Actors who Have Schockingly Never Been Nominated for an Oscar

Plenty of widely known performers have stacked résumés, major awards, and box-office success yet, for one reason or another, have never heard their name called on Oscar nomination morning. Below are 40 male actors whose careers include hit films, acclaimed performances, and industry recognition outside the Academy Awards—just not an actual Oscar nomination.

Keanu Reeves

Reeves has headlined multiple global franchises, including ‘The Matrix’ series and ‘John Wick’, with the latter revitalizing his action career and generating strong international returns. He’s earned MTV Movie Awards and Saturn Award recognition, plus a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His filmography spans action, sci-fi, drama, and romance, from ‘Speed’ and ‘Point Break’ to ‘The Lake House’. He has also produced and directed, including the documentary ‘Side by Side’ and the feature ‘Man of Tai Chi’.

Richard Gere

Gere’s leading turns in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’, ‘Pretty Woman’, and ‘Chicago’ anchored major box-office hits across decades. He’s won a Golden Globe for ‘Chicago’ as part of the ensemble and received numerous nominations from the Globes and Screen Actors Guild. Gere has also worked frequently in indie films such as ‘Arbitrage’ and ‘Time Out of Mind’, earning festival attention. He remains active in humanitarian work, which has been recognized with multiple industry humanitarian awards.

Donald Sutherland

Sutherland’s career spans more than five decades, with standout roles in ‘M*A*S*H’, ‘Ordinary People’, ‘Don’t Look Now’, and ‘The Hunger Games’ films. He received an Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement, acknowledging his extensive contributions to cinema. His accolades include Emmy and Golden Globe wins for television work such as ‘Citizen X’ and ‘Path to War’. He has collaborated with directors like Robert Altman, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Nicolas Roeg across American and European productions.

Alan Rickman

Rickman earned BAFTA and Golden Globe awards and widespread recognition for films such as ‘Die Hard’, ‘Sense and Sensibility’, and the ‘Harry Potter’ series. He won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for ‘Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny’ on television. His stage work includes Tony-nominated performances and Royal Shakespeare Company credits. Rickman also directed features like ‘The Winter Guest’ and ‘A Little Chaos’.

Kurt Russell

Russell’s credits range from John Carpenter collaborations like ‘Escape from New York’ and ‘The Thing’ to mainstream hits such as ‘Tombstone’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’. He transitioned from Disney child star to adult leading man, sustaining a long career in action and drama. His performances have earned Saturn Award nominations and strong cult followings. He has also appeared in Quentin Tarantino films including ‘Death Proof’ and ‘The Hateful Eight’.

Steve Buscemi

Buscemi is known for memorable roles in ‘Fargo’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’, and ‘The Big Lebowski’, plus directing credits like ‘Trees Lounge’ and ‘Lonesome Jim’. He won a Golden Globe and SAG Awards for television’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’. His indie film presence includes collaborations with the Coen brothers, Jim Jarmusch, and Terry Zwigoff. Buscemi has also been a frequent voice actor in animated features and series.

John Cusack

Cusack’s filmography covers teen classics like ‘Say Anything’ and acclaimed dramas such as ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘High Fidelity’. He has received Golden Globe nominations and Independent Spirit recognition. His producing credits include projects under New Crime Productions, supporting a mix of studio and independent films. He continues to work across genres, from thrillers to comedies to biographical roles.

Bruce Willis

Willis became a marquee action star with ‘Die Hard’ while also appearing in critical successes like ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ’12 Monkeys’. He earned Golden Globe and Emmy awards for television’s ‘Moonlighting’ and a guest appearance on ‘Friends’. His films have collectively grossed billions worldwide. Willis also performed on stage and released music albums, expanding his entertainment portfolio beyond screen acting.

Pierce Brosnan

Brosnan led the James Bond franchise through ‘GoldenEye’, ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, ‘The World Is Not Enough’, and ‘Die Another Day’, reinvigorating the series commercially. Outside Bond, he’s worked in hits like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, ‘The Matador’, and ‘Mamma Mia!’. He has earned Golden Globe nominations and produced films through his company Irish DreamTime. Brosnan has also pursued painting, with exhibitions and charity auctions supporting philanthropic causes.

Wesley Snipes

Snipes’ ‘Blade’ helped shape the modern comic-book movie era and proved a major box-office success. Earlier roles in ‘Jungle Fever’, ‘New Jack City’, and ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ showcased range across drama and comedy. He received a Volpi Cup for Best Actor at Venice for ‘One Night Stand’. His work includes action, independent projects, and later ensemble appearances such as ‘Dolemite Is My Name’.

Daniel Craig

Craig’s tenure as James Bond, spanning ‘Casino Royale’ through ‘No Time to Die’, delivered strong critical reception and franchise-record grosses. Beyond Bond, he led ‘Knives Out’ and its sequel, earning Golden Globe nominations for the Benoit Blanc character. His stage work includes Broadway appearances, such as ‘Betrayal’ and ‘Macbeth’. Craig has been recognized with BAFTA and Critics’ Choice acknowledgments across film and television.

Idris Elba

Elba’s screen career includes ‘Beasts of No Nation’, ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’, and franchise roles in ‘Thor’ and ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’. He has won a Golden Globe for ‘Luther’ and multiple SAG Awards. His additional credits span voice roles in ‘Zootopia’ and ‘Finding Dory’ and directing with ‘Yardie’. Elba also works as a musician and DJ, releasing EPs and performing at festivals.

Mads Mikkelsen

Mikkelsen earned international acclaim with ‘Another Round’, ‘The Hunt’, and ‘A Royal Affair’, alongside franchise appearances in ‘Rogue One’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’. He won Best Actor at Cannes for ‘The Hunt’ and multiple European Film Awards. Television work includes ‘Hannibal’, which brought Saturn and Critics’ Choice recognition. He frequently collaborates with Danish director Thomas Vinterberg and continues to work across languages.

Andy Serkis

Serkis pioneered performance capture with roles such as Gollum in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, King Kong in ‘King Kong’, and Caesar in the ‘Planet of the Apes’ trilogy. He has BAFTA and Critics’ Choice honors recognizing his contributions to the craft. As a director, he helmed ‘Breathe’, ‘Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle’, and ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’. Serkis also co-founded The Imaginarium Studios to advance performance-capture technology.

John Goodman

Goodman’s film credits include ‘Barton Fink’, ‘The Big Lebowski’, ‘Argo’, and voice work in ‘Monsters, Inc.’ and ‘The Princess and the Frog’. He has won a Golden Globe for ‘Roseanne’ and multiple Emmy nominations across television projects. Collaborations with the Coen brothers and other auteurs have yielded numerous festival and critics’ group honors. Goodman remains active on stage and in animation alongside live-action roles.

Tobey Maguire

Maguire led the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy and later returned to the role in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, both contributing to major box-office milestones. He earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations for films like ‘Wonder Boys’ and ‘Brothers’. His producing work includes ‘Good People’ and involvement with Material Pictures. Maguire has balanced franchise roles with dramas such as ‘The Cider House Rules’ and ‘Seabiscuit’.

Martin Sheen

Sheen’s film career spans ‘Badlands’, ‘Apocalypse Now’, and ‘The American President’, alongside extensive television work. He has multiple Emmy and Golden Globe wins and nominations, notably for ‘The West Wing’. Sheen has collaborated with directors like Terrence Malick and Francis Ford Coppola. He has also narrated documentaries and participated in stage productions throughout his career.

Robert Pattinson

Pattinson moved from ‘The Twilight Saga’ to acclaimed performances in ‘Good Time’, ‘The Lighthouse’, and ‘The Batman’. He has received Independent Spirit and critics’ group nominations and wins, plus festival premieres at Cannes, Venice, and Toronto. His collaborations include films with the Safdie brothers, Claire Denis, and Christopher Nolan. Pattinson continues to mix studio tentpoles with arthouse projects.

Michael B. Jordan

Jordan’s work includes ‘Fruitvale Station’, ‘Creed’, and ‘Black Panther’, with recognition from the National Society of Film Critics and the NAACP Image Awards. He made his feature directorial debut with ‘Creed III’ while continuing as a producer at Outlier Society. His television roles in ‘The Wire’ and ‘Friday Night Lights’ preceded significant film breakthroughs. Jordan has also been honored on various power and influence lists within the industry.

Tony Leung Chiu-wai

Leung has won Best Actor at Cannes for ‘In the Mood for Love’ and holds a record number of Hong Kong Film Awards acting wins. His international credits include ‘Lust, Caution’, ‘2046’, ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, and ‘Infernal Affairs’. Collaborations with Wong Kar-wai and other auteurs have drawn extensive critical acclaim. Leung’s work spans Cantonese, Mandarin, and English-language productions with broad festival recognition.

Jim Carrey

Carrey led major comedies like ‘Ace Ventura: Pet Detective’, ‘The Mask’, and ‘Dumb and Dumber’ while also earning strong notices for ‘The Truman Show’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’. He has multiple Golden Globes, including wins for dramatic and comedic roles. Carrey’s films have consistently performed worldwide, with several crossing major box-office thresholds. He has also authored books and produced projects for film and television.

Hugh Grant

Grant became an international lead with ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and continued with ‘Notting Hill’, ‘About a Boy’, and ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’. He has Golden Globe and BAFTA wins and nominations, plus television accolades for ‘A Very English Scandal’ and ‘The Undoing’. His career includes collaborations with Richard Curtis, Stephen Frears, and Guy Ritchie. Grant has also appeared in ensemble projects and darker roles that diverge from his romantic-comedy image.

Ewan McGregor

McGregor’s credits range from ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘Moulin Rouge!’ to ‘The Ghost Writer’ and franchise entries connected to ‘Star Wars’. He has a Golden Globe for ‘Fargo’ and an Emmy for ‘Halston’, reflecting sustained awards recognition in television. McGregor has directed and produced, including the feature ‘American Pastoral’. His work spans independent cinema and large-scale studio productions across multiple countries.

Jeff Daniels

Daniels has led and supported in films such as ‘Terms of Endearment’, ‘The Purple Rose of Cairo’, ‘Speed’, and ‘The Martian’. He holds multiple Emmys for television, notably ‘The Newsroom’ and ‘Godless’. Daniels founded the Purple Rose Theatre Company, developing new plays and supporting regional arts. His career alternates between studio features, independent films, and stage work.

Val Kilmer

Kilmer’s filmography includes ‘Top Gun’, ‘Willow’, ‘The Doors’, and ‘Heat’, with a mix of commercial successes and cult favorites. He received acclaim for portraying Jim Morrison and Doc Holliday, plus festival recognition for later documentary work in ‘Val’. Kilmer has performed extensively in theater, including a one-man show as Mark Twain. He has also contributed voice roles and returned for legacy projects tied to earlier hits.

Kevin Bacon

Bacon’s career spans hits like ‘Footloose’, ‘A Few Good Men’, ‘Apollo 13’, and ‘Mystic River’, with consistent critical recognition from guilds and critics’ groups. He has won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for television projects. Bacon’s work includes stage performances and music with The Bacon Brothers. He remains active across indie films, studio productions, and prestige TV.

Patrick Swayze

Swayze starred in ‘Dirty Dancing’, ‘Ghost’, and ‘Point Break’, delivering several of the era’s most-watched titles. He earned Golden Globe nominations for both drama and comedy projects. Swayze worked in television miniseries and stage productions alongside his film roles. His films have maintained enduring popularity through re-releases, streaming, and anniversary screenings.

Jackie Chan

Chan became a global action icon through Hong Kong cinema and crossover hits like ‘Rumble in the Bronx’, ‘Rush Hour’, and ‘Shanghai Noon’. He received an Honorary Oscar recognizing his lifetime achievements in film. Chan’s stunt team and inventive choreography influenced action filmmaking worldwide. He is also a prolific producer and singer, with numerous albums and philanthropic initiatives.

Shah Rukh Khan

Khan, a leading figure in Hindi cinema, headlined blockbusters such as ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Chennai Express’, and ‘Pathaan’. He has numerous Filmfare Awards and international honors, including festival tributes. Khan’s production company Red Chillies Entertainment develops films and visual effects work for multiple markets. He is known for extensive global fan engagement and major brand partnerships.

Toshirō Mifune

Mifune collaborated with Akira Kurosawa on classics including ‘Rashomon’, ‘Seven Samurai’, and ‘Yojimbo’, shaping international perceptions of Japanese cinema. He won multiple Mainichi Film Awards and international festival prizes. Mifune worked across genres—samurai epics, contemporary dramas, and war films—reaching audiences worldwide through distribution and retrospectives. He also appeared in American and European co-productions during his career.

Gael García Bernal

Bernal’s breakout roles in ‘Amores Perros’ and ‘Y Tu Mamá También’ led to international projects like ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ and ‘Old’. He has won a Golden Globe for television and received accolades from Cannes, Venice, and Berlin-affiliated juries and critics. Bernal co-founded the production company Canana Films, backing Latin American storytelling across film and documentary. His work spans Spanish- and English-language films, often premiering at major festivals.

Song Kang-ho

Song has anchored globally recognized Korean films such as ‘Memories of Murder’, ‘The Host’, and ‘Parasite’. He received Best Actor at Cannes for ‘Broker’ and has multiple Blue Dragon and Grand Bell Awards. Song frequently collaborates with directors Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook. His films have achieved significant international distribution and awards-season visibility.

Jason Statham

Statham stars in action franchises including ‘The Transporter’, ‘Crank’, ‘Fast & Furious’, and ‘The Expendables’. His films consistently perform in worldwide markets, with strong ancillary and streaming legs. Statham has also worked in ensemble comedies and heist films, including collaborations with Guy Ritchie. He frequently performs complex fight choreography and stunt-driven set pieces.

Dwayne Johnson

Johnson headlined global hits such as ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Moana’, and entries in the ‘Fast & Furious’ series. He has People’s Choice and Kids’ Choice awards and multiple recognitions for box-office performance. Johnson’s production company Seven Bucks Productions develops film and television across genres. He engages in voice acting, live-action leads, and reality-based projects.

Chris Evans

Evans is widely known for ‘Captain America’ titles and ensemble entries in the Marvel franchise, along with features like ‘Snowpiercer’ and ‘Knives Out’. He has earned recognitions from People’s Choice and various critics’ groups, plus Broadway credits. Evans has produced films and directed ‘Before We Go’. His career includes voice roles and advocacy work linked to civic projects.

Chris Hemsworth

Hemsworth’s filmography includes ‘Thor’ entries, ‘Rush’, ‘Extraction’, and ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’. He has achieved major global box-office tallies through franchise and streaming releases. Hemsworth produces via his company and collaborates frequently on action projects requiring extensive physical preparation. He also contributes voice roles and documentary appearances.

Kiefer Sutherland

Sutherland’s film credits span ‘Stand by Me’, ‘A Few Good Men’, and ‘Melancholia’, alongside extensive television work. He has won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for ’24’. Sutherland has released albums as a musician and toured internationally. His career includes stage performances and continued roles in film and streaming series.

Donnie Yen

Yen is a leading Hong Kong action star known for the ‘Ip Man’ series and international titles such as ‘Rogue One’ and ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. He has served as action director and producer on numerous projects, shaping modern fight choreography. Yen’s films are distributed widely across Asia, North America, and Europe. He is also a brand ambassador and frequent festival guest.

Gerard Butler

Butler’s body of work includes ‘300’, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Law Abiding Citizen’, and the ‘Has Fallen’ franchise. He produces through G-BASE, backing action and thriller projects with global appeal. Butler has balanced studio tentpoles with independent films premiering at festivals. He also voices characters in animated features and participates in charitable initiatives.

Elijah Wood

Wood starred in the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy and later focused on independent films like ‘Maniac’ and ‘Come to Daddy’. He co-founded SpectreVision, producing genre films that premiere at major festivals. Wood has extensive voice-acting credits in animation and video games. His work spans live-action, voice roles, and producing across film and television.

Share your picks in the comments—who else deserves a mention on this list?