Oscar-Winning Actors We Have Lost

The history of cinema is paved with the performances of legendary actors who captured the hearts of audiences and the recognition of the Academy. These men left an indelible mark on the film industry through their dedication to the craft and their memorable roles on the silver screen. While their physical presence is no longer with us, their work remains a testament to their immense talent and artistry. We remember these distinguished winners of the Academy Award for Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor who have passed away.

Alan Arkin

This versatile character actor finally claimed Oscar gold for his role as the unconventional grandfather in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ (2006). His career spanned decades with memorable turns in dramatic and comedic roles alike. He passed away on June 29, 2023 at his home in California. Arkin was known for his dry wit and ability to steal scenes in every project he undertook.

Alec Guinness

Sir Alec Guinness was a titan of British acting who won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as Colonel Nicholson in ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ (1957). He brought a unique dignity and complexity to his characters ranging from Shakespearean roles to Obi-Wan Kenobi. The actor died on August 5, 2000 after a battle with liver cancer. His legacy endures through his vast body of work in theatre and film.

Anthony Quinn

A powerhouse performer with an intense screen presence, Anthony Quinn won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar twice. He received the statuette for ‘Viva Zapata!’ (1952) and later for ‘Lust for Life’ (1956). He died on June 3, 2001 in Boston at the age of 86. Quinn famously embodied the title character in ‘Zorba the Greek’ which earned him another nomination and cemented his cinematic immortality.

Art Carney

Best known for his television work, Art Carney proved his dramatic range by winning the Best Actor Oscar for ‘Harry and Tonto’ (1974). In the film he played an elderly man who travels across the country with his pet cat. Carney passed away on November 9, 2003 near his home in Connecticut. His performance remains a touching portrait of aging and companionship.

Barry Fitzgerald

Barry Fitzgerald achieved a rare feat by being nominated for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for the same role in ‘Going My Way’ (1944). He ultimately won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Father Fitzgibbon. The Irish actor died on January 14, 1961 in Dublin. His scene-stealing performance opposite Bing Crosby is still celebrated as one of the great character turns in Hollywood history.

Ben Johnson

A former rodeo cowboy and stuntman, Ben Johnson brought authenticity to his western roles. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Sam the Lion in ‘The Last Picture Show’ (1971). Johnson died on April 8, 1996 in Arizona. His acceptance speech famously thanked John Ford for making his career possible.

Bing Crosby

While primarily known as a crooner, Bing Crosby was a talented actor who won the Best Actor Oscar for playing Father Chuck O’Malley in ‘Going My Way’ (1944). He became one of the biggest box office draws of the mid-20th century. The legendary entertainer died of a heart attack on October 14, 1977 on a golf course in Spain. His naturalistic acting style influenced generations of performers who followed him.

Broderick Crawford

Broderick Crawford delivered a powerful performance as Willie Stark in ‘All the King’s Men’ (1949) to win the Best Actor Oscar. His portrayal of the corrupt politician was loud and brash and utterly convincing. Crawford passed away on April 26, 1986 in California. He remains best remembered for this role and his later television work as a highway patrol chief.

Burl Ives

Originally a folk singer, Burl Ives transitioned to acting and won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘The Big Country’ (1958). He played a ruthless patriarch in the expansive western which showcased his imposing screen presence. Ives died on April 14, 1995 at his home in Washington. His rich voice and larger-than-life persona made him a beloved figure in entertainment.

Burt Lancaster

Burt Lancaster evolved from a circus acrobat into one of the most respected actors in Hollywood history. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a hypocritical evangelist in ‘Elmer Gantry’ (1960). The star passed away on October 20, 1994 following a stroke. He was also known for producing independent films that challenged the studio system.

Charles Coburn

Charles Coburn was a master of comedy who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘The More the Merrier’ (1943). He typically played wealthy or authoritative figures with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. The actor died on August 30, 1961 in New York City. His monocle and cigar became his trademarks during a long and successful career.

Charles Laughton

A stage and screen legend, Charles Laughton won the Best Actor Oscar for ‘The Private Life of Henry VIII’ (1933). He was the first British actor to win in this category and was known for his immersive character work. Laughton died on December 15, 1962 in Hollywood. He also directed the acclaimed thriller ‘The Night of the Hunter’ before his passing.

Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston was an icon of epic cinema who won the Best Actor Oscar for ‘Ben-Hur’ (1959). His performance as Judah Ben-Hur anchored a film that won a record-breaking eleven Academy Awards. The actor died on April 5, 2008 at his home in Beverly Hills. Heston was known for his commanding voice and physical presence in historical dramas.

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer became the oldest acting winner in Oscar history when he won Best Supporting Actor for ‘Beginners’ (2010). He played an elderly father who comes out as gay later in life. The distinguished Canadian actor passed away on February 5, 2021 at the age of 91. His career spanned seven decades and included iconic roles in film and theatre.

Clark Gable

Known as the King of Hollywood, Clark Gable won the Best Actor Oscar for the romantic comedy ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934). His charm and masculinity made him the biggest male star of his era. Gable died on November 16, 1960 shortly after completing ‘The Misfits’. His legacy is forever tied to his role as Rhett Butler in ‘Gone with the Wind’.

Cliff Robertson

Cliff Robertson won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a mentally disabled man in ‘Charly’ (1968). He had previously played the role in a television adaptation before fighting to get the film made. Robertson died on September 10, 2011 just one day after turning 88. He enjoyed a resurgence in popularity later in life as Uncle Ben in the ‘Spider-Man’ films.

David Niven

The quintessential English gentleman, David Niven won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in ‘Separate Tables’ (1958). He played a retired major attempting to hide a shameful secret in a seaside hotel. Niven passed away on July 29, 1983 in Switzerland after a battle with ALS. His wit and charm made him a beloved figure both on screen and as an author.

Dean Jagger

Dean Jagger was a character actor who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the war film ‘Twelve O’Clock High’ (1949). He played a major who reflects on the stress faced by bomber pilots during World War II. Jagger died on February 5, 1991 in Santa Monica. He appeared in dozens of films over a career that lasted more than fifty years.

Don Ameche

After a long career lull, Don Ameche made a spectacular comeback to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘Cocoon’ (1985). He played a senior citizen rejuvenated by alien technology in the popular sci-fi drama. Ameche passed away on December 6, 1993 in Arizona. His late-career success introduced his talents to a whole new generation of moviegoers.

Donald Crisp

Donald Crisp was a veteran of the silent era who directed and acted before winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘How Green Was My Valley’ (1941). He played the stern but loving patriarch of a Welsh mining family. Crisp died on May 25, 1974 at the age of 91. He claimed to have worked on hundreds of films during the formative years of Hollywood.

Ed Begley

Ed Begley won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a corrupt political boss in ‘Sweet Bird of Youth’ (1962). He began his career in radio before transitioning to Broadway and film success. Begley passed away on April 28, 1970 in Hollywood. He is the father of actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr.

Edmund Gwenn

Edmund Gwenn is the only actor to win an Oscar for playing Santa Claus. He took home the Best Supporting Actor statue for the holiday classic ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (1947). Gwenn died on September 6, 1959 in California. His warm and jovial performance remains the definitive portrayal of Kris Kringle.

Edmond O’Brien

Edmond O’Brien won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the drama ‘The Barefoot Contessa’ (1954). He played a sweating and anxious publicist in a story about the dark side of fame. O’Brien passed away on May 9, 1985 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was also a familiar face in the film noir genre.

Emil Jannings

Emil Jannings holds the distinction of being the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor. He won for his performances in ‘The Last Command’ (1928) and ‘The Way of All Flesh’ (1927). The German actor died on January 2, 1950 in Austria. His career suffered later due to his involvement with propaganda films during the war.

Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine won the Best Actor Oscar for his touching performance as a lonely butcher in ‘Marty’ (1955). It was a rare sensitive role for an actor often cast as a heavy or a villain. Borgnine died on July 8, 2012 at the age of 95. He continued working until the very end of his life and voiced characters for popular animated shows.

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra revitalized his flagging career by fighting for the role of Maggio in ‘From Here to Eternity’ (1953). The performance won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and proved his dramatic chops. The musical icon died on May 14, 1998 in Los Angeles. He remains one of the few entertainers to reach the pinnacle of both the music and film industries.

Fredric March

Fredric March was a two-time winner of the Best Actor Oscar. He won first for ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ (1931) and later for ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ (1946). March passed away on April 14, 1975 in Los Angeles. He was respected for his ability to disappear into complex characters without relying on mannerisms.

Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper represented the stoic American hero and won the Best Actor Oscar twice. He received awards for ‘Sergeant York’ (1941) and the western classic ‘High Noon’ (1952). Cooper died on May 13, 1961 shortly after receiving an honorary Oscar. His understated acting style set the standard for film acting in the sound era.

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman was a two-time Academy Award winner who claimed Best Actor for ‘The French Connection’ (1971) and Best Supporting Actor for ‘Unforgiven’ (1992). He retired from acting in 2004 to pursue writing novels after a legendary career. The celebrated actor passed away on February 18, 2025. He is remembered for his incredible range and intense authenticity in every role.

George Arliss

George Arliss was the first British actor to win an Academy Award before the categories were split by nationality. He won Best Actor for playing the British Prime Minister in ‘Disraeli’ (1929). Arliss died on February 5, 1946 in London. He was known for recreating his successful stage roles for the growing medium of talking pictures.

George Burns

After a lifetime in vaudeville and television comedy, George Burns won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘The Sunshine Boys’ (1975). He played an aging comic attempting a reunion with his former partner. Burns passed away on March 9, 1996 shortly after reaching his 100th birthday. His career renaissance in his eighties made him a beloved pop culture figure.

George C. Scott

George C. Scott famously refused the Best Actor Oscar he won for his portrayal of General George S. Patton in ‘Patton’ (1970). He believed that acting competitions were unfair and referred to the ceremony as a meat market. Scott died on September 22, 1999 in California. His performance as the World War II general remains one of the most acclaimed in film history.

George Kennedy

George Kennedy won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the brutal but eventually loyal Dragline in ‘Cool Hand Luke’ (1967). He appeared in many disaster movies of the 1970s and later spoofed his tough-guy image in comedy films. Kennedy passed away on February 28, 2016 in Idaho. He was a dependable character actor who enriched every film he appeared in.

George Sanders

George Sanders won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the acerbic theatre critic Addison DeWitt in ‘All About Eve’ (1950). His sophisticated and cynical persona was perfect for the witty script. Sanders died on April 25, 1972 in Spain. He left behind a legacy of playing aristocratic villains and cads.

Gig Young

Gig Young was known for playing charming playboys but won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for a darker role in ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’ (1969). He played the desperate master of ceremonies at a depression-era dance marathon. Young died on October 19, 1978 in New York City. His tragic end contrasted sharply with the lighthearted roles of his early career.

Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck won the Best Actor Oscar for his defining role as Atticus Finch in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ (1962). He embodied moral courage and decency in a performance that the American Film Institute named the greatest movie hero of all time. Peck passed away on June 12, 2003 in Los Angeles. He served as president of the Academy and was a humanitarian throughout his life.

Haing S. Ngor

Haing S. Ngor was a Cambodian physician who survived the Khmer Rouge regime and won Best Supporting Actor for portraying Dith Pran in ‘The Killing Fields’ (1984). He was the first Asian actor to win an Oscar in a supporting role. Ngor was tragically killed on February 25, 1996 in Los Angeles. He used his fame to raise awareness about the atrocities in his home country.

Harold Russell

Harold Russell is the only actor to win two Oscars for the same performance. He won Best Supporting Actor and an honorary award for ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ (1946) where he played a disabled veteran. Russell passed away on January 14, 2002 in Massachusetts. He was a non-professional actor who lost his hands during World War II training.

Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger delivered a transformative performance as the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008) which earned him a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar. His chaotic and terrifying interpretation of the villain redefined the comic book movie genre. Ledger died on January 22, 2008 in New York City before the film was released. His win was an emotional moment for the industry and his family accepted the award.

Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda finally won a competitive Best Actor Oscar for his final film role in ‘On Golden Pond’ (1981). He played an elderly professor reconciling with his daughter and facing his own mortality. Fonda passed away on August 12, 1982 in Los Angeles. He was a quiet giant of American cinema with a career spanning five decades.

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as the gin-swilling boat captain Charlie Allnut in ‘The African Queen’ (1951). It was his only competitive win despite creating some of cinema’s most iconic characters. Bogart died on January 14, 1957 from esophageal cancer. He remains a cultural icon for his roles in noir classics and romantic dramas.

Hugh Griffith

Hugh Griffith won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Sheik Ilderim in ‘Ben-Hur’ (1959). The Welsh actor brought humor and energy to the massive biblical epic. Griffith passed away on May 14, 1980 in London. He had a distinguished stage career in addition to his memorable film roles.

Jack Albertson

Jack Albertson won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘The Subject Was Roses’ (1968). He reprised his Tony-winning stage role as a father dealing with family conflict after his son returns from war. Albertson died on November 25, 1981 in California. He is also fondly remembered for playing Grandpa Joe in ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’.

Jack Lemmon

Jack Lemmon was a two-time Oscar winner who excelled at both comedy and drama. He won Best Supporting Actor for ‘Mister Roberts’ (1955) and Best Actor for ‘Save the Tiger’ (1973). Lemmon passed away on June 27, 2001 in Los Angeles. He was the first actor to win both the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor Academy Awards.

Jack Palance

Jack Palance won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the tough trail boss Curly in ‘City Slickers’ (1991). His acceptance speech famously included him performing one-armed push-ups on stage to prove his vitality. Palance died on November 10, 2006 in California. He had a long career often playing villains before his comedic turn later in life.

James Cagney

James Cagney won the Best Actor Oscar for his energetic portrayal of George M. Cohan in the musical ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ (1942). Though known for his gangster roles, this film allowed him to showcase his dancing and singing talents. Cagney passed away on March 30, 1986 at his farm in New York. He remains one of the most distinctive and imitated voices in Hollywood history.

James Coburn

James Coburn won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as an abusive father in ‘Affliction’ (1997). It was a crowning achievement for an actor who had been a star of action and western films for decades. Coburn died on November 18, 2002 in Beverly Hills. His cool demeanor and distinct laugh made him a screen favorite.

James Dunn

James Dunn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘A Tree Grows in Brooklyn’ (1945). He played an alcoholic but loving father in the heartwarming drama. Dunn passed away on September 1, 1967 in Santa Monica. The role was a personal triumph that mirrored his own struggles and comeback in Hollywood.

James Stewart

James Stewart won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the romantic comedy ‘The Philadelphia Story’ (1940). He brought his signature drawl and everyman decency to the role of a tabloid reporter. Stewart died on July 2, 1997 in Los Angeles. He was a decorated war hero and one of the most beloved stars of the studio era.

Jason Robards

Jason Robards won back-to-back Oscars for Best Supporting Actor for ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976) and ‘Julia’ (1977). He was a master of the stage who successfully translated his gravitas to the screen. Robards passed away on December 26, 2000 in Connecticut. He was particularly acclaimed for his interpretations of the works of Eugene O’Neill.

John Gielgud

Sir John Gielgud won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the acerbic butler Hobson in ‘Arthur’ (1981). He was one of the legendary acting knights of the British theatre. Gielgud died on May 21, 2000 in England at the age of 96. His voice was considered one of the finest in the history of the English language.

John Houseman

John Houseman was a producer who turned to acting later in life and won Best Supporting Actor for ‘The Paper Chase’ (1973). He played the intimidating law professor Charles Kingsfield with terrifying authority. Houseman passed away on October 31, 1988 in Malibu. He reprised the famous role for the long-running television series adaptation.

John Mills

Sir John Mills won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing the village idiot in ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ (1970). It was a physically demanding role that required him to act without dialogue. Mills died on April 23, 2005 in England at the age of 97. He was a beloved figure in British cinema with a career lasting over seven decades.

John Wayne

John Wayne finally won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as the drunken marshal Rooster Cogburn in ‘True Grit’ (1969). It was a role that allowed him to parody his own tough-guy image while delivering a strong performance. The western icon passed away on June 11, 1979 in Los Angeles. He remains the enduring symbol of the American West in cinema.

José Ferrer

José Ferrer was the first Puerto Rican actor to win an Academy Award receiving Best Actor for ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ (1950). He had previously won a Tony Award for the same role on Broadway. Ferrer died on January 26, 1992 in Florida. He was a man of many talents who also directed films and composed music.

Joseph Schildkraut

Joseph Schildkraut won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for playing Captain Dreyfus in ‘The Life of Emile Zola’ (1937). He was an Austrian stage actor who found success in Hollywood character roles. Schildkraut passed away on January 21, 1964 in New York. He was the son of a famous stage actor and carried on the family tradition with distinction.

Karl Malden

Karl Malden won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Mitch in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ (1951). He brought a necessary vulnerability to the film to counter the intensity of Marlon Brando. Malden died on July 1, 2009 at the age of 97. He later became famous for his television work and his long tenure as President of the Academy.

Lee Marvin

Lee Marvin won the Best Actor Oscar for his dual role in the western comedy ‘Cat Ballou’ (1965). He played both a ruthless gunman and a drunken has-been with brilliant comic timing. Marvin passed away on August 29, 1987 in Arizona. He was known for his premature white hair and his tough screen persona.

Lionel Barrymore

Lionel Barrymore won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in ‘A Free Soul’ (1931). He was a member of the famous Barrymore acting dynasty and a major star at MGM. The actor died on November 15, 1954 in California. He is perhaps best remembered today as the villainous Mr. Potter in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.

Louis Gossett Jr.

Louis Gossett Jr. made history as the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ (1982). His portrayal of the tough drill instructor Emil Foley was commanding and unforgettable. Gossett passed away on March 29, 2024 in Santa Monica. His career included acclaimed work in the miniseries ‘Roots’ and decades of film roles.

Martin Balsam

Martin Balsam won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘A Thousand Clowns’ (1965). He was a quintessential New York character actor who appeared in some of the most important films of his era. Balsam died on February 13, 1996 in Italy. His credits include ‘Psycho’ and ’12 Angry Men’ proving his reliability in any genre.

Martin Landau

Martin Landau won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi in ‘Ed Wood’ (1994). It was a touching tribute to a faded star that revitalized Landau’s own career. The actor passed away on July 15, 2017 in Los Angeles. He had been a star of television’s ‘Mission: Impossible’ before finding late-career film glory.

Maximilian Schell

Maximilian Schell won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as a defense attorney in ‘Judgment at Nuremberg’ (1961). He reprised the role from a television production and delivered an impassioned performance. Schell died on February 1, 2014 in Austria. He was also an accomplished director and pianist who worked in both Europe and America.

Melvyn Douglas

Melvyn Douglas was a two-time winner of the Best Supporting Actor Oscar later in his career. He won for ‘Hud’ (1963) and for the political satire ‘Being There’ (1979). Douglas passed away on August 4, 1981 in New York City. He successfully transitioned from a leading man in the 1930s to a respected character actor.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando changed the art of acting forever and won Best Actor twice. He received the award for ‘On the Waterfront’ (1954) and later for ‘The Godfather’ (1972) which he famously declined. Brando died on July 1, 2004 in Los Angeles. His method approach brought a new level of realism and emotional depth to American cinema.

Paul Lukas

Paul Lukas won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the anti-fascist drama ‘Watch on the Rhine’ (1943). He beat out Humphrey Bogart for the award in a year of stiff competition. Lukas passed away on August 15, 1971 in Tangier. He was a Hungarian actor who built a successful career in Hollywood playing suave Europeans.

Paul Newman

After many nominations Paul Newman finally won the Best Actor Oscar for ‘The Color of Money’ (1986). He reprised his role as Fast Eddie Felson from ‘The Hustler’ in this Martin Scorsese sequel. Newman died on September 26, 2008 in Connecticut. He was also known for his extensive philanthropy and his racing career.

Paul Scofield

Paul Scofield won the Best Actor Oscar for recreating his stage role as Sir Thomas More in ‘A Man for All Seasons’ (1966). He was widely considered one of the greatest stage actors of his generation. Scofield passed away on March 19, 2008 in England. He made relatively few films and preferred the theatre over Hollywood stardom.

Peter Finch

Peter Finch became the first actor to win a posthumous Oscar for Best Actor for ‘Network’ (1976). His portrayal of the mad newscaster Howard Beale is iconic for the “I’m as mad as hell” speech. Finch died on January 14, 1977 in Beverly Hills shortly before the ceremony. His performance remains a terrifyingly accurate prediction of modern media.

Peter Ustinov

Peter Ustinov was a true polymath who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar twice. He took home statues for ‘Spartacus’ (1960) and the heist comedy ‘Topkapi’ (1964). Ustinov passed away on March 28, 2004 in Switzerland. He was also a celebrated writer and raconteur known for his sharp wit.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Best Actor Oscar for his immersive portrayal of the author Truman Capote in ‘Capote’ (2005). He was widely regarded as the finest character actor of his generation. Hoffman died tragically on February 2, 2014 in New York City. His ability to find humanity in flawed characters made him a unique talent.

Ray Milland

Ray Milland won the Best Actor Oscar for his harrowing portrayal of an alcoholic writer in ‘The Lost Weekend’ (1945). It was a brave role for a handsome leading man to take during that era. Milland passed away on March 10, 1986 in California. He continued to work in film and television for decades after his win.

Red Buttons

Red Buttons was a comedian who proved his dramatic ability by winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘Sayonara’ (1957). He played an airman who faces prejudice for marrying a Japanese woman. Buttons died on July 13, 2006 in Los Angeles. He remained a popular figure on the celebrity roast circuit for many years.

Rex Harrison

Rex Harrison won the Best Actor Oscar for his signature role as Professor Henry Higgins in the musical ‘My Fair Lady’ (1964). He had previously played the role on stage to great acclaim. Harrison passed away on June 2, 1990 in New York City. He was known for his “talk-singing” style and his sophisticated but often prickly persona.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a therapist in ‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997). It was a restrained dramatic performance that showed the depth behind his manic comedic energy. Williams died on August 11, 2014 in California. He was a comedy legend whose death sparked a worldwide outpouring of grief.

Robert Donat

Robert Donat won the Best Actor Oscar for playing the beloved schoolteacher in ‘Goodbye, Mr. Chips’ (1939). He famously beat Clark Gable in the year of ‘Gone with the Wind’. Donat passed away on June 9, 1958 in London at the young age of 53. He suffered from chronic asthma throughout his life which limited his film output.

Rod Steiger

Rod Steiger won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as a southern police chief in ‘In the Heat of the Night’ (1967). He was an intense method actor who brought complex psychology to his characters. Steiger died on July 9, 2002 in Los Angeles. He often played volatile figures and villains with terrifying conviction.

Ronald Colman

Ronald Colman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for playing a tormented actor in ‘A Double Life’ (1947). He was one of the great romantic leads of the 1930s and 40s. Colman passed away on May 19, 1958 in Santa Barbara. His velvet voice and gentlemanly demeanor made him a star of both silent and sound films.

Sean Connery

Sean Connery won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the streetwise cop Jim Malone in ‘The Untouchables’ (1987). While he was globally famous as the original James Bond this role validated his standing as a serious actor. Connery died on October 31, 2020 in the Bahamas at the age of 90. He left an undeniable mark on pop culture as the ultimate 007.

Sidney Poitier

Sidney Poitier made history as the first Black winner of the Best Actor Oscar for ‘Lilies of the Field’ (1963). His elegant and dignified screen presence broke down barriers in Hollywood during the Civil Rights era. Poitier passed away on January 6, 2022 in Los Angeles. He was a trailblazer who opened doors for generations of minority actors.

Spencer Tracy

Spencer Tracy was the first actor to win back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for ‘Captains Courageous’ (1937) and ‘Boys Town’ (1938). He was revered by his peers for his naturalism and ability to listen in scenes. Tracy died on June 10, 1967 shortly after completing his final film. He holds the record for the most nominations in the Best Actor category alongside Laurence Olivier.

Thomas Mitchell

Thomas Mitchell won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the drunken doctor in ‘Stagecoach’ (1939). He had an incredible year in 1939 appearing in five classic films including ‘Gone with the Wind’. Mitchell passed away on December 17, 1962 in Beverly Hills. He was one of the most recognizable and employed character actors of the studio system.

Van Heflin

Van Heflin won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the noir film ‘Johnny Eager’ (1941). He played an alcoholic intellectual who is the friend of a gangster. Heflin died on July 23, 1971 in Hollywood following a heart attack while swimming. He was a reliable actor who could play both leads and supporting parts with equal skill.

Victor McLaglen

Victor McLaglen won the Best Actor Oscar for ‘The Informer’ (1935) directed by John Ford. He played a slow-witted man who betrays his friend during the Irish War of Independence. McLaglen passed away on November 7, 1959 in California. He was a former boxer who became a staple of Ford’s stock company of actors.

Wallace Beery

Wallace Beery won the Best Actor Oscar for playing a down-on-his-luck boxer in ‘The Champ’ (1931). He notably tied for the award with Fredric March in a rare Academy occurrence. Beery died on April 15, 1949 in Beverly Hills. He was a major box office draw who often played rough characters with hearts of gold.

Walter Brennan

Walter Brennan set a record by winning three Best Supporting Actor Oscars. He won for ‘Come and Get It’ (1936) then ‘Kentucky’ (1938) and finally ‘The Westerner’ (1940). Brennan passed away on September 21, 1974 in California. He was the definitive old-timer character actor in countless westerns.

Walter Huston

Walter Huston won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre’ (1948). He was directed by his son John Huston in the film which became a family triumph. The actor died on April 7, 1950 in Beverly Hills. He gave a gleeful performance as the old prospector Howard which remains legendary.

Walter Matthau

Walter Matthau won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as a shyster lawyer in ‘The Fortune Cookie’ (1966). It was the first of his many successful collaborations with Jack Lemmon. Matthau passed away on July 1, 2000 in Santa Monica. He was known for his hangdog face and his brilliant delivery of dry comedy.

Warner Baxter

Warner Baxter won the Best Actor Oscar for playing the Cisco Kid in the early sound western ‘In Old Arizona’ (1928). He was a major star of the transition period from silent to talking pictures. Baxter died on May 7, 1951 in Beverly Hills. He suffered from arthritis later in life and reportedly had a lobotomy to ease the pain.

William Holden

William Holden won the Best Actor Oscar for his cynical prisoner of war role in ‘Stalag 17’ (1953). He was one of the biggest stars of the 1950s known for his handsome looks and acting range. Holden passed away on November 12, 1981 in Santa Monica. His death was a tragic accident at home that cut short a brilliant career.

William Hurt

William Hurt won the Best Actor Oscar for playing a prisoner in a Latin American jail in ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ (1985). He was nominated three consecutive times in the mid-1980s establishing him as a top talent. Hurt died on March 13, 2022 in Oregon. He later introduced himself to new audiences as General Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Yul Brynner

Yul Brynner won the Best Actor Oscar for his defining role as the King of Siam in the musical ‘The King and I’ (1956). He played the role thousands of times on stage and screen making it his own. Brynner passed away on October 10, 1985 in New York City. He was known for his shaved head and exotic charisma which captivated audiences worldwide.

Please share your favorite memories of these incredible actors in the comments.