Let’s be honest—whereas the Oscars are Hollywood’s sparkling evening of glamour, the Golden Raspberry Awards, or Razzies, are where things get interesting. Since 1981, the Razzies have presented a cheeky, irreverent attitude towards movie-making, highlighting the most terrible performances, confounding artistic choices, and films that are hard to watch. Even A-listers have been on the receiving end of a Razzie—and some have even graciously accepted them in good spirits.
And so, who has best perfected the art of cinematic misfire? Here’s a top-10 countdown of the 10 most Razzie-winning actors, demonstrating that even A-listers can experience some unbelievably terrible days on set.
10. Pia Zadora – 4 Awards
Pia Zadora’s career may be lacking in hits, but it is rich in Razzie awards. She took home Worst Actress and Worst New Star for Butterfly in 1983, Worst Actress for The Lonely Lady, and topped the decade with Worst New Star of the Decade. In a curious twist of fate, she also received a Golden Globe for Butterfly, fueling speculation that her husband might have played a role in it. What a mixed bag!
9. Eddie Murphy – 4 Awards
Comedy great Eddie Murphy had a tough streak during the 2000s. He famously swept three Razzies in a single evening for Norbit, taking Worst Actor, Worst Supporting Actor, and Worst Supporting Actress (yes, for playing a bunch of different characters). He also took Worst Actor of the Decade for a string of flops, including Showtime and Meet Dave. Murphy is the only person to have won three Razzies for one film in a single year.
8. Ben Affleck – 4 Awards
Ben Affleck has demonstrated that he can swing from Oscar bliss to Razzie shame. His initial Razzie was in 2004 for a set of flops—Paycheck, Daredevil, and Gigli. He subsequently redeemed himself with the Razzie Redeemer Award for Argo and Gone Girl, only to return in 2017 to Razzie fame for Worst Screen Combo with Henry Cavill in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
7. Demi Moore – 4 Awards
Formerly Hollywood’s highest-paid starlet, Demi Moore has not been spared Razzie ridicule. She won Worst Actress for Striptease, The Juror, and G.I. Jane, and Worst Supporting Actress for Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. Even expensive big-budget movies could not keep her out of the Razzies’ radar.
6. Bo Derek – 4 Awards
Bo Derek’s initial success in 10 spawned a string of Razzie-deserving performances, primarily in movies directed by her then-husband John Derek. She received Worst Actress for Tarzan the Ape Man, Bolero, and Ghosts Can’t Do It, as well as Worst Actress of the Decade. Critics tended to comment that her performances were more about looks than acting, solidifying her Razzie fame.
5. Pauly Shore – 4 Awards
Pauly Shore was polarizing during the ’90s, and the Razzies noticed. Awards include Worst New Star for Encino Man, Worst Actor for Jury Duty and Bio-Dome, and Worst New Star of the Decade. When his film career tanked, Shore moved to stand-up, leaving Razzie days in the past.
4. Adam Sandler – 5 Awards
Adam Sandler is a box office behemoth but an Razzie favorite. Worst Actor for Big Daddy was his first, followed by sweeping the Razzies with Jack and Jill, collecting Worst Actor, Worst Screen Combo, and Worst Actress (for his twin sister). Another Worst Actor award came for That’s My Boy. It’s a rollercoaster ride of commercial success and critical failure in Sandler’s career.
3. Paris Hilton – 5 Awards
Paris Hilton’s acting career was brief but memorable—for the Razzies. She won Worst Supporting Actress for House of Wax and received three awards for The Hottie & the Nottie and Repo! The Genetic Opera, including Worst Actress and Worst Screen Couple. Hilton went on to music and television afterwards, leaving her Razzie dominance in the past.
2. Madonna – 9 Awards
The Queen of Pop dominates the Razzies, too. With nine wins and fifteen nominations, Madonna has been Worst Actress on several occasions (Shanghai Surprise, Body of Evidence, The Next Best Thing) and Worst Supporting Actress for Four Rooms and Die Another Day. She was even awarded Worst Actress of the Century—a Razzie title not held by any other pop diva.
1. Sylvester Stallone – 10 Awards
The king of the Razzies, finally, Sylvester Stallone boasts ten Razzie wins and more than twenty nominations. Movies such as Rhinestone, Rocky IV, and Rambo III have earned him this dubious distinction. Even Stallone’s most beloved roles haven’t been immune to Razzie consideration, so his career is a study in blockbuster success vs. critical failure.
Oscar and Razzie Crossovers
A few of the actors have won both Oscars and Razzies, demonstrating that failure and success can exist together. Tom Hanks, Jared Leto, Ben Affleck, Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, Al Pacino, and Marlon Brando are a few of those who have seen the whole range. Bullock and Berry even took the joke on themselves by showing up to accept their Razzies, gaining sympathizers for their sense of humor.
The Razzies remind us that even Hollywood’s brightest stars trip up from time to time. And from time to time, those trips are iconic. Whether you enjoy cringe-watching or just like seeing major stars get humbled, the Golden Raspberry Awards are still a riotous celebration of Hollywood’s worst.