The Oscars, often considered the pinnacle of achievement in the film industry, have seen countless stars take home the coveted golden statue. However, there are several A-list celebrities who, despite their immense talent and critical acclaim, have never won an Academy Award. These actors and actresses have graced the screen in unforgettable performances, yet for various reasons, they have never walked away with an Oscar. Here are nine celebrities who have surprisingly never won an Academy Award.
1. Amy Adams
Amy Adams is widely regarded as one of the most talented actresses of her generation, yet she has never won an Oscar despite being nominated six times. Known for her versatility in films like American Hustle, Arrival, and Junebug, Adams has earned universal praise for her performances. However, each of her nominations has ended in defeat, with some critics even questioning how such an accomplished actress could have been overlooked.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio
Before his 2016 win for The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio became the poster child for Oscar snubs. With multiple nominations for films like Titanic, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Aviator, DiCaprio had long been considered one of the best actors in Hollywood without an Oscar to show for it. His eventual win was met with overwhelming applause, but for years, fans and critics alike were baffled by his lack of recognition.
3. Glenn Close
Glenn Close is another actress who has earned multiple Oscar nominations but has yet to win. With a career spanning decades, she has delivered exceptional performances in films such as Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, and The Wife. Close has been nominated eight times, making her one of the most-nominated actresses in Academy history without a win. Her string of losses has sparked a mix of admiration for her work and frustration over her lack of recognition.
4. Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt was long considered one of Hollywood’s most talented and popular actors, yet it wasn’t until 2020 that he finally won his first Oscar. Although he had been nominated before, his win for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was his first. Prior to this, Pitt had been in numerous acclaimed films such as Fight Club, Se7en, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, making his Oscar win a long-overdue moment in his career.
5. Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp, known for his iconic roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands, has been nominated for an Oscar three times but has never taken home the prize. Despite being one of the most recognizable and versatile actors in Hollywood, Depp’s distinct style and eccentric characters have never quite won over the Academy voters when it comes to the Best Actor category.
6. Edward Norton
Edward Norton, known for his roles in Fight Club, American History X, and Birdman, is one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. With three Academy Award nominations under his belt, Norton’s impressive body of work has earned him the respect of his peers and critics, yet he has never secured a win. His career continues to be marked by powerful performances, but the Oscar has eluded him so far.
7. Scarlett Johansson
Despite being one of the most successful and talented actresses of her generation, Scarlett Johansson has never won an Academy Award. She has been nominated twice—for her roles in Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit—but has yet to win. Johansson’s wide-ranging career, from action films to deeply emotional dramas, has earned her universal acclaim, but an Oscar remains out of reach for now.
8. Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise, known for his roles in Top Gun, Jerry Maguire, and the Mission: Impossible franchise, has long been a dominant force in Hollywood. Though he has been nominated for three Academy Awards, he has never won. Despite being one of the most successful and beloved actors in the industry, Cruise has failed to secure that elusive Oscar victory.
9. Will Smith
Will Smith, whose career spans blockbuster hits like Independence Day, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Ali, has only won one Academy Award, and it was for his role in King Richard (2022). However, despite multiple nominations for his performances in films like The Pursuit of Happyness and Ali, Smith’s previous attempts to win an Oscar were unsuccessful, making his win in 2022 a long-overdue recognition of his talent.
These nine celebrities represent some of the most talented and accomplished figures in Hollywood, yet they have all faced surprising snubs at the Academy Awards. While their lack of Oscars may seem perplexing, each of them has continued to build impressive careers and earn the love and admiration of audiences worldwide.
