The Academy Awards started in 1929. The first award ceremony was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with a crowd of about 270 people. The ceremony only took about 15 minutes back then because the winners had already been announced. Until 1940 the winners were told to newspapers until one year they leaked early. In 1941 they changed to using envelopes, which was a foolproof system all the way up until 2017 (La La Land).
We all love watching the Oscars. From the proud moments when someone really deserving wins, to the hosts and funny moments we always remember. The Academy Awards have now been celebrating all the corners of the film industry for ninety years this year. Obviously, unless you work for The Academy, it's hard to remember all the winners for Best Actor/Actresses. When you think of a talented actor, you just assume they have at least one Oscar. That's why it's surprising when you find out they actually haven't won one.
Go on and think of some talented actors, we bet one or two of the names in this list of amazing actors who have never won an Oscar. An honorary name that's not on this list is Gary Oldman as he has just won his first-ever Oscar at the Academy Awards this year. Finding out he had never won an award before was a big shock considering the talent and amazing movies he's made. Get ready to be surprised by this list, as the actors/actresses are so well deserving of Oscars, we can't understand why they don't have any!
10. JOHNNY DEPP
Johnny Depp shot to fame in the 80's for his heart-throb looks and has become a favorite household name. Johnny Depp started off interested in music, playing in a few bands as a teenager and into the early 80's. Before divorcing the sister of his bandmate, she introduced Johnny to actor Nicholas Cage. Unexpected, right? Cage told Johnny he should pursue an acting career, which he did by getting the role of Nancy's boyfriend in the 1984 horror classic, 'Nightmare On Elm Street', thanks to director Wes Craven's daughter. Johnny nearly didn't get the part except for Craven's 13-year-old daughter told her dad Johnny was beautiful, so Wes chose him.
Since then Johnny has proved that he's a very, very versatile actor and can play almost any role. From Edward Scissorhands to Captain Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, The Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka, Johnny has proved he's good at changing his appearance. He's also good at more serious roles like his thriller film 'The Secret Window'. That's why it's so unbelievable that not only has Johnny never won an Oscar, out of all his brilliant films he's only been nominated three times.
9. JAKE GYLLENHAAL
Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the most talented actors of our time, yet completely unrecognised by The Academy. Jake first started his acting career as an 11-year-old in the 90's comedy 'City Slickers'. He had a few roles, but his starting role was as the lead in the 1999 movie 'October Sky'. Jake really shot to fame and made himself a name as the lead role in the 2001 cult classic 'Donnie Darko'. We're still not really sure what the movie was about, but we're glad we got Jake out of it.
8. JOHN MALKOVICH
John Malkovich started off his career in theatre. Moving to New York from his hometown of Benton, Illinois, John starred in a few plays, 'Death Of A Salesman' won him an Emmy in 1985. He may not be as popular as Leonardo DiCaprio, but he is definitely just as talented.
He's got over 100 acting credits to his name, and he does crazy very well. John Malkovich has an acting career that's spanned four decades, and he's not slowing down. He first started in minor TV and film roles, before showing his talent in hit movies like 'Empire Of The Sun' alongside a young Christian Bale, 'Con Air' a movie that's so bad it's good and 'In The Line Of Fire'. John has got Oscar nods for 'In The Line Of Fire' and 'Places In The Heart', but no wins. Again we ask, why no Oscar nominations for the man who plays menacing so well?
7. HARRISON FORD
Harrison Ford is probably the coolest guy of all time. His movies have grossed nearly $5 billion dollars, making him one of the most successful actors at the box office, ever. When he first started acting, he was simply an extra on films, and then when he did get speaking roles, they weren't going anywhere. So he gave up and became a self-taught carpenter to support his then-wife and their two children.
He knew George Lucas through an audition Harrison did for 'American Graffiti', so Lucas hired the then carpenter Harrison to do some work on his house. It was then that Lucas was holding auditions for 'Star Wars' and asked Harrison to read opposite the actors auditioning. George Lucas liked how Harrison read as Han Solo, and the rest is multi-billion dollar history. Harrison went onto star in the 'Star Wars' franchise, 'Indiana Jones', 'Blade Runner' and more. He also had his critically acclaimed role as the lead in 'Witness' which he was nominated for an Oscar for. So for the man who is literally one of the most successful actors of all time, we can't understand why he has no Oscar.
6. TOM CRUISE
Tom Cruise may not be very popular as a person (Scientology is a whole different matter), but he is one of the most popular and successful actors out there. Like many others on this list, Tom started his career in the 80's. After a rough childhood with an abusive father, Tom decided acting was the way to go. At 19 his first role was a small part in the film 'Endless Love'. In 1983 three of the movies he starred in became 80's favorites, 'The Outsiders', 'All The Right Moves', and of course, 'Risky Business'. Then three years later 'Top Gun' was released, and Tom Cruise was pretty much cemented into the acting hall of fame. Some actors struggle to make it, and some just seem to fall right into place.
Since then Tom has made a multitude of films, including his franchise 'Mission Impossible' which never seem to end. Not only can he do action and comedy films, Tom Cruise is also a very talented actor at more serious dramas including 'Rain Man' and 'Magnolia'. Tom has been nominated three times for an Oscar but never won. Even though we disagree with him as a person, we still think his acting talent and versatility deserves an Academy Award.
5. SAMUEL L JACKSON
Samuel L Jackson has been working since 1972. He has over 170 acting credits to his name and he's one of the most notable actors of our time. Samuel first wanted to study Marine Biology before taking a drama class, falling in love and switching his major. We're glad he did because we don't want to imagine a world without Samuel L Jackson in it. The veteran actor is so good at comedy and action. He's been in nearly everything including the Marvel franchise with RDJ as 'Nick Fury.'
He's also had roles in 'Snakes On A Plane', 'Kingsman: The Secret Service', 'The Hitman's Bodyguard', and his Oscar-nominated role in 'Pulp Fiction'.He may be one of the funniest men in Hollywood but Samuel proved he can be serious with his role as Coach Carter in the much-loved drama film of the same name. He's also done serious roles in 'A Time To Kill', 'Jackie Brown', and 'Lakeview Terrace'. Samuel is one of those actors that you know for himself, not one of his characters. We don't understand how he hasn't won an Oscar yet.
4. ANGELA BASSETT
Angela Bassett may not be a name you immediately recognise, even though it should. Angela did some theatre in her early days before looking for more film roles. She moved to LA in 1988 and began her career with roles in 'Boyz N The Hood' and 'Malcolm X'. She did more films but her Oscar nomination was for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the 1993 film 'What's Love Got To Do With It'. Since then she has worked and worked and if she looks familiar, it's because you've definitely seen her on your TV at some point. She's had roles on your favorite TV shows such as 'ER' and 'Alias'.
She gained popularity again in 2013 for her recurring role on a couple of seasons of popular series 'American Horror Story'. With AHS each season has a different storyline, so even though she was on the one show, Angela Bassett showcased her talents as four different characters in the series. Give this woman credit where credit is due.
3. MICHELLE WILLIAMS
Michelle Williams is a brilliant actress but prefers to keep her private life out of the spotlight, which is why her name might not have clicked straight away. Michelle began her career by doing odd commercials here and there. At 15 she got emancipated from her parents, which her parents were alright with, so she could pursue her acting career without hassle to finish school. She said she regrets that decision, but we can't see why she would as an Oscar-nominated actress with millions! That could be just us, though. Her big breakthrough wasn't until she landed her TV role on popular teen drama show 'Dawson's Creek'. It was a big role for her and when it ended she went straight onto film, starting with a role in the 'Halloween' horror franchise alongside heart-throb Josh Hartnett.
She did a few minor movies, but her role in 'Brokeback Mountain' skyrocketed her to fame again and earnt her the first Oscar nomination. In that same year of 2005, she gave birth to her daughter, Matilda, who she shares with the brilliant but late Heath Ledger. She's starred in many fantastic movies since then including 'Shutter Island', and her three other Oscar-nominated roles in 'Blue Valentine', 'My Week With Marilyn', and 'Manchester By The Sea'.
2. HELENA BONHAM CARTER
You definitely know Helena Bonham Carter. She is usually seen alongside Johnny Depp in films. The British actress has been in a lot of popular movies since her debut, and she was once married to popular director Tim Burton. Like Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, Helena has no formal training in acting, it's just all natural talent. Helena is known for not having a particular type of role, she does anything from indie films to high budget productions.
Starting off in films which were mainly set in olden day England, she got her first Oscar nomination for her role in 1997's 'The Wings Of The Dove'. She then branched out into different films and became hugely popular in America for her role alongside Edward Norton in 'Fight Club'. She's very well known for her seven films with fellow actor Johnny Depp, including 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street' which was her second Oscar nomination. The list also includes: 'Corpse Bride', 'The Lone Ranger', 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory', 'Dark Shadows', and 'Alice In Wonderland' and it's sequel.
1. WILL SMITH
Will Smith is also in the running for coolest guy on Earth. Starting off with a rap career, turn way more successful acting career. He's been well-known and loved since he was in 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' in the 90's. Like Harrison Ford who's also in this list, Will has been in nearly every box office hit you know and love. As Fresh Prince was ending, Will kicked off his career with the much loved 'Bad Boys', then 'Independence Day, the starring in 'Men In Black'. He was only getting started and he was smashing out classic film after classic film. In 2001 he played Mohamed Ali in the biopic 'Ali' and got his first Oscar nomination.
He continued to keep himself a name in Hollywood, while also being a good husband to wife and actress Jada Pinkett Smith, their two children Jaden and Willow, and oldest son Trey. Will made the sequel 'Bad Boys 2' before getting into some more serious roles. His second Oscar nomination (which should have been a win) was for his lead role in 'The Pursuit Of Happyness' which starred his own son Jaden as his character's son in the film. Since then he's been in 'I Am Legend', 'I, Robot', 'Seven Pounds', 'Focus', and 'Suicide Squad' just to name a few. We wish Will continual luck with his career, even though he doesn't need it, and we hope to see him act for a long time.