As the 98th Academy Awards are about to commence soon, numerous esteemed actors in Hollywood are eagerly anticipating the possibility of their lifelong aspirations coming to fruition tonight. This evening, starting at 7pm ET/4pm PT in the U.S – or 11pm for UK audiences, movie enthusiasts will witness renowned figures in Hollywood such as Leonardo DiCaprio competing against emerging talents like Timothee Chalamet.
While winning an Oscar is often perceived as a pivotal moment in one’s career, there exist several A-list actors who have yet to clinch this prestigious accolade. Let’s take a glimpse at the notable stars who have not been fortunate enough to receive an Oscar…
Regarded as one of the finest actors of our era, Sir Ian McKellen has never been honored with an Oscar despite being nominated once for Best Actor for his performance in 1998’s Gods and Monsters, and for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).
Although he was surpassed by Roberto Benigni and Jim Broadbent on those occasions, Ian’s career has not been devoid of recognition; he was knighted in 1991 and later appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in 2008 for his contributions to drama and equality. His accolades include five Laurence Olivier Awards, two Screen Actors Guild awards, and a Golden Globe.
Famous for his roles in Mission Impossible, Tom Cruise embodies the quintessential Hollywood actor, yet surprisingly, he has never won an Oscar. Despite receiving nominations for Best Actor twice, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Picture for producing Top Gun: Maverick (2022), he has never secured a win. However, he was presented with an Honorary Oscar in 2025 for his lifetime achievements and dedication to the film industry.
Another highly acclaimed figure in Hollywood, Michelle Pfeiffer, has been nominated for three Oscars over the years but has always been outshined by her counterparts. Her initial nomination was for Best Supporting Actress in Dangerous Liaisons (1988), where she lost to Geena Davis. Subsequently, she was in contention for Best Actress for The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) and Love Field (1992), yet was bested by Jessica Tandy and Emma Thompson, respectively.
Despite his reputation as a comedic actor, Jim Carrey has also delivered remarkable performances in cult classics and critically acclaimed films like The Truman Show (1998) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). Surprisingly, Carrey has never received an Academy Award nomination, despite his prolific career spanning many years. Nevertheless, he has been acknowledged by other award bodies, including the Golden Globes, where he has been nominated six times and won twice.
Despite Samuel L. Jackson’s expansive portfolio in the film industry, the esteemed actor and producer has never been awarded an Oscar. His sole nomination was for Best Supporting Actor in Pulp Fiction, which he missed out on to Martin Landau in 1995. Nonetheless, he received an Honorary Oscar in 2022 for his lifetime achievements.
Another veteran in Hollywood, Michael Keaton, has also not secured an Oscar victory. Surprisingly, he was not nominated until 2015, when he was put forward for the Best Actor award for his role in Birdman (2014). Unfortunately,