Let’s face it, the Oscars can be as unpredictable as they are glamorous. Every year, some actors leave with that golden statue in hand, while others, despite breathtaking performances, are passed over. Some names are so synonymous with “snubbed” that it’s almost a running joke amongst Hollywood circles. So grab some popcorn, because here’s a countdown of the 10 most shocking Oscar-less actors that probably deserve at least one statue.
10. Steve Buscemi
If you’ve watched any Coen Brothers film, prestige TV, or indie classic over the past three decades, you’ve seen Steve Buscemi shine. And yet…no Oscar nods. While he has received Emmy and Golden Globe recognition, the Academy has largely bypassed him. That’s some serious snub energy.
9. Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen needs no introduction: Gandalf, Magneto, and a stage legend. There are numerous Olivier Awards in his name, not to mention a Tony. Oscars? Just two nominations for Gods and Monsters and The Fellowship of the Ring-and no wins. Still, his legacy is untouchable.
8. Sigourney Weaver
Battling aliens, headlining powerhouse dramas, and owning the sci-fi world haven’t earned Sigourney Weaver an Oscar. She has been nominated a whopping three times-including that double nod in 1989 for Gorillas in the Mist and Working Girl, yet she’s never taken home the gold. Sci-fi royalty, but Oscar-free.
7. Ralph Fiennes
Seven nominations? Almost. Seven Horcruxes? Definitely. Ralph Fiennes has dazzled in Schindler’s List, The English Patient, and more, but the Oscar has eluded him so far. Will his upcoming projects finally tip the scales in his favor? Fingers crossed.
6. Michelle Williams
Five nominations, zero wins. Michelle Williams has given powerhouse performances from Brokeback Mountain to The Fabelmans, yet the Academy keeps letting her slip through the cracks. At this point, it almost feels intentional.
5. Amy Adams
Six nominations, still waiting for her first Oscar. From Junebug to Vice, Amy Adams has proved her range time and time again, and yet that gold statue still seems just out of reach. Fans everywhere are saying, “Enough already!”
4. Annette Bening
Annette Bening is so regularly brilliant, but still Oscar-free despite five nominations; most recently for Nyad. She’s lost out to legends: Whoopi Goldberg, Hilary Swank, Natalie Portman, and Emma Stone. Meanwhile, her husband Warren Beatty never won an acting Oscar either – talk about a pair of legendary snubs.
3. Bradley Cooper
Twelve nominations for acting, writing, directing, and producing, and no Oscar for Cooper. Starting from Silver Linings Playbook to Maestro, the Academy continues to tease him with nods but never delivers the statue. It almost gets to a point where it’s impressive how long he has been in the “almost” club.
2. Glenn Close
Eight nominations, no wins: Glenn Close wears the crown of queen of Oscar snubs. From Fatal Attraction to The Wife, she’s delivered unforgettable performances again and again, yet the Academy keeps missing the mark. At this point, a special “Lifetime Snub” trophy might be the only fair solution.
1. Edward Norton
The range of Edward Norton is undeniably vast, with nominations spanning four decades-from Primal Fear and American History X to Birdman and A Complete Unknown. Despite four nominations, he’s never claimed the Oscar. With his skill, versatility, and consistency, Norton arguably is one of the most deserving actors never to have won.
There you have it, folks: ten actors who have wowed audiences, critics, and peers alike-and yet the Oscars have somehow managed to overlook them. Sometimes the Academy simply doesn’t get it right.