The Oscars. The glitz, the glamour, the golden statuette worth over R1.3 million. For many actors, it’s the ultimate prize.
But some of Hollywood’s finest have never taken one home. Here are five stars who, despite dazzling audiences, have never heard their name called on Oscar night.
JOHNNY DEPP AND THE OSCARS
Johnny Depp is a master of transformation. From Captain Jack Sparrow to Edward Scissorhands, unforgettable performances have been delivered by him
Yet, the Oscar has always slipped through his fingers.
Depp has been nominated three times, for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Finding Neverland, and Sweeney Todd, according to Time Magazine
Still, no win. As one fan put it, “He disappears into every role. How has he not won?”
GLENN CLOSE: THE HOLLYWOOD LEGEND
Glenn Close is Hollywood royalty. She’s been nominated eight times, for roles in films like Fatal Attraction and The Wife.
But the golden statuette remains elusive. Close once joked, “It’s better to be nominated than to never be noticed.”
ACTION MAN, TOM CRUISE AND THE OSCARS
Tom Cruise is a global superstar. He has run across rooftops, flown fighter jets, and even clung to the side of a plane.
With three Oscar nominations for Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia, Cruise has never won. However, he is due to receive an honorary Oscar soon.
Still, he’s one of the highest-paid actors, earning up to R2 billion per film. “I don’t do it for the awards,” Cruise once said. “I do it for the audience.”
SAMUEL L. JACKSON, THE MAN OF MANY FACES
Samuel L. Jackson’s voice is unmistakable. His presence? Unmatched. He has delivered iconic lines and unforgettable moments from Pulp Fiction to Django Unchained.
Yet, the Oscar has never landed in his hands. “I should have won for Pulp Fiction,” Jackson once quipped. “But I’m still here, and I’m still working.”
THE PRESTIGE OF RALPH FIENNES
Ralph Fiennes brings gravitas to every role. He has wowed critics and audiences alike from Schindler’s List to The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Fiennes has earned several nominations, but he still has not reached the Oscars. One Academy voter even admitted, “I thought he’d already won!” Sometimes, people simply take the best for granted.
These actors prove that awards do not measure true greatness. Their talent inspires millions.
As Glenn Close once said, “Awards are wonderful, but the work is what matters.” In the end, it’s the audience—South African and global—who decide who’s truly unforgettable.
WHICH ACTOR DO YOU THINK DESERVES AN OSCAR THE MOST?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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