cruise's career has transitioned from nuanced performances to high-octane blockbusters in recent years. However, his role as a misogynistic pickup artist in Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, which earned him an Oscar nomination, is still regarded as one of his best performances. He has been nominated for a total of three Oscars, including for Born on the Fourth of July and Jerry Maguire.

#10 Matt Damon

Source: Focus Features

Matt Damon is another major Hollywood actor who has yet to win an Oscar, despite being nominated three times. He received a nomination for Best Actor for Good Will Hunting in 1998, but only won Best Original Screenplay. He was also nominated for Invictus in 2010 and The Martian in 2016, but was unsuccessful. His role in The Last Duel, a medieval epic released in 2021, could have been a contender. Unfortunately, the film was not nominated for any Oscars.

#11 Helena Bonham Carter

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Helena Bonham Carter, who has enjoyed a diverse career spanning three decades, has received two Academy Award nominations. One for Best Actress in 1997's The Wings of the Dove. And the other for Best Supporting Actress in 2010's The King's Speech. Both films are considered typical Oscar material, with lavish cinematography and serious acting, produced by Weinstein.
Bonham Carter has tackled various period dramas and literary adaptations on screen, including works by Shakespeare, James, Forster, and Shelley. She has also displayed her versatility by taking on roles in big-budget blockbusters, independent films, and musicals. Although she doesn't need an award to validate her talent, it would be a welcome acknowledgement for Bonham Carter's outstanding work.

#12 Deborah Kerr

Source: IMDb

Deborah Kerr received an impressive six nominations for Best Actress during her career, but unfortunately, she never received a golden statue. Despite her remarkable talent and contribution to the film industry, she was never able to win an Oscar, making her the actress with the most nominations for Best Actress without a win.
Although she is widely recognized as a legendary actor, an Oscar win would have solidified her status even further.

#13 Johnny Depp

Source: IMDb

Johnny Depp rose to stardom in 1984 with his role in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Since then, he has been nominated for Best Actor three times since 2004 for his performances in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Finding Neverland, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Despite his status as one of the biggest names in Hollywood, Depp has yet to win an Oscar. Many fans and critics alike are surprised that his acclaimed portrayals of characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow, Willy Wonka, and the Mad Hatter haven't earned him the coveted award.

#14 Peter O'Toole

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Peter O'Toole, a legendary actor, was nominated for eight Oscars throughout his career but never won any of them. He has been nominated for iconic roles in Lawrence of Arabia, Becket, and The Lion in Winter. However among others, he always faced tough competition from other talented actors. In recognition of his lifetime of impressive acting work, the Academy awarded him an Honorary Award in 2003, after years of snubbing him for the competitive categories.