My Favorite Actors Who Have Never Won An Oscar

Leonardo Dicaprio

Dicaprio has never been in a role that didn’t deserve an Oscar nod. Yes, that is a little exaggerated, but Leo is known for taking on the difficult roles. From his first nomination in 1993 for his role as Arnie, in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Dicaprio has continually pushed his creative limits, taking on roles such as a drug addled high schooler, a runaway conman, a modern Romeo, and a vengeful New Yorker. He earned two more Oscar nods for his role in Blood Diamond and The Aviator. Still under the age of 40, Dicaprio has a long time before he has to succumb to the lifetime achievement award.

Leonardo DiCaprio Nominations

Best Supporting Actor

1993 – As Arnie Grape in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape – Lost to Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive

Best Actor

2004 – As Howard Hughes in The Aviator – Lost to Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray

2006 – As Danny Archer in Blood Diamond – Lost to Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland


Edward Norton

Norton hadn’t done much acting work before he received his first nomination. Primal Fear, in 1996, was Norton’s first major role and it led to his first major nomination. Two years later he would receive his second nod for his powerful work in American History X. Although he hasn’t been nominated since, Norton is still in the beginning stages of his career, with barely a decade under his belt, despite his established body of work.

Edward Norton Nominations

Best Supporting Actor

1996 – As Aaron Stampler in Primal Fear – Lost to Cuba Gooding Jr. as Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire

Best Actor

1998 – As Derek Vinyard in American History X – Lost to Roberto Benigni as Guido Orefice in Life is Beautiful.

Tom Cruise
So maybe Cocktail, Mission Impossible, and Top Gun, weren’t exactly Oscar quality, but the list of Cruise’s quality movies are endless. The Color of Money, Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July. He is a Director’s favorite and one of the top grossing actors of all time. He has had three Oscar nominations, and no wins. As his craziness levels continue to rise, and his box office appeal begins to dwindle, Cruise might have missed out on his Golden Ticket.

Tom Cruise Nominations

Best Supporting Actor

1999 – As Frank T.J. Mackey in Magnolia – Lost to Michael Caine as Dr. Wilbur Larch in The Cider House Rules

Best Actor

1989 – As Ron Kovic in Born on the Fourth of July – Lost to Daniel Day-Lewis as Christy Brown in My Left Foot

1996 – As Jerry Maguire in Jerry Maguire – Lost to Geoffrey Rush as David Helfgott in Shine


Johnny Depp

Depp has done his best to stay out of the limelight, but in recent years, there wasn’t much he could do to avoid being showered with accolades. From the monstrous hit, Pirates of the Caribbean, Depp has earned three nominations. One for being a pirate, one for being an author, and one for being a demon barber. As Depp balances between quirky characters and box office hits, it is only a matter of time until the Oscar shows up at his door.

Johnny Depp Nominations

Best Actor

2003 – As Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean – Lost to Sean Penn as Jimmy Markum in Mystic River

2004 – As Sir James Mathew Barrie in Finding Neverland – Lost to Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in Ray

2007 – As Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd – Lost to Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will be Blood