15 Celebrated Actresses Still Awaiting Their Oscar Triumph
Some of the most acclaimed performances in film history come from women who have yet to take home an Academy Award. Many of these actresses have earned multiple nominations, led box office hits, and picked up major prizes from guilds and festivals, yet the golden statue has remained just out of reach.
This list spotlights fifteen widely honored talents who are still in pursuit of that first Oscar win. Each entry notes their nomination history where applicable, along with notable films, major industry recognition, and career milestones that show how firmly they are established at the top of the craft.
Glenn Close
Glenn Close has eight Academy Award nominations across leading and supporting categories. Her nominated work includes ‘The World According to Garp’, ‘The Big Chill’, ‘The Natural’, ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘Dangerous Liaisons’, ‘Albert Nobbs’, ‘The Wife’, and ‘Hillbilly Elegy’.
Her career features major television and theater accolades including Primetime Emmy Awards and Tony Awards. She has headlined acclaimed projects across decades and has worked with directors such as Stephen Frears, Adrian Lyne, and Rob Reiner.
Amy Adams
Amy Adams holds six Oscar nominations spanning both lead and supporting roles. Her nominated performances include ‘Junebug’, ‘Doubt’, ‘The Fighter’, ‘The Master’, ‘American Hustle’, and ‘Vice’.
She has won multiple Golden Globes and has starred in films that range from intimate character studies to large scale releases like ‘Arrival’. Her credits include collaborations with directors Paul Thomas Anderson, David O Russell, and Denis Villeneuve.
Annette Bening
Annette Bening has five Academy Award nominations. Her nominated roles are ‘The Grifters’, ‘American Beauty’, ‘Being Julia’, ‘The Kids Are All Right’, and ‘Nyad’.
She has multiple Golden Globe wins and a long stage background that includes significant theater awards. Her filmography pairs independent standouts with studio successes, and she has worked with filmmakers such as Mike Nichols and Sam Mendes.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams has five Oscar nominations in both lead and supporting categories. Her nominated films are ‘Brokeback Mountain’, ‘Blue Valentine’, ‘My Week with Marilyn’, ‘Manchester by the Sea’, and ‘The Fabelmans’.
She has won a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy and has played real life figures and complex fictional characters across film and limited series. Her body of work includes collaborations with Kelly Reichardt and Todd Haynes alongside major studio projects.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan has four Academy Award nominations that arrived at a notably young age. Her nominated roles are ‘Atonement’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Lady Bird’, and ‘Little Women’.
She has a Golden Globe win and consistent recognition from critics groups on both sides of the Atlantic. Her films span period dramas and contemporary stories, and she has partnered frequently with filmmakers like Greta Gerwig and Joe Wright.
Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan has three Oscar nominations for leading roles. Her nominated performances are ‘An Education’, ‘Promising Young Woman’, and ‘Maestro’.
Her honors include a BAFTA win and industry prizes from film festivals and critics associations. She has worked across independent cinema and prestige releases and has appeared on major stages in London and New York.
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson earned two Oscar nominations in the same year for lead and supporting roles. The nominations were for ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’.
She holds a BAFTA win and a Tony Award and has a filmography that includes global box office leaders as well as auteur driven dramas. Her range stretches from ‘Lost in Translation’ to the Marvel franchise with frequent work alongside directors like Noah Baumbach and Taika Waititi.
Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter has two Academy Award nominations. They came for ‘The Wings of the Dove’ and ‘The King’s Speech’.
She won a BAFTA for ‘The King’s Speech’ and has received major television awards recognition for period and contemporary roles. Her career includes collaborations with Tim Burton and appearances in large franchises such as ‘Harry Potter’.
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts has two Oscar nominations for leading roles. She was nominated for ’21 Grams’ and ‘The Impossible’.
Her credits include festival prize winners and Best Ensemble recognition at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for ‘Birdman’. She continues to move between independent dramas and wider releases and has worked with directors like Alejandro G Iñárritu and J A Bayona.
Laura Linney
Laura Linney has three Academy Award nominations in lead and supporting categories. Her nominated films are ‘You Can Count on Me’, ‘Kinsey’, and ‘The Savages’.
She is a multiple Primetime Emmy winner and a frequent presence on Broadway with major theater honors. Her screen work spans acclaimed limited series and feature films, and she has collaborated with filmmakers such as Kenneth Lonergan and Tamara Jenkins.
Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver has three Oscar nominations that cover science fiction, biographical drama, and corporate satire. The nominations were for ‘Aliens’, ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, and ‘Working Girl’.
She has won multiple Golden Globes including recognition for both ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ and ‘Working Girl’ in the same year. Her credits include the ‘Alien’ series and ‘Avatar’ along with a range of independent and studio films.
Toni Collette
Toni Collette has one Academy Award nomination for a supporting role. The nomination was for ‘The Sixth Sense’.
She has won a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe for television work and has earned wide recognition in films such as ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ and ‘Hereditary’. Her career includes a mix of Australian productions and international features.
Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek has one Oscar nomination for a leading performance. The nomination was for ‘Frida’.
Her work spans acting and producing in both English and Spanish language projects, and she has credits in major franchises and independent films. She has also received honors from organizations that recognize achievements in global cinema.
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley has two Academy Award nominations in lead and supporting categories. She was nominated for ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘The Imitation Game’.
Her career includes period dramas, contemporary comedies, and action adventures, with recognition from BAFTA and guild awards. She has worked with directors such as Joe Wright, James Righton as a collaborator in music projects, and Morten Tyldum.
Rooney Mara
Rooney Mara has two Oscar nominations across lead and supporting categories. The nominations were for ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ and ‘Carol’.
She shared the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for ‘Carol’ and has appeared in acclaimed independent productions and studio releases. Her collaborations include work with David Fincher, Todd Haynes, and Steven Soderbergh.
Share the names you would add to this list in the comments so we can keep the conversation going.