The A-List Actors With the Most Oscar Nods—Still Waiting for a Win

Hollywood heavyweights, countless nods, zero wins — meet the ten most Oscar-nominated actors still chasing their first acting statuette.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Some of Hollywood's biggest names have been nominated for Oscars multiple times but have yet to win a competitive acting award. This article profiles 10 such actors, including Albert Finney, Irene Dunne, Michelle Williams, Bradley Cooper, Annette Bening, Thelma Ritter, Amy Adams, Richard Burton, and Peter O'Toole, detailing their impressive nomination histories and the reasons why they have not been able to secure that elusive first Oscar win.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges and frustrations faced by even the most acclaimed and respected actors in Hollywood, who despite critical acclaim and numerous nominations, have yet to be recognized with an Oscar win. It provides insight into the competitive and subjective nature of the Academy Awards and the factors that can influence who takes home the top acting prizes.

The details

The article profiles 10 actors who have received the most Oscar nominations without ever winning a competitive acting award. This includes Albert Finney with 5 nominations, Irene Dunne with 5 nominations all for Best Actress, Michelle Williams with 5 nominations, Bradley Cooper with 5 acting nominations and 12 total Oscar nominations, Annette Bening with 5 nominations, Thelma Ritter with a record 6 Supporting Actress nominations, Amy Adams with 6 nominations, Richard Burton with 7 nominations, and Peter O'Toole with 8 nominations, the most of any actor without a win. The stories behind their nominations and near-misses are explored, highlighting their impressive bodies of work and the reasons why the Oscar has eluded them thus far.

  • Albert Finney received his 5 nominations between 1964 and 2001.
  • Irene Dunne received her 5 Best Actress nominations between 1931 and 1948.
  • Michelle Williams has received 5 nominations since 2006.
  • Bradley Cooper has received 12 total Oscar nominations since 2012.
  • Annette Bening has received 5 nominations between 1991 and 2017.
  • Thelma Ritter received her 6 Supporting Actress nominations between 1951 and 1963.
  • Amy Adams has received 6 nominations since 2005.
  • Richard Burton received 7 nominations between 1953 and 1978.
  • Peter O'Toole received 8 nominations between 1963 and 2006.

The players

Albert Finney

An acclaimed British actor who received 5 Oscar nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor over his long career, including for films like Tom Jones, Murder on the Orient Express, and Erin Brockovich, but never won a competitive Oscar.

Irene Dunne

A classic Hollywood star who received 5 Best Actress nominations over her career, including for films like Cimarron, Theodora Goes Wild, and I Remember Mama, but never won a competitive Oscar.

Michelle Williams

A contemporary actress who has received 5 Oscar nominations for films like Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine, and The Fabelmans, and has won Golden Globes, but is still seeking her first competitive Oscar win.

Bradley Cooper

A versatile actor who has received 5 acting nominations and 12 total Oscar nominations as a producer and writer, for films like Silver Linings Playbook, American Sniper, and A Star Is Born, but has yet to win a competitive Oscar.

Annette Bening

An acclaimed dramatic actress who has received 5 Oscar nominations for films like The Grifters, American Beauty, and The Kids Are All Right, and has won Golden Globes, but remains without a competitive Oscar win.

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The takeaway

This article highlights the competitive and subjective nature of the Academy Awards, where even the most acclaimed and respected actors can be repeatedly nominated without ever winning a competitive Oscar. It serves as a reminder that Oscar recognition is not always a direct reflection of an actor's talent and body of work, and that the path to that first win can be long and elusive, even for Hollywood's biggest stars.