The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, are thought to be the most prestigious awards in the movie business. Winning an Oscar can be a defining moment in an actor or director’s career, and can even elevate their status in Hollywood. However, despite their talent and hard work, many notable celebrities have surprisingly never won an Oscar. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous actors and directors, and producers who have been overlooked by the Academy over the years.
1. Amy Adams
Amy Adams is a highly respected actress in Hollywood who has appeared in many critically acclaimed movies. She has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress five times, for her performances in “Junebug,” “Doubt,” “The Fighter,” “The Master,” “Vice,” and “American Hustle” but she has not yet won an Oscar.
2. Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp has been nominated for three Academy Awards. He was first nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” in 2004. He was then nominated again for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in “Finding Neverland” in 2005.
His third nomination was for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Benjamin Barker/Sweeney Todd in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” in 2008. Sadly, he didn’t win any of those.
3. Glenn Close
Glenn Close has been nominated for eight Oscars but has never won. She has been recognized for her performances in films such as “Fatal Attraction,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” and “The Wife,” “The World According to Garp,” “The Big Chill,” “The Natural,” “Albert Nobbs,” “Hillbilly Elegy” but she hasn’t won yet. It seems almost inevitable at this point, right? She has to win one soon.
4. Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson is a well-known actor who has played memorable roles in movies like “Pulp Fiction,” “Django Unchained,” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has been nominated for an Academy Award once, for his supporting role in the film “Pulp Fiction” in 1995. However, he did not win the award that year. But he did get an Honorary Academy Award in 2022.
5. Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver is pretty legendary when it comes to acting. Just the Alien movies alone wouldn’t be nearly as iconic without her. She has been nominated for three Oscars. She has been recognized for her performances in films such as “Aliens,” “Gorillas in the Mist,” and “Working Girl,” but has yet to win the award.
6. Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise has been nominated for three Oscars but has never won. He has been recognized for his performances in films such as “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Jerry Maguire,” and “Magnolia,” and most recently “Top Gun: Maverick” was nominated for Best Picture, but Tom has yet to take home the Oscar.
7. Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott, the famous English director, and producer has been nominated for three Oscars. He was nominated for Best Director for “Thelma & Louise”, “Gladiator”, “Black Hawk Down”, and “The Martian” was nominated for Best Picture. He is also famous for his work on movies like “Prometheus”, “Hannibal”, “House of Gucci”, “G.I. Jane” and many others. It seems almost impossible that he has yet to win an Oscar, and yet, he’s still waiting for that golden statuette.
8. Michelle Pfeiffer
You’ve seen her in “Scarface,” “The Age Of Innocence,” “Mother!” and “The Family.” Michelle Pfeiffer has been nominated for Oscars for her roles in the films “Dangerous Liaisons,” “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” and “Love Field,” but we have yet to hear the phrase “The Oscar goes to Michelle Pfeiffer” at the Academy Awards.
9.Ian McKellen
The most shocking thing about Ian McKellen isn’t even that he’s never won an Oscar. But the fact that he’s only been nominated twice. Once for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1999 for “Gods and Monsters,” and once for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 2002 for “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” How is it even possible that an actor of such magnitude has only been nominated twice and has yet to win?
