Actresses Who Have Schockingly Never Been Nominated for an Oscar

Plenty of beloved performers have stacked up blockbuster hits, cult favorites, and major TV awards without ever hearing their name on Oscar nomination morning. Below are 40 actresses with long, diverse résumés—spanning festival standouts, critical darlings, and global box-office franchises—who, as of today, have never been up for an Academy Award.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz became a 1990s star with ‘The Mask’, then anchored hits like ‘There’s Something About Mary’ and ‘Charlie’s Angels’. She moved into prestige territory with ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Vanilla Sky’, drawing widespread recognition from other award bodies. Diaz has multiple Golden Globe nominations and a filmography that totals billions in worldwide gross. She also stepped away from acting for several years before returning to screens in the 2020s.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan defined the modern rom-com with ‘When Harry Met Sally…’, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, and ‘You’ve Got Mail’. She also ventured into drama with titles like ‘Courage Under Fire’. Ryan earned several Golden Globe nominations for her romantic leads and remains a key figure in late-20th-century Hollywood cinema. She has also directed, expanding her industry footprint beyond acting.

Zendaya

Zendaya broke out on television with ‘Euphoria’ and moved into features with ‘Spider-Man’ entries and ‘Dune’. She added a sports romance lead with ‘Challengers’, consolidating her big-screen profile. On television, she has collected top-tier awards for acting and producing. Her film career continues to mix franchise work with auteur-led projects.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner rose from ‘Alias’ to films like ‘13 Going on 30’ and ‘Juno’. She has led action thrillers, family adventures, and dramas, showing range across genres. Garner has earned accolades from television awards and producers’ organizations over the years. She also maintains a significant footprint in philanthropy and production.

Robin Wright

Robin Wright’s breakout came with ‘The Princess Bride’, followed by dramatic turns in ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘State of Play’. She later headlined ‘House of Cards’ and took on key roles in films like ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and ‘Wonder Woman’. Wright has directed episodes of high-profile series and features. Her career spans decades of prominent, varied work.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore transitioned from child stardom in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ to adult leads in ‘The Wedding Singer’, ‘Ever After’, and ‘Charlie’s Angels’. She launched a successful production company that backed titles like ‘Donnie Darko’ and ‘50 First Dates’. Barrymore has earned awards recognition from multiple film and TV guilds. She also hosts a nationally syndicated talk show, broadening her media reach.

Keri Russell

Keri Russell moved from ‘Felicity’ to acclaimed TV work in ‘The Americans’ and ‘The Diplomat’, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. On the film side, she has appeared in ‘Waitress’, ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’, and ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’. Russell’s career mixes prestige television with studio features and festival titles. Despite sustained awards attention on TV, she has never been nominated for an Academy Award.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson debuted in ‘Kids’ and built a résumé with ‘25th Hour’, ‘Rent’, and ‘Seven Pounds’. She has maintained parallel TV success in the ‘Star Wars’ universe as Ahsoka. Dawson has supported indie filmmakers and participated in festival-circuit releases. She remains active in documentary and social-impact projects alongside mainstream work.

Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen attracted early attention with ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’. She later balanced indie fare with major franchise roles as Wanda in the Marvel films. Olsen’s television miniseries work has collected significant awards recognition. Her filmography spans psychological dramas, thrillers, and period pieces.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Mary Elizabeth Winstead moved from ‘Sky High’ and ‘Final Destination 3’ to acclaimed turns in ‘Smashed’ and ‘10 Cloverfield Lane’. She has alternated between genre projects—like ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ and ‘Fargo’ (TV)—and intimate dramas. Winstead has also expanded into action with ‘Kate’ and franchise entries. Her career includes music releases and stage work in addition to film and TV.

Rebecca Hall

Rebecca Hall drew notice in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ and ‘The Town’, then led ‘Christine’ to strong festival notices. She made her feature directorial debut with ‘Passing’, earning writing and directing accolades from critics’ groups. Hall consistently appears in literary adaptations and period pieces. Her choices often favor complex, psychologically layered characters.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza’s film work ranges from ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ and ‘Ingrid Goes West’ to ‘Emily the Criminal’. She has maintained a strong television presence, including anthology and prestige series. Plaza’s producing credits have grown alongside leading roles in independent thrillers and dark comedies. Festival premieres and awards shortlists have frequently featured her projects.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson moved from the ‘Harry Potter’ series into ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’, ‘The Bling Ring’, and ‘Little Women’. She also starred in Disney’s live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’, a major global hit. Watson has balanced acting with work as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. Her post-franchise career includes selective roles and behind-the-scenes initiatives.

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu broke out with ‘Ally McBeal’ and film roles like ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’. She has sustained a long TV career with ‘Elementary’ and later ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ on the film side. Liu’s directing credits include episodes across multiple network and streaming series. She has also built an international profile in the art world.

Thandiwe Newton

Thandiwe Newton delivered acclaimed performances in ‘Crash’, ‘Mission: Impossible 2’, and ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. On television, ‘Westworld’ brought major awards and global visibility. Newton’s filmography includes collaborations with auteurs and franchise filmmakers. She has also worked extensively with charities and advocacy organizations.

Eva Green

Eva Green first drew international attention with ‘The Dreamers’ and then as Vesper Lynd in ‘Casino Royale’. She has worked across languages in European productions and English-language features. Green has led fantasy and historical projects such as ‘Penny Dreadful’ and ‘300: Rise of an Empire’. Her roles often involve stylized period settings and genre hybrids.

Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci’s career spans Italian, French, and English-language cinema, including ‘Malèna’, ‘Irreversible’, and ‘The Matrix Reloaded’. She has appeared at major festivals and in auteur-driven European films. Bellucci has also taken on high-profile supporting roles in franchises like ‘Spectre’. Her work bridges art-house cinema and large-scale commercial releases.

Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale moved from literary adaptations like ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ to the ‘Underworld’ franchise. She has also headlined dark comedies and period dramas, including ‘Love & Friendship’. Beckinsale works across film and streaming series with leading and ensemble roles. Her projects frequently mix action with dialogue-driven material.

Carla Gugino

Carla Gugino’s credits include ‘Sin City’, ‘Watchmen’, and ‘Gerald’s Game’. She has collaborated repeatedly with Mike Flanagan on limited series and features. Gugino alternates between indie dramas and studio releases, often in ensemble casts. Her stage and television work complements a steady film output.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw earned early acclaim with ‘Belle’ and ‘Beyond the Lights’. She has since appeared in projects like ‘Miss Sloane’, ‘Motherless Brooklyn’, and the series ‘Loki’. Festival premieres and critics’ lists have highlighted several of her performances. Her roles range from intimate character studies to effects-driven blockbusters.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston parlayed ‘Friends’ into a solid film career with ‘The Good Girl’, ‘Marley & Me’, and ‘Cake’. She has earned major television awards and has led both studio comedies and smaller dramas. Aniston expanded into producing with projects across film and streaming. Her on-screen work often pairs comedic timing with grounded, character-driven material.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez balanced music stardom with acclaimed performances in ‘Selena’ and ‘Out of Sight’. She added crime and ensemble dramas like ‘Hustlers’ to her résumé, earning wide industry attention. Lopez maintains active producing credits in both film and television. Her career spans studio tentpoles, indie films, and global tours.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Bryce Dallas Howard’s filmography ranges from ‘The Village’ and ‘Spider-Man 3’ to ‘Jurassic World’. She has led originals like ‘Black Mirror’ episodes and family adventures. Howard has become a sought-after director for television, including ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’. Her work often toggles between genre spectacle and intimate character pieces.

Rebecca Ferguson

Rebecca Ferguson broke out globally with ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ and continued through later franchise entries. She added prestige projects like ‘The Girl on the Train’ and science fiction with ‘Dune’. Ferguson’s roles frequently emphasize physicality alongside layered interiority. She continues to alternate between large-scale franchises and auteur-led films.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy emerged with ‘The Witch’ and expanded her range in ‘Split’, ‘Last Night in Soho’, and ‘The Queen’s Gambit’. She has taken on action and franchise roles including ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’. Taylor-Joy’s career bridges indie horror, period dramas, and stylized thrillers. She also works as a producer on select projects.

Jodie Comer

Jodie Comer moved from ‘Killing Eve’ to features like ‘Free Guy’, ‘The Last Duel’, and ‘The Bikeriders’. She earned major theater awards for ‘Prima Facie’ and transferred that acclaim to screen opportunities. Comer’s roles often center on morally complex, high-intensity characters. She has also begun to develop projects behind the camera.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz’s credits span ‘Big Little Lies’, ‘High Fidelity’ (TV), and films like ‘Dope’, ‘Kimi’, and ‘The Batman’. She has voice roles in animated hits such as ‘The Lego Batman Movie’. Kravitz also directs, with a feature debut that expanded her creative footprint. Her career blends mainstream franchises with indie dramas and thrillers.

Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson followed ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ with character-driven turns in ‘A Bigger Splash’, ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’, and ‘The Lost Daughter’. She mixes indie films with broader studio projects. Johnson has also produced features that reflect her offbeat taste. Her selections often favor ensemble casts and idiosyncratic directors.

Blake Lively

Blake Lively starred in ‘The Shallows’, ‘A Simple Favor’, and ‘The Age of Adaline’, showcasing thriller and romantic leads. She transitioned from ‘Gossip Girl’ into varied film genres, including action. Lively has also worked in fashion and entrepreneurship, complementing her screen career. Her projects frequently spotlight resourceful, modern protagonists.

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot reached global recognition with ‘Wonder Woman’ and returned for major DC entries. She has led action thrillers and ensemble heist films on streaming platforms. Gadot began with supporting roles before transitioning to headline status. Her filmography emphasizes action-forward characters and international productions.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe headlined classics like ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’, ‘Some Like It Hot’, and ‘The Seven Year Itch’. She was a marquee box-office presence and a pop-culture icon. Monroe’s performances combined musical numbers, comedy, and dramatic undertones. Her legacy includes collaborations with major directors and enduring cultural influence.

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot rose to international prominence with films such as ‘And God Created Woman’ and ‘Le Mépris’. She worked extensively in European cinema and became a global style figure. Bardot collaborated with directors including Roger Vadim and Jean-Luc Godard. Her career left a lasting imprint on 1950s and 1960s screen culture.

Linda Hamilton

Linda Hamilton is best known for Sarah Connor in ‘The Terminator’ and ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’. She also worked in television with ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and later returned to the franchise. Hamilton’s action roles influenced the portrayal of women in genre cinema. Her screen work spans thrillers, science fiction, and dramas.

Gong Li

Gong Li’s international acclaim includes ‘Raise the Red Lantern’, ‘To Live’, and ‘Farewell My Concubine’. She has collaborated with Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, helping bring Chinese cinema to global audiences. Gong also appeared in English-language films like ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ and ‘Miami Vice’. Festival juries and critics’ groups have honored her performances across decades.

Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi gained worldwide attention with ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and continued with ‘Hero’ and ‘House of Flying Daggers’. She worked in both Chinese and international productions, including ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. Zhang has received top awards and festival recognition in Asia and Europe. Her roles often fuse physical artistry with emotional nuance.

Tang Wei

Tang Wei broke through with ‘Lust, Caution’ and later impressed in ‘Blackhat’ and ‘Decision to Leave’. She works across Chinese and Korean cinema, collaborating with renowned directors. Tang’s performances often center on enigmatic, layered characters. Her filmography spans romance, mystery, and thrillers.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s global profile comes from films like ‘Devdas’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, and ‘Ponniyin Selvan’. She has appeared in international projects including ‘Bride & Prejudice’. Rai Bachchan is a frequent Cannes attendee and former festival jury member. Her career bridges Hindi cinema, Tamil epics, and cross-cultural productions.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson transitioned from ‘The X-Files’ to films such as ‘The House of Mirth’ and ‘The Last King of Scotland’. She has also earned major acclaim in series like ‘The Crown’ and ‘Sex Education’. Anderson performs on stage regularly, including award-winning turns in London. Her screen choices often adapt literary and historical material.

Claire Foy

Claire Foy followed ‘The Crown’ with features like ‘First Man’, ‘The Girl in the Spider’s Web’, and ‘Women Talking’. She has collected major television awards and led prestigious historical dramas. Foy’s film roles range from psychological thrillers to ensemble period pieces. She frequently collaborates with acclaimed directors across film and TV.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis moved from ‘That ’70s Show’ to films including ‘Black Swan’, ‘Friends with Benefits’, and ‘Bad Moms’. She has long-running voice work on ‘Family Guy’. Kunis alternates between studio comedies, psychological dramas, and action projects. She also produces, developing material across genres.

Have another name you’re shocked to see missing here—past or present—drop it in the comments and tell us which performance you think deserved a nod!