
For some, this can happen for multiple years in a row, even over decades-long careers. While Hollywood may not ever give them their due, we will! Take a look at the most Oscar-worthy actors (and a few directors) who continue to be Oscar-less!
Mia Farrow
This one is a little suspicious. Did you know that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has nominated Mia Farrow a staggering nine times? But the Academy is having none of it.

Even after a bunch of Woody Allen hits and a mesmerizing performance in "Rosemary's Baby," Farrow's little golden statue still eludes her.
Jake Gyllenhall
Jake Gyllenhall has been famously snubbed on two occasions. We imagine that it must hurt to get so close only to have it all disappear in one 'Swift' moment (wink).

His nomination for "Brokeback Mountain" didn't take him all the way, losing out to George Clooney for "Syriana". It happened again for the film "Night Crawler."
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams will always move us, her sunken eyes and often tender performances have somehow gone overlooked by the academy.

This may come as a surprise, even with films such as "Blue Valentine," "My Week With Marilyn," "Brokeback Mountain," and "Manchester by the Sea." She did at least take home a Golden Globe and a SAG for "Fosse/Verdon."
John Malkovich
While no Oscars currently sit on his shelves, John Malkovich can take comfort in the fact that he has won so many other awards including a SAG and an Emmy.

His nominations include his roles in "Places in the Heart" and "In the Line of Fire." Truthfully, we're surprised he only has two.
Michael Keaton
He's had a long and successful career. Twice. Keaton was a hit in the 80s, went on a lengthy hiatus, and came back to Hollywood a nominated actor for his role in "Birdman."

Sadly he didn't, losing out to Eddie Redmayne. Perhaps he'll disappear for a second time, come back, and actually end up winning an Oscar. Crazier things of happened! Whatever the case, Keaton deserves the gold!
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp's career has been a mix of the strange and offbeat, with the high stakes action. The actor's string of successful movies put him in good standing with the academy, and with films like "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Finding Neverland," and "Sweeney Todd," he's been a solid Oscar contender.

Unfortunately, his brush with the gold was brief and Depp lost out in the end. Recently his career has been taken for a spin making it unlikely that he'll ever get that win in the near future.
Thelma Ritter
Thelma Ritter was an icon in the Golden Age of cinema who perfectly embodied the tough working-class gal. Ritter was revered for performances and racked up six nominations for her films such as "All About Eve" "Pillow Talk," New Girl in Town" and more but never saw an Oscar for any of them.

She did at least get a Tony for Best Actress for her performance in the musical "New Girl in Town." Her brilliant and carefully acted role as McCarthy stole audiences' hearts.
Amy Adams
A true travesty of Hollywood, Amy Adams should have shelves of Oscars by now, but alas, those six nominations are so the closest she's ever gotten.

With a string of critically acclaimed performances in films like "Doubt," "The Fighter," "Sunshine Cleaning," not to mention her phenomenal work in HBO's "Sharp Objects," Adams delivers every time but sadly sees no Oscar in sight.
Jeff Daniels
We don't like to knock other awards on this list. A Golden Globe is something to behold and Jeff Daniels has earned four nominations. He's also won an Emmy and endless praise for his performances, especially his role in the "The Newsroom."

But Daniels has yet to nab the coveted Oscars Award. Maybe one day he'll surprise us. Who's to say?
Spike Lee
When the Academy overlooked Spike Lee's iconic film "Do the Right Thing," it stirred up quite an outrage. The no-nomination streak continued for quite some time but thankfully his screenplay "BlacKkKlansman" did win an Oscar.

Though Lee has gotten his accolades, he has yet to be recognized for what he does best, and that is directing. Perhaps with the many changes happening in Hollywood, the director will one day see his Oscar glory.
Richard Burton
Today regarded as an utter legend, in his day, Richard Burton was sadly overlooked. The Shakespearean actor may have at times not been taken seriously for his periodic epics like "Cleopatra" and "The Robe" but was certainly was Oscar material.

The actor at least should have gotten the gold for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" but in the end lost out. Looks like those six nominations never got him there, but remembered he will be!
Alfred Hitchcock
It might be 'horror'fying for fans to discover that the grandfather of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchock never actually won a single Oscar for any of his films. Today they're viewed as classics, but back then his films did not receive the sense of recognition that other Oscar-winning directors received at the time.

He was not completely ignored however and was nominated for Best Director five times for "Rebecca" (1940), "Lifeboat" (1944), "Spellbound" (1945), "Rear Window" (1954), and "Psycho" (1960).
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder created some comedy masterpieces like "Young Frankenstein" and "The Producers." As a brilliant writer, he completely shaped the form. As such a significant player in American film, the man only had two Oscar nominations to show for himself.

With that said, the late comedian and director does not need the statue to show us his worth!
Kevin Bacon
The man has appeared in over 70 films! Surely one of those performances is Oscar-worthy? "JFK?" "Appollo 13?" Not even "Mystic River!" At least in our books, there's no reason why Kevin Bacon shouldn't be an Oscar winner.

He does at least have just about every other award under the sun including a Golden Globe, a Saturn, an Emmy, Critic's Choice, Independent Spirit Award, and our favorite the MTV Villain Award.
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot got more than enough promise for bombshell looks but clearly not enough for acting. The actress and singer starred in countless films and musicals but never got her nomination for an Academy Award.

She also singlehandedly created a style that was envied around the globe, making 60s French chic one of the coolest aesthetics to ever exist.
Winona Ryder
Nineties It Girl, Winona Ryder grew into a serious actress with films like "Girl, Interrupted," "The Age of Innocence" and "Little Women."

Unfortunately, after being nominated for two consecutive years "The Age of Innocence" and "Little Women," Winona has proved to have what it takes!
Samuel L. Jackson
Can you believe that Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in over 125 films and not once did he win the little golden figurine?! In fact, he has only scored one nomination and that was in 1995 for his role in "Pulp Action."

That's a rather disappointing fact and while the actor doesn't necessarily go in the box of typically "Oscar-bait" films, he still gives stellar performances each and every time.
Ed Harris
Ed Harris has no doubt been recognized for his fantastic performances many times, and four by the Academy for the films "Apollo 13," "The Truman Show," "Pollack," and "The Hours."

But even with a string of performances that are Oscar-worthy, none saw the gold. We suppose this Hollywood great is in for the wait, if he cares about waiting, that is!
Alan Rickman
A true loss, Alan Rickman proved to be one of the finest actors out there, though an English actor, he certainly made his mark in Hollywood being memorably villainous.

Sadly he left us too soon and never saw an Oscar win nor a nomination, but the actor will always be remembered for his great talents.
Noami Watts
After her two Oscar nominations for "21 Grams" (2004) and then "The Impossible" (2015) the actress looked like she was coming close to the big win.

Unfortunately, it's been a while since that name has popped up in the context of Oscar buzz, and we're simply not happy about it.
Jamie Lee Curtis
She has won Golden Globes, but Jamie Lee Curtis, the scream queen of the 80s has not seen any Oscar glory, not even a nomination. And she's been acting since she was 20 years old!

That being said, we still love all other performances, whether she's a horror heroine in the "Halloween" franchise or a stuffy mom in "Freaky Friday."
Salma Hayek
Even though she wowed audiences with her artistic masterpiece "Frida" and has continued to do so with countless other films, Hayek has never actually walked away with one.

The ultimate loss was probably due to some serious competition from the phenomenal actresses in "The Hours."
Cary Grant
As Hollywood's leading man between the 30s and 60s, Cary Grant starred in countless big hitters. But the position of a leading man can be a precarious one. Too popular to be taken seriously, the actor's great skills were often overlooked by the Academy, even with near-perfect performances in "The Philadelphia Story" and "North by Northwest."

He was granted an honorary Oscar in 1970 for his significant contribution to the world of cinema, which we think was a really good call. One cannot look back at cinema and not talk about Cary Grant.
Paul Thomas Anderson
Another Oscar-winning director with no Oscars to his name. When will the Academy learn? Paul Thomas Anderson was behind the cult hit "Boogie Nights" as well as the brilliant "There Will Blood" which earned its star Daniel Day-Lewis an Oscar but sadly not its director.

We're sure that there will be an Oscar down the line some time, the man is an immense talent!
Annette Bening
Annette Bening got her start in theater in the 80s before she went on to treat us with beautiful performances in countless films. Yet somehow, she hasn't made the Oscar cut.

The actress was nominated for "The Grifters," "American Beauty," "Being Julia," and "The Kids Are All Right," wowing us in each and every one of these performances. Let's hope that the next nomination turns into an actual win.
Christopher Nolan
It's only in recent years the comic book films received such critical acclaim with the likes of Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix nabbing up Oscars. But it appears that the directors aren't getting enough attention.

Though Christopher Nolan is known for far more. Just about every movie he's made is Oscar bait. Yet, the man year after year keeps going home empty-handed. “Memento,” “Inception” and “Dunkirk,” still nothing.
Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr is another example of a great actress who led an illustrious, yet Oscar-less career. She appeared in some of the most famous films in cinema history, giving noteworthy performances in films such as "The King and I" From Here to Eternity" "The Innocents" and many more.

Kerr received six nods from the Academy but only actually awarded her with an honorary Oscar in 1994, in an attempt to right a decades-long wrong. While it's not the same, it is something!
Meg Ryan
If ever there was a rom-com Oscar-worthy performance, Meg Ryan gave it to us. The actress didn't even get a nomination for her performance in "When Harry Met Sally." Her famous diner scene deserves one alone.

Meg Ryan was one of the most famous actresses of the 1990s but the "Sleepless in Seattle" star has never scored an Academy Award nomination.
Richard Gere
Veteran actor Richard Gere has not been so lucky either when it comes to the Oscars but has actually had little more luck on the Golden Globes side, having been nominated four times and winning once.

Gere is going to have to come out with something really special if he wants to make it into the Oscar ranks, though it looks as if that ship has sailed.
Liam Neeson
It was 1994 and Liam Neeson wowed us in "Schinder's List" in the titular role. His career-defining role was a shoo-in for an Oscar, not to mention the film itself was an utter masterpiece. Alas, Neeson never saw that Oscar, causing quite an upset among viewers and critics.

The actor has gone on to star in countless films, cashing it in big-time with high action hits like the Taken franchise, so perhaps Oscar isn't in the books. Perhaps it's less of a concern for the actor these days.
James McAvoy
James McAvoy has been attached to some very critically acclaimed films. The 2007 film "Atonement" was nominated for a total of seven awards, one of them being Best Picture.

There was also "The Last King of Scotland" and "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" but our man McAvoy didn't get to thank producers and co-stars upon that coveted stage.
Ralph Fiennes
Viewed as one of the great Hollywood injustices, Ralph Fiennes lost his shot at Oscar glory (nominated for his role in "Schindler's List") when Tommy Lee Jones beat him to it with the movie "The Fugitive."

While he doesn't have an Oscar, Fiennes does have a BAFTA, which according to some is more prestigious, a Tony, and a whole host of European film festival awards.
Kim Novak
Kim Novak should have gotten that Oscar goodness for her role in Alfred Hitchock's "Vertigo" but unfortunately didn't make it.

She did however a Golden Globe for "Most Promising Newcomer" in 1955.
Bill Murray
It's a sad fact but comedians rarely make it to Oscar land, if anything their talents are reserved for the role of host or hostess, entertaining all those dramatic thespians.

But some comedians deserve the gold themselves! Bill Murray is a perfect example of that. He received a nomination for "Lost in Translation" but that's it. We believe his vast body of comedic work deserves an Oscar.
Harrison Ford
We're sure there are many Harrison Ford fans out there (ladies, we're talking to you) who resent this fact. The actor has played some iconic roles throughout his career but unfortunately, his performances as Indiana Jones and Han Solo didn't speak to the Academy.

He came pretty close in 1986 with "Witness" but in the end, just didn't make it all the way, losing to the late William Hurt.
Will Smith
We're all rooting for Will Smith! The man has already earned himself two Oscar noms for "The Pursuit of Happyness," and "Ali" and was famously snubbed in 2015 for his role in "Concussion." He's also one of the people's favorite actors who can do action and comedy in two swift takes.

Is there an Academy Award coming in the future? Who knows, perhaps Smith's masterpiece has yet to appear. But who cares, these days it looks like he's goofing it up in full zaddy glory.
Angela Basset
Angela Basset has given us some Oscar deserving roles. In fact, we could name at least three off the top of our heads (not counting her nominated role for "What's Love Got to Do With It".)

Aside from her memorable portraying the iconic Tina Turner, Angela Basset gave brilliant performances in "Malcolm X," Sunshine State," "Akeela and the Bee," and more.
Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas is actually considered to be one of the greatest American actors of all time yet somehow he has only racked up three nominations and not one win.

With stellar performances in "Champion and Lust for Life," "Paths of Glory," Spartacus," and more, Douglas has received some high praise, but never an Oscar. He did, however, receive a lifetime achievement award from the Academy as well as a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart is another example of a fine actor who hasn't gotten his due. He has not even been nominated for an Academy Award.

He was, however, nominated for a Tony for his performance in the Broadway revival of "Macbeth." Professor X has got the goods but has yet to get that Oscar glory.
Marylin Monroe
Sigh, Marylin Monroe was another example of a Hollywood gem who was never fully appreciated during her time. Sure, these days the actress is praised for her perfect comedic timing, fine acting, and her love of her literature, but showbiz did not give her her due.

Perhaps the Academy could somewhat redeem themselves by honoring her with a posthumous recognition, but alas, we have yet to see that.
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin captivated some of the world's earliest audiences of cinema, evolving from heartfelt silent films to legendary talkies. It's no doubt, the man was a genius. But it's safe to say that he did not get enough credit. In fact, he was only nominated for "The Great Dictator."

In Hollywood's defense, they did give him two honorary awards, but it was for the musical score of the film. It's something, but we believe Chaplin deserves more.
Donald Sutherland
With about half a century in the biz, Donald Sutherland is an iconic and legendary actor. The veteran star has been in countless films, many of them critical successes.

He's gotten many Golden Globes, but oddly, throughout his extremely long career, not one Oscar nomination. Baffling, right?
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain has so far been nominated twice, one for Best Actress in "Zero Dark Thirty" and again for Best Supporting Actress in "The Help" but lost to Jennifer Lawrence for "Silver Linings Playbook."

A respectable loss! Perhaps there is an Oscar in sight from her role in"Scenes From a Marriage"? And no, we don't mean Oscar Isaac.
Isabella Rossellini
She's the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Ingrid Bergman and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Roberto Rosselini, but those genes only took her so far.

While Isabella Rosellini is a fantastic actress, she somehow hasn't been able to score an Oscar nomination, let alone an award. Perhaps she's more popular in European circles.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon was once Hollywood's golden boy. He burst onto the scene with his bestie Ben in "Good Will Hunting" when he was about 25 years old, winning an Oscar for his screenplay. But when it comes to acting, Damon has been less fortunate.

Having been nominated for "The Martian," "Invictus," and "Good Will Hunting," the A-lister hasn't seen a single win. While he's not an Oscar winner, the actor is certainly no underdog.
Scarlett Johansson
The mightily talented as well as the highest-paid actress in the biz has starred in a string of countless successful films from MCU blockbusters to indie sensations.

But the actress has no Oscars and only very recently did she manage to earn herself two noms with "Jojo Rabbit" and "Marriage Story" (in the same year.) Could this be a sign that things are getting closer?
Glenn Close
What Glenn Close has won is the record for most Oscar nominations in an acting category without a single win. Seems a little unfair right? The actress is one of the most highly regarded actresses of her generation and has received the Oscar nod eight times between 1983 and 2021.

But the legendary actress is completely unfazed and does not see herself as a loser. In an interview with AP News, Close commented on her perceived "Oscar loss" saying "you're there, you're five people honored for the work that you've done by your peers. What's better than that?" Agreed!
David Oyelowo
The British actor has received enough accolades to comfort him for not getting an Oscar (even though he should have gotten one for "Selena.")

With a Critics' Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards to his name, Oyelowo seems to be in good standing. Still, an Oscar couldn't hurt.
Robert Redford
We're a little stumped here. It's hard to believe that Robert Redford, one of Hollywood's greats, has never seen an Oscar win as an actor.

With that said, he has won Best Director twice for "Quiz Show" and "Ordinary People." At least that!
Viggo Mortensen
He's been nominated for "Green Book," Eastern Promises," and "Captain Fantastic," but Viggo Mortensen has yet to make that gushy speech on an Academy Award stage. The actor has taken some slack from the industry for being a little different.

He's not exactly gossip fodder, living in Madrid, and working when he wants. By all accounts that sounds awesome, but Hollywood can be funny. Needless to say, we're sure he's not too hung about the whole thing, and with having his hand at massive blockbusters like "Lord of the Rings," popularity is not something he ought to be too concerned about.
Edward Norton
Edward Norton's career consists of impressive films; "Primal Fear," "American History X, "Birdman," and much more. According to some Hollywood insiders, however, the actor has built up a rather difficult reputation in recent years.

Could it be because of that? We wonder! Hollywood is known for primadonnas but perhaps he crossed a line?
Toshiro Mifune
Toshiro Mifune has been dubbed Japan's (combined mix of) Marlon Brando and Clint Eastwood, which sounds pretty impressive.

And even if you're not a big consumer of foreign films, you probably know him as the star of "Seven Samurai," and "Rashomon." Needless to say, this Japanese gem never saw an Oscar, though we're convinced an actor of that stature did not need the Hollywood praise.
John Goodman
John Goodman should have won an Oscar by now or at least been nominated for "The Big Lebowski," "Barton Fink, "Flight," and let's be honest, for far more. Sadly that was not the case! Ain't that the way the cookie crumbles.

The actor has become a legend in both TV shows and films and his Big Lebowski character has been ingrained in American pop culture. Only a fantastic actor can do that.
Bradley Cooper
With top-notch films like "Silver Linings Playbook," "American Sniper," and "American Hustle," Cooper showed us that he's far more than a bankable bro-movie hunk. The man can seriously act. The Oscar buzz was strong with the film "Star is Born" and audiences were curious to see it play out.

Going both behind and in front of the camera, Cooper told us the story of a troubled country musician who mentors (and falls in love with) a struggling young singer. The heartfelt musical drama rocked everyone's world but sadly, the actor lost to Rami Malek.
Sam Elliot
With his deep voice and burly delivery, Sam Elliot has Oscar winner written all over his face. But, unfortunately, that is not the case. Elliot has only received an Oscar nomination for one film, "A Star Is Born," in the category for Best Supporting Actor.

It was a close call, but ultimately he lost to Mahershala Ali for the movie "Green Book." While Ali's win was deserving, we would love to see an Oscar win in the future.
Pedro Almodovar
Foreign films are always tough contenders in Oscar land, but when it comes to Pedro Almodovar, his films hold a special exception. The Spanish director has actually had his brush with Oscar glory with two of his films getting the award, one for Best Foreign Language Film and the other for Best Original Screenplay.

But when it comes to Best Director, however, he has yet to see one. We suppose if Almodovar's films were in English and he was sitting among the Spielbergs and Scorseses, then there isn't a doubt that he would have nabbed up several.
Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci got his due in 2010 for his chilling role in "Lovely Bones", well, almost. Unfortunately, it was only a nomination and he lost out to Christopher Waltz.

We will admit if there is going to be someone to lose to, at least it was Waltz for his performance in "Django."
Albert Finney
The late English actor Albert Finney was snubbed famously numerous times at the Oscars. As a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he had talent, but luck, perhaps not. Finney received five Oscar nominations, among them "Under the Volcano"(1984), "Murder on the Orient Express" (1974), and "Erin Brockovich" (2000.)

His legacy is the great performances he gave in some iconic films, even if he never got the Oscars to show for it.
Sigourney Weaver
The three-time Oscar nominee demands your respect. Her versatility can be seen throughout her body of work with films, specifically her Oscar-nominated films; "Aliens," "Working Girl," and "Gorillas in the Mist."

Alas, the golden statue has eluded Weaver. But we're not giving up, we believe our girl Sig will eventually do the Oscar victory dance!
Woody Harrelson
He's certainly the oddball of Hollywood, one of the few actors who never really fit into any mold, but a brilliant actor? Of course! Woody has played some interesting characters and racked up quite a few noms.

His noteworthy performances include "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," "The People vs. Larry Flynt," and "The Messenger." We'll continue to root for him.
Steve Buschemi
He's our favorite character, slipping into any role under the sun. But Steve Buschemi has never even gotten himself a nomination. Truly an outrage.

His television work, on the other hand, has earned him some sold critical acclaim with shows like "Boardwalk Empire," and "The Sopranos." He's also gotten numerous Emmys and Golden Globes.
Laura Linney
Laura Linney is definitely everyone's favorite actress! We loved her on "Ozark," and we can't forget her fantastic performances in all her Oscar-worthy films.

Her nominations for roles in "The Savages," "Kinsey," and "You Can Count on Me" were outstanding but unfortunately not good enough to take home the gold. Who are we kidding? Sometimes it just is a popularity contest.
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor started out as a scrawny Scott and slowly became a Hollywood leading man. Well, he's still a Scott; just no longer scrawny.

The super talented actor can dance and sing too but sadly has not yet reaped the fruits of all his accomplishments!
Robert Downey Jr.
Perhaps as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors, Robert Downey Jr. is less concerned for Oscar wins than his fellow actors. Still, we're sure it's a nice feeling for Iron Man to take home that little gold man.

He came close with his 1993 performance in "Chaplin" and again for his role in "Tropic Thunder" in 2008, (an unusual choice) but not close enough.
James Dean
James Dean was taken from us far too soon at age 24 but even in his short career, the actor gave us some memorable performances. Sadly, he never saw an Oscar for anything of them.

While he may have gotten one a few years done the line, the Academy never granted him a posthumous honorary award as they have done with others.
Claire Danes
She's certainly everyone's favorite TV star as everyone loves "Homeland" and she's also starred in a string of fantastic films, but Claire Danes is empty-handed when it comes to Oscar awards.

When it comes to Golden Globes and Emmys however, that's a different story.
Helena Bonham Carter
The phenomenal actress who floats between American and British roles has a decent two nominations to her name. Her first one was her 1998 role in "The Wings of a Dove" and her second, in 1998, in "The King's Speech."

We do predict an Oscar one day — the woman just can't go much longer without one!
Danny Glover
We know that the "Lethal Weapon" films aren't exactly films fit for Academy Awards but Danny Glover did give an outstanding performance in "The Color Purple."

Unfortunately, even acting alongside the great Oprah Winfrey (she has magical fairy dust) the man still did not score even a single nomination. For shame.
Michelle Pfeiffer
We haven't seen Michelle Pfeiffer in a while, but that doesn't mean we've forgotten her memorable performances.

Films such as "Dangerous Liaisons" and the "The Fabulous Baker Boys" have earned the actress Oscar nominations but sadly not a win.
Sir Ian McKellen
The man has been knighted by her majesty the queen herself but has not received the honor of thanking the Academy for an Oscar.

His two nominations include his 1998 role in "Gods and Monsters" and his memorable role as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Looks like it's Hollywood's loss!
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe is an old favorite and has starred in dozens of movies for as long as we can remember. From his Oscar-nominated performance in as far back as 1986 as the idealistic sergeant in "Platoon," to his role in the cinematic beauty "Lighthouse," Dafoe exemplifies versatility.

The actor came close for his role as Vincent in "At Eternity's Gate," "Shadow of the Vampire," and "The Florida Project." Unfortunately, he never took home the gold. Whether or not he will one day hold that little statue in his hands doesn't really matter. We know he's great!
Peter O' Toole
It happens every generation or so, a brilliant actor comes along and is recognized for all their greatness. They sit the annual event and hear their name get called out as a nominee, year after year, and...nothing.

Peter O' Toole is a perfect example of that. After eight nominations, he still did not take home the gold. All of this over a roughly 40-year acting career. He did at least score an Honorary award.
Emily Blunt
Just like her character (aptly named Emily) in "The Devil Wears Prada" she should have been the one to go to Paris and get all the glory.

In this case, when we say Paris, we mean an Academy Award! Her performance in "A Quiet Place" was also outstanding, alas Blunt, putting it bluntly, needs her Oscar because her not having one seems unfair.
Tim Burton
Okay, we know Tim Burton is not an actor but we feel his name deserves a mention. The visionary director has given us some fantastically memorable films, yet Hollywood hasn't given him the right credit yet.

Is he too strange for Hollywood? Too dark? We're not sure, but it seems that Tim Burton is impossible to categorize so we'll put him in the category of great talents who deserve an Oscar.
Tom Cruise
It's kind of crazy but, yes, Tom Cruise has received three nominations and never a win. Two of them for best actor for "Fourth of July" and of course, "Jerry Maguire" and the third for Best Supporting Actor in "Magnolia."

As one of Hollywood's biggest actors, it's unfortunate that he hasn't really come close to it. While still a huge name, Cruise has seemed to retire himself to the occasional blockbuster and less Oscar bait.
Clint Eastwood
It became clear that the moment Clint Eastwood sat in the director's chair where his true talents lay. We're not saying he's a bad actor, the man has been acting since the 50s all the way to the present day, but he has won four Oscars as a director and producer and zero as an actor.

He has at least gotten two noms, one for "Unforgiven" and another for "Million Dollar Baby."
Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow went from European arthouse cinema (a favorite of Igmar Bergman) in the earlier years of his career to starring in a string of Hollywood classics like "The Exorcist," "Flash Gordon," "Minority Report," and "Shutter Island."

Not many European actors have that sort of flex. The actor was nominated for "Pelle the Conquerer," "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" and probably should have won for "Hanna and Her Sisters."
Jim Carrey
If the Academy viewed comedies the way they do heartfelt dramas, then Jim Carrey would be the Meryl Streep of the category. His comedy chops are truly masterful.

He's even flexed his dramatic skills in films like "Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind," "Man on the Moon," and "Kidding." Thankfully, he has six Golden Globe noms to show for himself.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan is still a young talent so perhaps we're getting ahead of ourselves, but with performances in a list of critically acclaimed list of films, it feels like we ought to have seen one by now.

To be fair, she has already racked up four nominations for "Lady Bird," "Atonement," "Brooklyn," and "Little Women." Do we predict a future Meryl or future Glenn? Time will tell!