Over the years, we’ve watched many of our favourite film stars, directors, writers and musicians make their way onto the most prestigious stage in Hollywood, to accept Academy Awards.
Last year’s Oscars gave us first-time wins for Olivia Colman, Regina King and Spike Lee, but sadly, not everyone can triumph, and this means there are more than a few (highly-deserving) stars who’ve missed out, time and time again.
Here are 17 of the Hollywood actors who, surprisingly, still have an Oscar-shaped space on their mantelpiece (including one of this year’s most hotly-tipped contenders)…
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Amy AdamsPAArguably the new Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy has been nominated for six Academy Awards, most recently in 2019, only to leave empty-handed every year.
The good news for Amy is that Leo got his win on his sixth nomination, so she shouldn't have to wait too much longer. -
Bill MurrayGetty ImagesAt the Academy Awards in 2003, Bill Murray had been nominated for the Best Actor award for his part in Lost In Translation.
The story goes that he’d arrived at the ceremony so certain he’d be taking home the Oscar that when Sean Penn was announced as the winner, a stony-faced Bill Murray didn’t even applaud. Ouch.
He hasn’t been nominated for an Academy Award since, which we’re sure is just coincidence... -
Michelle WilliamsPA Archive/PA ImagesFour nominations and still no win, but there's plenty of time for the actress and trail-blazer to finally get some recognition from the Academy for her acting prowess.
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Sir Kenneth BranaghDia Dipasupil via Getty ImagesOne of Britain's most highly-regarded exports, Kenneth has received five Academy Award nominations for acting, writing and directing. Sadly, the gold statuette has alluded him each time.
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Glenn CloseGetty ImagesShe’s been nominated for an Academy Award a whopping seven times, yet Glenn Close has never won in her category.
All signs pointed to 2019 being her, after her critically-acclaimed performance in The Wife saw her triumph at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards, but the Best Actress Oscar ended up going to Olivia Colman that year.
Still, at least she can still boast holding onto that record of being the living actor with the most Oscar nominations under the belt, without a win. -
Sir Ian McKellenPAHe might be one of the most celebrated British actors of stage and screen, but apparently that’s not enough for Sir Ian to bag an Oscar.
The last time he was nominated was back in 2001, for his portrayal of Gandalf the Grey in the first Lord Of The Rings film. Surely an Academy Award for this acting giant is long overdue? -
Michelle PfeifferPAIn a career spanning more than three decades, Michelle has been nominated for an Oscar on three different occasions.
The Academy Award has always eluded her, though, even for her amazing performance as the leading lady in Grease 2. What an oversight. -
Toni ColletteMike Pont via Getty ImagesDespite massive critical acclaim for a number of her roles, and a nomination for The Sixth Sense, Toni has never managed to scoop an Academy Award.
We had been hoping that a second nod would follow for Hereditary in 2019, but sadly it wasn't to be, and the Oscars' much-noted aversion to nominating horror performances rages on. -
Christopher NolanKevork Djansezian / ReutersWhile many of Nolan's films have received awards, 2018 marked the year of his first ever Best Director nomination, with Dunkirk receiving a nod.
He lost out to Guillermo Del Toro, marking the Mexican filmmaker's first time receiving an Oscar. -
Angela BassettPA Archive/PA ImagesAngela is back in the spotlight thanks to Black Panther, but if you've missed any of her other recent efforts then, quite frankly, where have you been?
She is one of the most hard-working actresses in Hollywood, yet only has one Oscar nomination to her name, earned for playing Tina Turner in What's Love Got To Do With It. -
Samuel L JacksonJean Baptiste Lacroix via Getty ImagesDespite nearly 50 years (!) in the entertainment industry, Samuel L Jackson has landed just the one Oscar nomination.
Back in 1994, he was on the Best Supporting Actor shortlist – but lost out to Martin Landau on the night – for playing Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction. -
Tom CruiseGetty ImagesWith all the constant furore surrounding Tom Cruise’s personal life, it's often forgotten that he is a legitimate actor.
He has been nominated for three Oscars over the course of his career, although he’s never come out on top in his category. -
Sigourney WeaverDoug Peters/EMPICS EntertainmentSigourney's racked up three nominations over the years but sadly, the win has eluded her.
At the 1989 ceremony, she was up for both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress prizes, but lost out to Jodie Foster and Geena Davis, respectively. -
Michael KeatonDanny Moloshok / Reuters"Is this the year Michael Keaton finally wins his Oscar?" Vanity Fair asked, hopefully, in 2016.
Sadly, it was not and he didn't even win a nomination for the movie sparking the question, The Founder.
His 2014 nomination, earned for his star turn in Birdman, remains Michael's only Oscar-nominated role. -
Annette BeningHandout via Getty ImagesAnnette's performances in The Kids Are Alright, Being Julia, American Beauty and The Grifters all made the Academy's shortlist - but she was pipped to the post each time.
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Kathleen KennedyPA Archive/PA ImagesIt's not just A-lister actors who have lost out in years gone by as Kathleen – the superstar producer who co-founded a company with Steven Spielberg, and currently oversees LucasFilm – has never triumphed at the Dolby Theatre, despite eight nominations.
Over the years, Kathleen has produced more than 60 films, with box office takings that total over $611 billion, and still no Oscar? How? #JusticeForKathleen
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