Twenty Active Stars Who Have Never Been Nominated For An Academy Award
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
It’s still Oscars season here on Films Fatale, and part of that celebration means that we have to recognize some of the flaws as well. There’s no better place to start than pinpointing stars that have been snubbed by the Academy, but these following performers haven’t lost to other nominees: they simply haven’t even been nominated at all. To try and not make this a gargantuan list, I have limited every entry to those stars who are still acting today, so no one from yesteryear that has been snubbed (like Rita Hayworth) or those that have seemingly or blatantly retired (Mia Farrow). These are contemporary performers whose Academy absences I personally find quite shocking. Granted, this list could quickly find itself becoming dated in the near future, especially considering how this list could have easily featured the likes of Kirsten Dunst even last year had I written it sooner. No matter. I want to give these dues anyway. Here are your (supposed-to-be) nominees., in no particular order.
Oscar Isaac
Considering how many acclaimed films and roles he has been a part of, it’s quite frankly shocking that Oscar Isaac has never been nominated in any capacity at the Oscars. Not even for Inside Llewyn Davis? Alright.
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt was considered a lock for The Young Victoria: her big breakthrough. Nothing. What about her fantastic turn as an electrifying rendition of Mary Poppins? Nada. Anything for her SAG award winning turn in A Quiet Place? Nope. Blunt keeps getting disrespected by the Academy.
Tony Leung
This may be a reach, but Tony Leung is one of my own personal favourite actors of all time. The Academy has nominated international performances before, and Leung has been in many of the best of all time. It may not be too surprising — given the limitations of the Oscars — but I’d like to think that Leung is deserving of something.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Looking at the length of Jamie Lee Curtis’ career, and how many different kinds of works she has acted in, you’d think that she would have snagged a nomination somewhere along the way. That is sadly not the case, and it’s quite sad to think about.
Alfred Molina
Alfred Molina often shines as a supporting actor that steals each film he is in, and that usually translates to some sort of Oscars gold. Despite being a part of some acclaimed projects, Molina has yet to be nominated, but he keeps on delivering stellar performances nonetheless.
Rebecca Hall
Rebecca Hall has had a lot of success overseas with the BAFTAs, but hasn’t been recognized by the Academy. I could see her getting some love as a dark horse nominee for numerous films over the years, but I was also hoping she would have gotten some love for her directorial turn after the release of Passing last year (which, need I remind you, also got zero nominations).
Ewan McGregor
One of the most recognizable faces today is that of Ewan McGregor, who has dominated in so many films. Since his breakthrough in Trainspotting, McGregor has had a steady and beloved career ever since. Despite all of this, he hasn’t been nominated even once, which is surprising given his ability to transform and elevate any film he’s in.
Léa Seydoux
This selection is a bit more left field, but I think Léa Seydoux has stood a chance to be nominated for a number of years now, especially via her international works. She also won a Palme d’Or as an actress, which is a feat she holds only with her fellow Blue is the Warmest Colour star Adèle Exarchopoulos, so that should stand for something.
Idris Elba
Despite being a prominent television star, Idris Elba has had his fair share of cinematic achievements that have constantly been predicted to garner his first Academy Award nomination; Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom; Beasts of No Nation; Molly’s Game. Maybe one day.
Jeff Daniels
I flat out think Jeff Daniels is a criminally underrated actor to begin with, but he’s also been a part of some big projects, including the Best Picture winning Terms of Endearment; there’s also his noteworthy work in films like The Purple Rose of Cairo. After his career resurgence starring in the series The Newsroom, we’ve seen him come back in some major roles and films, but we still haven’t seen any nominations yet.
Sarah Paulson
While Sarah Paulson has dominated the small screen, she has also been in enough noteworthy performances in films that you’d think she would have been nominated at least once by now. That unfortunately is not the case.
Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright is the kind of actor that has wound up starring in a number of your favourite films whether you realize it or not, and he should have been recognized for Basquiat alone. I’m hoping one day that he will be given his dues just in general, since I feel like he is slept on for the most part (although his recent, spectacular turn in The French Dispatch certainly introduced him to a whole new audience).
Maggie Cheung
One of the strongest stars of international cinema, Maggie Cheung has been in enough acclaimed works that it would only make sense that she would have been noticed by the Academy at least once. Even though it was less common for performances in non-English films to be nominated back in 1991, her dazzling work in Center Stage alone deserved some sort of acknowledgement.
John Goodman
One of the most mind blowing omissions is John Goodman, who has been a sensational actor for decades. He was a part of two Best Picture winners The Artist and Argo, as well as a number of Coen brothers projects and other acclaimed works, and he himself is beloved for his talents.
Thandiwe Newton
I feel like Thandiwe Newton has had less of a chance to be nominated in recent years, but she certainly had quite a run in the 2000’s — including having arguably the best performance in the Best Picture winner Crash (and one of the sole reasons to watch it) — so you’d think that she would have been a lock for at least a nomination by now.
Paul Dano
There Will Be Blood. Love & Mercy. Little Miss Sunshine. You’d think Paul Dano would have had a single nomination by now, but that simply is not the case. He still has a long road ahead, but the amount of strong performances he’s delivered by now without a nomination still feels wrong.
Ann Dowd
While it’s easy to reflect on Ann Dowd because of the recent snubbing of her performance in Mass, it’s even more disheartening to look back on her entire career and see the amount of brilliant work she has done. Maybe one day she will get the Academy love she deserves as one of the finest character actresses around.
Vincent D’Onofrio
I can admit that Vincent D’Onofrio has starred in his fair share of mediocre works, but he has also done enough great work that him not being nominated isn’t right. At least his chameleon-like transformations deserve something, especially when it’s difficult to pinpoint that it’s him in a number of his performances.
Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson is a more recent star on this list, but I feel like she should have had something by now. When the lack of recognition for her work in Creed caused an outcry, I suspected that she would have been nominated shortly afterward. With Sorry to Bother You, Sylvie’s Love, and Passing released, we still have yet to see her be recognized by the Academy.
Guy Pearce
I’m wrapping up with someone who could have been nominated as early as the late 90s: Guy Pearce. He’s been in enough acclaimed films with unrecognizable performances that it would only make sense that he’d have a couple of nominations by now. Nope. Not even one.
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.