20 Hollywood Legends Who Never Won an Oscar (But Should Have)

The Oscars are Hollywood’s ultimate prize, but some of the industry’s greatest talents never took home the gold despite delivering performances that defined eras. These actors, directors, and writers shaped cinema with their bold choices and unforgettable work, yet the Academy passed them by, leaving fans stunned at the snubs.

I’ve selected 20 legends who truly deserved an Oscar but never won. From magnetic stars to visionary filmmakers, here’s a list of their brilliance, celebrating their enduring impact.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts earned two nominations for ‘21 Grams’ (2003) and ‘The Impossible’ (2012), but no win. Her raw, heart-wrenching portrayal of a grieving mother in ‘21 Grams’ showed a fearless emotional depth that gripped audiences.

Watts’ ability to convey quiet strength in films like ‘Mulholland Drive’ (2001) and vulnerability in ‘King Kong’ (2005) marks her as a standout. The Academy’s oversight of her nuanced talent feels like a missed chance to honor a modern great.

John Malkovich

John Malkovich’s two nominations for ‘Places in the Heart’ (1984) and ‘In the Line of Fire’ (1993) didn’t secure a win. His chilling performance as a cunning assassin in the latter was a masterclass in understated menace.

Malkovich’s quirky intensity in ‘Being John Malkovich’ (1999) and gravitas in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ (1988) show his unmatched range. The Academy’s failure to reward him is a puzzling snub for such a singular talent.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer’s three nominations for ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ (1988), ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys’ (1989), and ‘Love Field’ (1992) never led to a win. Her sultry, soulful Susie Diamond in ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys’ redefined screen charisma.

Pfeiffer’s fierce Catwoman in ‘Batman Returns’ (1992) and tender roles in ‘The Age of Innocence’ (1993) prove her versatility. The Academy’s oversight of her magnetic performances remains a glaring miss.

Edward Norton

Edward Norton’s three nominations for ‘Primal Fear’ (1996), ‘American History X’ (1998), and ‘Birdman’ (2014) didn’t bring a statue. His raw, transformative turn as a reformed neo-Nazi was a gut-punch of intensity.

Norton’s chameleon-like work in ‘Fight Club’ (1999) and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ (2014) showcases his depth. The Academy’s snub of his fearless performances feels like a cinematic injustice.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise earned three acting nominations for ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ (1989), ‘Jerry Maguire’ (1996), and ‘Magnolia’ (1999), plus one as a producer for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022), but no wins. His raw vulnerability as Ron Kovic was a career-defining shift.

Cruise’s electric energy in ‘Risky Business’ (1983) and intensity in ‘Mission: Impossible’ films show his range. The Academy’s failure to honor this box-office titan is baffling.

John Cusack

John Cusack never earned an Oscar nomination despite iconic roles in ‘Say Anything’ (1989) and ‘High Fidelity’ (2000). His heartfelt Lloyd Dobler, boombox in hand, became a symbol of young love.

Cusack’s witty, soulful turns in ‘Grosse Pointe Blank’ (1997) and ‘Being John Malkovich’ (1999) resonate deeply. The Academy’s total oversight of his relatable charm is a head-scratcher.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey, shockingly, has no Oscar nominations despite dramatic brilliance in ‘The Truman Show’ (1998) and ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004). His layered portrayal of a man trapped in a fake world was both funny and heartbreaking.

Carrey’s blend of manic comedy in ‘Ace Ventura’ (1994) and raw emotion in ‘Man on the Moon’ (1999) shows his range. The Academy’s snub of his versatility is a major miss.

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe’s four nominations for ‘Platoon’ (1986), ‘Shadow of the Vampire’ (2000), ‘The Florida Project’ (2017), and ‘At Eternity’s Gate’ (2018) never led to a win. His eerie Max Schreck was a haunting blend of humor and horror.

Dafoe’s raw intensity in ‘Wild at Heart’ (1990) and warmth in ‘The Lighthouse’ (2019) highlight his range. The Academy’s failure to reward him feels like a crime against artistry.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver’s three nominations for ‘Aliens’ (1986), ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ (1988), and ‘Working Girl’ (1988) didn’t secure a win. Her iconic Ripley redefined action heroines with grit and heart.

Weaver’s commanding presence in ‘Avatar’ (2009) and emotional depth in ‘The Ice Storm’ (1997) show her power. The Academy’s snub of this trailblazer is a galactic oversight.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson’s sole nomination for ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994) as the philosophical Jules didn’t win, despite his electrifying delivery. His commanding presence made every line iconic.

Jackson’s dynamic roles in ‘Django Unchained’ (2012) and ‘The Hateful Eight’ (2015) cement his status as a screen legend. The Academy’s single nod for this titan feels absurdly stingy.

Toni Collette

Toni Collette’s nomination for ‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999) didn’t lead to a win, despite her devastating portrayal of a mother grappling with her son’s gift. Her quiet pain was unforgettable.

Collette’s chilling work in ‘Hereditary’ (2018) and charm in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006) showcase her range. The Academy’s oversight of her emotional depth is a haunting snub.

Mia Farrow

Mia Farrow never earned a nomination, despite her haunting role in ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968). Her unraveling as a paranoid mother-to-be was a masterclass in subtle terror.

Farrow’s nuanced performances in ‘Hannah and Her Sisters’ (1986) and ‘Crimes and Misdemeanors’ (1989) show her delicate power. The Academy’s total snub of her talent is a quiet tragedy.

Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper’s sole nomination for ‘Hoosiers’ (1986) didn’t win, but his raw turn as a broken alcoholic was deeply moving. His wild energy in ‘Blue Velvet’ (1986) redefined villainy.

Hopper’s iconic roles in ‘Easy Rider’ (1969) and ‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979) shaped counterculture cinema. The Academy’s failure to honor him feels like a rebel’s exile.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe never received a nomination, yet her radiant charm in ‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959) made her a comedy icon. Her blend of vulnerability and sparkle was pure magic.

Monroe’s dramatic depth in ‘The Misfits’ (1961) and charisma in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ (1953) proved her range. The Academy’s snub of this legend is a Hollywood heartbreak.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman, shockingly, never won for his chameleon-like roles in ‘JFK’ (1991) or ‘The Contender’ (2000), despite a nomination for ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ (2011). His Lee Harvey Oswald was eerily vivid.

Oldman’s transformative work in ‘Sid and Nancy’ (1986) and ‘Dracula’ (1992) shows his fearless range. The Academy’s oversight of this acting giant is a scandalous miss.

Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen’s two nominations for ‘Gods and Monsters’ (1998) and ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001) didn’t win. His soulful James Whale was a tender triumph.

McKellen’s commanding Gandalf and magnetic Magneto in ‘X-Men’ (2000) made him a legend. The Academy’s failure to reward his gravitas is a fellowship broken.

Robert Altman

Robert Altman, nominated five times for directing films like ‘MASH’ (1970) and ‘The Player’ (1992), never won. His innovative, overlapping dialogue in ‘Nashville’ (1975) redefined storytelling.

Altman’s bold vision in ‘Gosford Park’ (2001) and ‘Short Cuts’ (1993) pushed cinematic boundaries. The Academy’s snub of this maverick feels like a directorial betrayal.

Peter O’Toole

Peter O’Toole’s eight nominations, including ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962) and ‘Becket’ (1964), never led to a win. His towering T.E. Lawrence brought epic charisma to a complex hero.

O’Toole’s regal intensity in ‘The Lion in Winter’ (1968) and charm in ‘My Favorite Year’ (1982) showed his range. The Academy’s snub of this icon is a desert-sized tragedy.

Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick’s four nominations for ‘Dr. Strangelove’ (1964), ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968), ‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1971), and ‘Barry Lyndon’ (1975) never won. His satirical genius in ‘Strangelove’ reshaped comedy.

Kubrick’s visionary work in ‘The Shining’ (1980) and ‘Full Metal Jacket’ (1987) pushed film forward. The Academy’s failure to honor this master is a cinematic outrage.

Cary Grant

Cary Grant’s two nominations for ‘Penny Serenade’ (1941) and ‘None But the Lonely Heart’ (1944) didn’t win. His suave, witty Roger Thornhill in ‘North by Northwest’ (1959) defined the Hitchcock hero.

Grant’s comedic brilliance in ‘Bringing Up Baby’ (1938) and romance in ‘An Affair to Remember’ (1957) made him a star. The Academy’s snub of this legend is the ultimate Hollywood blunder.

Which of these snubbed legends do you think deserved an Oscar most, or is there another overlooked star you’d fight for? Drop your thoughts in the comments!