Oscars Week: 10 More Great Actors without Academy Awards
by Robbie Jones
The Oscars are upon us, and as we look at the nominations and decide for ourselves who should be taking home the little golden statues, we must take a moment to remember those stars who have are widely acclaimed for their contributions to film but have still yet to be honoured by the Academy for their efforts. A couple years back, I recognised actors such as Tom Cruise, Gary Oldman, and Leonardo Dicaprio, and now it’s time to take a look at 10 more great men and women who haven’t seen the glory.
Honourable mentions: Ralph Fiennes, Sam Rockwell, Naomi Watts, Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Glenn Close, Will Smith, Oscar Isaac, and Viola Davis, amongst several others
10. Edward Norton
Total nominations: 3 (Primal Fear, American History X and Birdman)
There’s generally this bad notion that people have about Edward Norton; I’m not entirely sure where they come from, but I’ve heard in the past that he can be quite hard to work with and in general just isn’t a very nice person. That’s kind of disheartening, but it’s impossible to deny that Norton is an incredible actor. He always gives 110% to his performances, and is always convincing as hell. In fact, he’s arguably only ever given one weak performance, in The Incredible Hulk. Beyond that, he makes great film choices and most of them are better for having him in it.
He should’ve won an Oscar for: Fight Club
There’s no denying that he’s fantastic in all three of his nominated films, especially American History X, but having studied it the last three months, I’ve come to realise just how brilliant Norton is in Fight Club. He frequently gets overshadowed by Pitt’s (who is generally the first name people attach to David Fincher’s masterpiece) equally excellent performance, but Norton captures The Narrator’s downfall perfectly. The transitioning of his character from a corporate insomniac living a consumerist lifestyle to a devil may care anarchist is incredible to watch. Truthfully, Fight Club should’ve got far more recognition than it did, and any category not including this film was incomplete.
9. Toni Collette
Total nominations: 1 (The Sixth Sense)
Toni Collette is an actress who I wrongfully used to dismiss as “everyone’s Mum”. Seriously, in most of her films, she plays someone’s mother. But this typical role doesn’t take away from the fact that she is supremely talented. She takes roles that could very easily be boring or badly done, and makes them entertaining and sympathetic. The Sixth Sense was a well-deserved nomination indeed, but her best performance would come much later in her career…
She should’ve won an Oscar for: The Way Way Back
Let’s be honest, everybody in that film deserved an Oscar. The Way Way Back isn’t just the best film of 2013, and it isn’t just one of the best films of this decade so far, but it’s one of the best coming of age films of all time. In a film that featured the best performances of Steve Carell and Sam Rockwell’s careers, she still managed to shine as the mother (Yeah, yeah, I know) of main man Duncan. Her grief at the pain caused by her unfaithful, emotionally abusive boyfriend Trent (Carell) combined with her love and closeness with her son makes her one of the most sympathetic yet loveable characters in the film. Whatever love Duncan is looking for, she has to give, and Collette delivers it beautifully.
8. Jeff Daniels
Total nominations: 0
For most of my life, I associated Jeff Daniels with Dumb and Dumber and Speed. In other words, I thought he was only good at comedy. It wasn’t until much later on when I saw his performances in stuff like The Newsroom, Terms of Endearment, and The Martian did I realise just how brilliant of an actor he is. He’s very powerful; he has this dominating presence that towers over everyone else. On top of that, I’ve never known an actor to have such great chemistry with literally everyone he talks to, he bounces off others so well and it makes for some really enticing performances.
He should win an Oscar for: Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is another film that really deserves more love than its getting; Danny Boyle’s biopic is an electric masterpiece with some of the best performances of the year, as well as one of the best screenplays, but only Fassbender and Winslet have been honoured thus far. To be fair, everybody is as brilliant as each other in this film, but Daniels really did deserve a nod for his turn as former Apple CEO John Sculley. My earlier point about his chemistry on screen is consistently proved with every scene this man appears in, the most engrossing one being the argument between him and Jobs in the 1988 portion of the film. Absolutely stunning.
7. Emily Blunt
Total nominations: 0
Emily Blunt is hands down one of Britain’s finest exports; whether it be in a British or American production, she knows how to dominate the screen no matter what she’s doing. She’s a delight to watch, and when she’s having fun, we’re having fun, but when things turn serious, she absolutely nails it. And whilst we REALLY don’t need another Mary Poppins films, you can’t deny that Blunt is the absolute perfect choice for the role.
She should win an Oscar for: Sicario
If it had even had any chance of ever being nominated, I would’ve suggested her performance in Edge of Tomorrow for awards glory, but to be more realistic, she should’ve picked up a Best Actress nomination for her stunning performance in Sicario. Her turn as idealistic FBI Agent Kate Mercer was fantastic; everything she stood for and her objections to the actions going on around her came through brilliantly, making her one of the most enticing characters of 2015. I know it’s now law to nominate Jennifer Lawrence for Oscars, but Blunt really deserved a place amongst the best of this year’s leading ladies.
6. Jim Carrey
Total nominations: 0
Okay, so maybe I’m biased since Jim Carrey is my favourite actor, but this man has proved time and time again that he’s more than just several silly faces. The Oscars love it when comedians take on serious roles; Steve Carell in Foxcatcher, Bill Murray in Lost in Translation, Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting…So why no love for Carrey? Maybe he’s never done anything as powerful as the aforementioned performers, but he has a very obvious talent that has always been ignored.
He should’ve won an Oscar for: The Truman Show/Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
This one was too hard to pick. The Truman Show is a near perfect film featuring Carrey’s most involving performance; it was a nice blend of comedy and drama, and an interesting character that he played to perfection. It was the first time he stepped away from the strictly comedic and tried something a bit different, and everyone loved him for it, also believing that he’d be recognised by the Academy. As for Eternal Sunshine, that melancholic mindbender was one of his most defining roles. A man who made a name for himself by making stupid faces and literally talking out of his arse, seamlessly became this broken, depressed man and it was a convincing, utterly enthralling portrayal that should’ve seen him bag a nomination, but once again, it wasn’t to be.
5. Helena Bonham Carter
Total nominations: 2 (Wings of the Dove and The King’s Speech)
Helena Bonham Carter has spent most of her career being typecast; early roles in films like A Room With a View lead to her constantly appearing in costume dramas and romance films, whilst later films like the Harry Potter franchise and the work of Tim Burton saw her frequently take on insane characters. Still, that’s not to say she’s never done it well. Bonham Carter is another of Britain’s finest talents, who excels in every role she takes on and is completely unforgettable. Sure, she’s made some stinkers (About half of Burton’s films that she’s starred in are terrible) but for the most part, she has a delightful presence and is always welcome on screen.
She should’ve won an Oscar for: Fight Club
Yes, another fight clubber (I’m pretty sure I selected the same for Brad Pitt on the original list), but who could deny that her performance is extraordinary? Marla is not an easy character to play; they needed the right actress and she needed to be perfect. Imagine if it had gone the studios’ way, and Reese Witherspoon played the role. How awful would that be? Carter’s portrayal of reckless, uncaring, living cancer Marla Singer is part of what makes Fight Club so invigorating. She initially turned it down due to the film’s treatment of women, and the world could not be more grateful for her changing her mind.
4. Harrison Ford
Total nominations: 1 (Witness)
This has to be the most shocking entry on this list; Harrison Ford is a screen legend, an icon who will go down in history as one of the greatest actors of all time. So why has he never seen Oscar glory? Furthermore, why has he only been nominated for one film? Well, it’s likely because he is largely an action star, and the Academy can be quite uptight when it comes to nominating action films for the big awards (Save for this year of course, where Mad Max: Fury Road has achieved Best Picture and Best Director). But even then, I’d argue Ford’s first few outings as Indiana Jones are Oscar worthy, and Star Wars too. His performance in The Force Awakens is the best he’s given in years. But he still shines in smaller dramas too.
He should’ve won an Oscar for: The Fugitive
One thing that always baffles me is how Tommy Lee Jones won an Oscar for The Fugitive; it was a good performance, but a totally standard one too. He didn’t deserve the nomination, let alone the award. It should’ve been handed to Leonardo Dicaprio for his stunning turn in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, and then we wouldn’t have the overused meme that will hopefully disappear this weekend. Now I’m not highlighting The Fugitive as Ford’s best performance. He could’ve easily won an Oscar for Blade Runner, Regarding Henry and several other films. But I put it here because it any performance from The Fugitive was to be nominated, it should’ve 100% been his. He is much more captivating, much more interesting and much more intense than Jones, and was far more worthy of success than he was.
3. Sigourney Weaver
Total nominations: 3 (Aliens, Gorillas in the Mist, and Working Girl)
Another legendary performer who hasn’t been recognised, Weaver quickly solidified herself as an acting legend with classic roles in the Alien, Ghostbusters, and Gorillas in the Mist. Even her smaller roles in films like Paul and The Cabin in the Woods have been fantastic. The woman isn’t capable of bad acting; she’s got a great talent and she always brings it on screen. Even the worst Alien film was enhanced by her performance.
She should’ve won an Oscar for: Aliens
As I mentioned before, the Academy have previously ignored the action genre several times over the years, so it really says something about Weaver’s talent that she managed to bag a leading actress nod for her turn in Aliens. James Cameron’s sci-fi sequel is quite a different beast to the Ridley Scott’s original, and it was in this masterpiece that Weaver solidified herself as one of the greatest action heroes of all time. Ripley is fierce; she’s determined, willing and capable, and every second that she’s on screen is completely awesome.
2. Amy Adams
Total nominations: 5 (Junebug, Doubt, The Fighter, The Master and American Hustle)
You know, it really bugs me when people go on and on about Leo having five Oscar nominations and never winning because he really deserves it etc. yet Amy Adams has the exact same amount but no one seems as bothered about that. Adams is easily just as talented as Dicaprio, and hands down one of the best actresses working today, if not THE best.
She should’ve won an Oscar for: All of them
Seriously, I can’t choose. Adams bring everything she has to every role she takes and knocks it out of the park every time. Melissa Leo was great in The Figther, Anne Hathaway was undeniably powerful in Les Miserables and I hear Cate Blanchett was wonderful in Blue Jasmine, but as far as I’m concerned, we should be calling her “Three time Academy Award winner Amy Adams”, if not five time (It’s hard to argue with the other choices). Adams’ lack of Oscar is far more annoying than Leo’s.
1. Jake Gyllenhaal
Total nominations: 1 (Brokeback Mountain)
Sliding in at the number one spot is perhaps the best actor working in Hollywood today: Jake Gyllenhaal. Jake fucking Gyllenhaal. This man is phenomenal; I don’t think he knows how to not give a sensational performance. Everything he does, he creates this deep pit of emotion that you will find yourself dipping in and out of as the film progresses. He’s so raw, so chameleon-like, it’s easy to forget he’s even acting. And whilst he should get an Oscar for, like, everything, he gave one of the most incredible performances of the decade so far and received no attention from the Oscars whatsoever.
He should’ve won an Oscar for: Nightcrawler
Bradley Cooper was great in American Sniper. Steve Carell was great in Foxcatcher. Neither of them were anywhere close to being as good Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler, but they got nominated anyway. Nightcrawler was a film worthy of Best Picture, yet it picked up one nomination in the form of Best Original Screenplay. What’s even more disgusting is that Gyllenhaal wasn’t recognised for completely transforming into this slimy, disgusting man who’s every word makes your skin crawl. The character felt so real; the twisted, demented nature of his mind was portrayed perfectly by Gyllenhaal, and it just elevated the film to a new level of outstanding. It was definitely the worst of last year’s snubs.
So there we have it, ten more great actors who don’t have Oscars. Of course, this list could go on forever and ever, so who’s your favourite actor to never win an Oscar?
Let us know in the comments!