For a few actors, the Oscars are the dream finale to their career. While for other actors, it seems like a repeat of the same movie – same glittering attire, same cheering, and same walking back to their seats without the coveted golden statue. Fans of the film from everywhere have this reaction annually, “Hey, how can it be that they STILL haven’t got an Oscar?!” The answer to this question is that these ten actors have amassed the highest number of nominations but have never actually won.
10. Michelle Williams, Ed Harris, Willem Dafoe, and Jane Alexander – The Four-Nomination Frustration
At the bottom of the list—but no less deserving—are four performers with four nominations apiece and no Oscars. Michelle Williams has been nominated for everything from Brokeback Mountain to The Fabelmans, but continues to fall short. Ed Harris (Apollo 13, Pollock) has been the perpetual “close but not quite” for decades. Willem Dafoe’s range is from Platoon to The Florida Project, but Sam Rockwell swiped that Oscar away from him. And Jane Alexander’s four nominations during the ’70s and ’80s solidified her legend, even without a win.
9. Mark Ruffalo and Marsha Mason – Always in the Running
Mark Ruffalo is perhaps the internet’s beloved Hulk, but his four supporting actor nominations—most recently for Poor Things—haven’t yet cashed out. Marsha Mason, on the other hand, was an Oscar regular during the ’70s and early ’80s, receiving four nominations within eight years, but never won.
8. Sigourney Weaver, Woody Harrelson, Laura Linney & Company – Triple Nods, Zero Wins
The “three and done” club is surprisingly full. Sigourney Weaver (Aliens, Working Girl), Woody Harrelson (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), and Laura Linney (The Savages) have each had three opportunities but no award to call their own.
7. Saoirse Ronan – The Under-30 Overachiever
Saoirse Ronan is essentially the Meryl Streep of her time, with four nods before she was 30 (Atonement, Brooklyn, Lady Bird, Little Women). Everyone feels it’s a matter of time before she takes home a statuette, but until then, she remains stuck picking up nods like collecting trading cards.
6. Edward Norton – The Master of Missed Opportunities
From Primal Fear to Birdman, Edward Norton has had four nominations, demonstrating himself to be one of the greatest actors of his generation. Yet each Oscar night has come to a close without his announcement being made.
5. Annette Bening – Hollywood’s Almost Queen
Annette Bening boasts five nominations (American Beauty, Nyad) and at least one loss to Hilary Swank, which must hurt. Though her films tend to sweep all the other categories, the acting Oscar continues to be just out of reach for her.
4. Amy Adams – Six Nods, Zero Gold
Amy Adams is the unofficial poster child of contemporary Oscar snubs. With six nominations (Junebug, Vice), she’s done it all, from musicals to hard-hitting dramas. Even her award-winning performances in Arrival and Enchanted couldn’t persuade voters. The streak has gotten so ridiculous that it’s almost an industry meme.
3. Bradley Cooper – Hollywood’s Renaissance Man
Bradley Cooper has 12 nominations spread over acting, directing, writing, and producing, but five are for acting (Silver Linings Playbook, Maestro). As acclimated as he has become, the Academy still hasn’t bestowed upon him the golden nod in the acting category.
2. Peter O’Toole – The Forever Legend
Peter O’Toole’s eight nominations and zero wins became the epitome of Oscar disappointment. The Academy finally rewarded him with an Honorary Award, which he received with his signature humor. His record now stands as a lofty benchmark (or low blow) for today’s snubbed celebrities.
1. Glenn Close – The Reigning Champion of Almost
Eight nominations. No wins. Glenn Close’s CV—Fatal Attraction to The Wife—is acting legend stuff, but still places her in the same camp as O’Toole. Fans are clamoring to see her at last receive that Oscar moment, and for that matter, so are we.
Being “just” a nominee is to become part of an exclusive group of the most revered performers on the planet. But still—one of these years, the Academy’s going to have to get it together. Right?