Top 5 Actors Who Haven't Won An Oscar

I was going to write a review of 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', which was released today, yet sadly my local cinema wasn't showing it (which destroyed me to a huge emotional extent). So instead, I decided on the spot just to do a list of talented actors who have surprisingly never won an Oscar. I touched this topic last week in my other article about the Oscars, so I just thought I should explore it further. Clearly there are hundreds of incredible actors who have not bagged an Academy Award, but I've tried to narrow it down to the top 5...

5. Edward Norton

  Eddie Norton is a man with an extremely pleasant nature, but also a sensational yet unrecognised acting career. He has stared in many cult thrillers, his most know being 'Fight Club', 'American History X' and his brilliant debut 'Primal Fear'. Norton's performances can be relatable to stirring to hilarious, and I find that it's insane how he has never won an Oscar award.

4. Albert Finney

  This British treasure has won many BAFTAS, Golden Globes and Emmys, and has been nominated for an Oscar five times, but still hasn't won one. He has received great credit for his roles in 'Murder on the Orient Express', 'Under the Volcano' and 'The Dresser', making even the coldest of souls seem likable in his completely outstanding performances. Thankfully, even in his late 70s he's still working today.

 

3. Leonardo DiCaprio

In these days, Leonardo DiCaprio seems to be everyone's favourite non-Oscar winning actor, and that's very understandable. He's been in many highly acclaimed films like 'Titanic', 'Blood Diamond' and 'Django Unchained', and gives thrilling, powerful performances in each of his roles. Having been nominated for an Academy Award 3 times without a win, it's easy to see how people get very very frustrated when this talent is yet to win. 

2. Gary Oldman

  This cinematic shapeshifter has played almost every role imaginable. From a drug dealer, to a punk rock star, to a wizard's godfather, to a British interlligence agent, it's hard to find one role he can't play. By vividly expressing emotion and personality in each if his characters, Oldman has gained the status as one of the best actors of his time, yet with still no Oscars.

1. Peter O'Toole 

  In my last post, I talked about the talent of the tragically deceased Peter O'Toole; the man with the nominations but never the award. He has starred in highly claimed films such as 'Lawrence of Arabia', 'Becket' and 'The Lion in Winter'. With striking looks, a memorable voice, bundles of talent, and a 60 year career, he has been nominated for an Academy Award a record breaking 8 times, yet has never once seized it, which I think is truly an abomination.

Honourable Mentions: Johnny Depp, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Amy Adams, Ewan McGregor & Julianne Moore

- Hayley

Are the Oscars a true reflection of quality in the film industry?

 



 .Picture this. Sparkling smiles. Camera flashes. Glittering celebs walking down a long red carpet... We’re at the Oscars, the most glamorous award show in the world. A fabulous celebration of great actors, directors, and films. Where stunning women can show off their outfits and dashing men can compete for the ‘Best Leading Actor’ award; this is surely one of the best ways of showing true quality in the film industry. Or is it? 

  The Academy Awards, or Oscars, started in 1928; since then they have been held in America annually, and will take place on the 2nd of March this year. It is a ceremony which is gives out awards of statuettes to high achievers in film. Indeed, many people think this is a wonderful event, although it does have bad sides, many bad sides.

  Sure, this event can be an entertaining celebration of film, although on another hand, one can interoperate it to be a fake over-glamorised event, which only focuses on star’s looks and popularity rather than their talent. When journalists from glossy magazines write article upon article full of sentences like ‘Who wore the nicest outfit at the Oscars?’ with backchat and useless gossip, which actually just humiliates actors. The ceremony may just be a way in which designers can earn money when stars are seen wearing their clothes when walking down the red carpet. Dress sense can actually become competitive at the Oscars, as stars may just focus on wearing the most dazzling, jaw-dropping outfit at the ceremony. Maybe this whole event is just based on who did the winner of the leading actress’ hair and makeup, than actually focusing on the award they’ve won. A great celebration of the film industry indeed.

  The award show can also be extremely biased. It tends to usually reward the big blockbusters which have been released, and although they might’ve earned lots of money and filled many cinemas, that doesn’t necessary mean they are high quality films. Because of this, it means that some people may just want to make a big, successful film just so they can get a reward during ‘Oscar session’. Take this year’s nominee for example; American Hustle (which was released suspiciously close to the night of the award show) has been nominated for best film, and although it may have a good plot with great acting, many people believe that it’s only popular because of its star studded cast. With the likes of Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper, it obviously will demand attention, but it’s almost as if it screams “Look at me, look at all the famous people who are in this movie, look how incredible that is!” when instead, the film itself does to have lots of depth to become a classic.

  Sometimes independent films can actually prove to be the best. 'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994) is a prime example of this. When it was released, it was hardly noticed, and wasn’t even represented at the Oscars, but now it is regarded as the ‘greatest film of all time’, being a favourite of many and receiving praise everywhere.

  The Oscars only nominating people for their popularity is proved by Quentin Tarantino, who started off as a fresh, but unknown director. His first films 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Pulp Fiction' were not smash hits at that time; because of their gory violence, drug use and constant cursing, they seemed to be more or less banished from Oscar territory. But, as the years went by, one by one, the talented Tarantino’s films gained more and more popularity from film lovers, becoming cult classics. As the director earned more money and fans, suddenly now he became noticed by the Academy, and latest releases ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and ‘Django Unchained’ (which still had lots of controversial violence and swearing) were extremely well praised. Finally Tarantino was a glowing star, although of course, he couldn’t have done that without is almost ignored early masterpieces.

  Plenty of people hardly get represented at the Oscars. Yes, there are universally loved method actors who win numerous awards, especially the likes of Robert deNiro, Daniel Day Lewis, and Tom Hanks. Although, a lot of people have complained about how very celebrated and talented actors have never once won an Academy Award. Now before everyone screams “Leonardo diCaprio deserves his Oscar!” let’s discuss the late Peter O’Toole for a moment. In his 60 year career, he was in many notorious films such as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Becket’ and ‘The Lion in Winter’. O’Toole was nominated for best leading actor a record breaking eight times, obviously showing he did deserve one, yet not once did he ever win his award. Many others have surprisingly never won an Oscar; there’s the legendary Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Albert Finney, and of course, Leonardo diCaprio.  
  In the end, the Academy Awards can be a competitive excuse for celebrities to get lots of media attention. It focuses largely on glitz and glamour in good looking people, and can lead to callous gossip in magazines. Its awards are usually rewarded to the biggest blockbuster movies, most commercially successful actors, and don’t represent any independent films. This shows that the Oscars are sometimes not an accurate reflection of talent in the film industry. But, it is our own decision to either take these things into account, or to just enjoy this annual event. After all, it’s just showbiz!

By Hayley