Actors that Didn't Win the Oscar But Should Have

The Top Ten
1 Joaquin Phoenix - Walk the Line

I am watching Walk the Line right now and he is just fantastic. He was robbed. Thought so at the time when Reese won and he didn't. I don't understand it. It took the Academy 40 years to figure out Jeff Bridges wasn't just Oscar bridesmaid. Joaquin gets nominated a lot and one day will win.

Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of johnny cash was haunting and mesmerizing. I have watched this film multiple time simply for your amazing performance! He completely embodied Johnny Cash. A true star. Johnny and June would of been proud.

2 Russell Crowe - A Beautiful Mind

He had a good performance in Gladiator but this movie Russell Crowe was fantastic in.

A beautiful mind won a lot of awards (Best picture, Best Director, Best Actress...) but the one person that brought the movie to life didn't win...Joke.

3 Robert De Niro - Taxi Driver

Robert De Niro gives a chilling performance in what is highly regarded as being one of the greatest films ever made. Although Peter Finch's performance in Network was certainly memorable it hasn't aged well in comparison to De Niro's iconic turn as the vigilante Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver.

No Doubt one of the best Pieces of acting ever put on film. At least the Academy righted this wrong with an even better performance in "Raging Bull" the gold standard of modern film acting!.

This guy is the father of the rest of the people in this list. Anyone voting for someone else probably didn't watch Taxi Driver.

4 Sylvester Stallone - Rocky

Rocky is the most inspirational movie character of all time. It's a crime Stallone did not get the Oscar that is rightfully his!

He didn't get the oscar. The oscar was for best movie but not for best actor. That oscar went to Peter Finch in " Network " that year.

Peter Finch is excellent in Network.

5 Al Pacino - Scarface

It was great acting, yes it was violent but that's how it was! It take a lot for Al Pacino to put in those emotions, great acting Great movie period

Scarface deserves a best actor oscar.

Just look at pacino... it's perfectly believable!
I believe pacino lives in the character

6 Tom Hanks - Saving Private Ryan
7 Leonardo DiCaprio - The Wolf of Wall Street

I cannot believe that he did not win the oscar! His perfomance was the best of the year at least! Matthew was great but Leonardo was just breathtaking! He could play a dramatic and comedic hero at the same time so easily! In one scene was so funny and in the next one was a dramatic and bad criminal! He took a big risk to play in a comedy. Academy people do not give oscars to comedies but he did that! They are so predictable and boring! Also he proved that he can be a perfect comedic hero! The phone/kitchen scene is already a classic! His best perfomance by far... I believe that the academy was impressed more by the lost weight of matthew and less by his acting! Really if you want to improve that you are just a great actor you lose weight and change your appearence? Leonardo not...

8 Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
9 Leonardo DiCaprio - Blood Diamond Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio (born November 11, 1974) is an American actor and film producer. Known for his work in biopics and period films, he is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. As of 2019, his films have grossed... read more

It's the biggest injustice of all time.. For sure he deserves have two oscars by now and a couple of nominations! Actors like jonah hill get nominated without any talent or a very real good performance and its just not fair! He is the number 1 actor of his generation and that have been said by many of professionals of cinema like kate winstlet, martin scorsese! In django all reviwers bet on him to be indicated for an nomination and he was robbed!

Give him his oscar back NOW! What do you want academy people? The wolf of wall street? Ok! Coming soon and I am ready to clap for you Leo!

10 Malcolm McDowell - A Clockwork Orange

A stunning preformance. How he made Alex's progress from delinquent to an "honest citizen" is scary. You can see he is enjoying every moment of the role, especially the ones before the transformation.

Wonder to me how he didn't even get nominated. Such a fearless and intense performance, you just could'nt take your eyes away from him.

The Contenders
11 Peter O'Toole - Lawrence of Arabia

Okay, really, you could advocate for any number of his performances winning an Oscar. He was nominated eight times in his career, eight times without winning once! He received an honorary award in 2002, but they should have made it official! He was a treasure of the silver screen and will truly be missed. And with any luck, the Academy is trying to reconcile for the sin of not honoring him well enough.

This was a pefromance of lifetime. He was incredible as Lawrence.

12 Jack Nicholson - The Shining

I agree with this one. Jack definitely should have won.

One of the best acting of all time!

13 Val Kilmer - Tombstone
14 Tom Cruise - Jerry Maguire
15 Robert Downey Jr. - Iron Man
16 Liam Neeson - Michael Collins

Liam Neeson did an awesome job of picturing Michael Collins. Plus, he really looks like the real guy! Also should have won an Oscar for Schindler's list, in my opinion.

17 Robert Pattinson - Twilight

Who ever suggested this must be joking!

18 Robert De Niro - The Deer Hunter

Creepy, touching, sad, all in one. Along with Streep, they make the film acting superb

19 Edward Norton - American History X

The best Edward Norton performance EVER! The look of pride on his face when being arrested after killing 2 people was so believable it was chilling to watch!... who walked off with the oscar that night? Roberto Bennini? What?!... Who remembers that clown?! Should have gone to Norton?... HE WAS ROBBED!

One of the greatest performances of all time, the look of evil on Derek's face after he got arrested = so believable and priceless. That film was snubbed for nominations as well.

20 Christian Bale - American Psycho

Just to let you know that Christian Bale has an Oscar, for best supporting actor though.

21 Tim Robbins - The Shawshank Redemption

Amazingly subtle, heartfelt and convincing performance!

22 Jack Nicholson - About Schmidt
23 Kevin Costner - Dances with Wolves
24 George Clooney - The Descendants

Just to let you know that George Clooney has an Oscar, for best supporting actor though.

25 Nicolas Cage - Adaptation
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