What should be heavily emotional scenes end up amusing us. Or what should amuse us falls flat, earning these stars Golden Raspberries. Step aside Oscars. Now is the moment for the Golden Razzies. Grab your popcorn and sit back as we unveil the worst actors and actresses of all time.
Chuck Norris
This actor may have caused a torrent of jokes in early 2005, but they were not exactly praising his acting range. Norris was a black belt and top class in judo and Brazilian jujutsu and he might have starred in plenty of action movies with an abundance of fighting scenes and crazy stunts.
But his martial arts expertise could not cover his not-so-first-class acting. According to Rotten Tomatoes, he is the worst actor of all time with his movies averaging a rating of 18.4. Some stellar examples are “Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection,” “Firewalker,” and “Hero and the Terror.”
Ruby Rose
If a character is replaced with a new actress and character after one season, it does not say much about one’s acting abilities. Ruby Rose may have decided to leave “Batwoman” and kill off Kate Kane. Or producers did not want to burn their pockets any longer and asked Ryan Wilder instead.
But we are still asking ‘What happened to Kate Kane’. The answer can probably be found in the reviews. Scoring 3.4/10 on “IMDB” and 23% on “Rotten Tomatoes” with audiences is not exactly praise of Rose. Do you need any more proof? Rose’s thriller “Vanquish” scored even lower – 5% with “Rotten Tomatoes” critics.
Tom Green
With movie titles like “Freddy Got Fingered,” “Total Frat Movie,” and “Grind,” it is hard to expect something amazing from Tom Green. And you will not be disappointed. This actor has failed to deliver even with minor roles. Few films star Green as their lead and if we're going to be completely honest, we understand why.
When he is the lead, like the poor-in-taste “Freddy Got Fingered,” it earns 4.6 on “IMBD.” Green also picked up the Golden Raspberry for worst actor in 2001 with “Freddy Got Fingered.” At least, the actor demonstrated good sportsmanship and went to collect his Golden Razzie.
Lindsey Lohan
We may have a soft spot for Lindsey Lohan for giving us one of the best teen movies “Mean Girls.” Yet, subsequent performances have been seriously below par. In the late noughties, the actress tried to revive her acting career after there was too much interest in her private life. Sadly, Lohan’s career revival did not exactly occur.
Films like “Georgia Rule” may have not been nominated for any awards at the Razzies ceremony, but they garnered a fair amount of poor reviews. And then there was “I Know Who Killed Me.” Lohan took home two Razzies for this one for both of her incredible performances.
Sharon Stone
For a while, Sharon Stone could distract audiences from her acting by crossing and uncrossing her legs, but it soon became apparent that leg-crossing onscreen is one of her only talents – or her only talent. While “Basic Instinct” with the infamous leg-crossing scenes may have escaped the critic’s negative remarks that's where it ends.
In later productions like “The Specialist” and “Intersection,” the actress took home two Golden Raspberry awards for Worst Actress. A decade later in 2004, the actress earned her first Stinker award for Worst Supporting Actress in “Catwoman.” She did have a great performance in Martin Scorsese's classic movie "Casino."
David Hasselhoff
“Baywatch” may have put David Hasselhoff on the map, but it did not take him off the map for bad acting. The actor has been regularly voted the worst actor, being named the 49th worst actor by IMBD. Apart from the original “Knight Rider,” Hasselhoff has starred in a few productions that have scored over 6/10 on IMDB.
The “Sharknado” franchise has become a cult classic for being infamously bad, and we have to wonder about Hasselhoff's supposed acting talent if he takes on the role of Colonel Gilbert Shepard for the fourth installment “Of Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens.” Who on Earth is going to watch that?
Sofia Coppola
The “Godfather” franchise was looking flawless and heading for a perfect slam dunk. However, when the third one was released, “The Godfather III” it could not live up to the first two's incredibly high standards, and the whole franchise was forever tainted. What was the cause of this utter failing? That's right, folks. Nepotism.
Francis Ford Coppola’s daughter Sofia Coppola was given the role of Mary Corleone. Her deliveries managed to be both flat and overacted at the same time. It was hard to take her or the scenes she was in seriously. Fortunately, Coppola realized she was not made for acting and used her talents behind the camera instead.
Josh Hartnett
This actor may have been a crush for younger female audiences in the late 1990s and 2000s, but his acting abilities have not been lauded. We cannot exactly say that Harnett has not been given his big break. “Sin City” and Michael Bay’s “Pearl Harbor” were both box office hits, but the actor failed to make a lasting impression on audiences.
Recent productions where Harnett is the lead garnered low scores with both the audience and critics. The TV series “Valley of the Gods” achieved a mediocre 4.6/10 on IMDB. We have to admit though - we have a soft spot for the comedy "40 Days and 40 Nights."
Taylor Lautner
There were many audience members (but probably “Twilight” fans) who defended Taylor Lautner after his poor performance in the “Twilight” franchise, stating it was the books that were the poor source material for the saga and not his acting. Then, there was the action “Tracers” and the family-drama “Run the Tide” and still Lautner movies struggled to receive positive ratings.
“Run the Tide” scored 9% and “Tracers” 23% with “Rotten Tomatoes” critics, proving that it is not the genre, nor the source material, but the actor’s quality. Lautner really hasn't starred in many top movies over the last decade - and rightfully so.
Elizabeth Berkley
Sometimes one bad performance for an actor or actress can ruin their whole career. For Elizabeth Berkley, it was her frantic, overacted, and over-the-top performance in Paul Verhoeven’s “Showgirls.” Verhoeven’s films are not exactly known for their demanding roles or emotional storylines, but Berkeley failed to take off after starring in his film.
The actress was aiming to move on to more serious roles after starring in the teen series “Saved by the Bell,” but her big break just ended up with her winning the Golden Raspberry for Worst Actress. Berkley continues to disappoint with her recurring role on HBO's "The Idol."
Steven Seagal
Action movies hardly demand emotional output or the finest acting skills from their cast. Yet, even with action audiences, Steven Seagal's movies over the years have received their fair share of poor reviews. “Half Past Dead” scored 37% and “On Deadly Ground” 34% with “Rotten Tomatoes” audiences. The critics were not so kind.
The 2002-action got a dire 3% while the 1994-production a not-much-better 12% with the website’s critics. Seagal can be relieved that though he has been nominated three times for a Golden Raspberry, he has yet to add a Razzie to his trophy collection. Or any other acting awards, for that matter.
Kirk Cameron
This actor is not exactly a household name and there may be a reason why. Films starring Kirk Cameron tend not to heap in favorable reviews. “Left Behind II: Tribulation Force” scored 4.8/10 and “Extraordinary” 3.4 on “IMDB.” However, one notoriously bad performance put Cameron in much of the spotlight, namely, “Saving Christmas.”
The movie scored a dismal 1.3/10 on “IMDB.” Unsurprisingly, Cameron scooped up the Golden Raspberry for Worst Actor for his mismatched and inappropriate acting in the Christmas film. But if we're going to be completely honest, we would say that Kirk's sister, Candace, is a far superior actor to him.
Rob Schneider
Despite having a successful career lasting more than 30 years in showbiz, Rob Schneider is one of the worst actors. Adam Sandler had a big part to play in his rise to fame. His films are lighthearted and not exactly calling for displays of great emotion, but only Schneider has made an art of jeopardizing slapstick comedies.
“The Animal” scored 4.8/10 on “IMDB” and 30% with audiences on “Rotten Tomatoes.” “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” may have brought in average ratings but its sequel “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo” destroyed any of its predecessor’s mediocrity. We also fondly remember him playing that strange "you can do it" guy in "The Waterboy."
Drew Barrymore
Many will be surprised by this entry, but it is true that Drew Barrymore is not one of Hollywood’s finest. Barrymore has had a long career in film. Her career started off in 1982 with “E.T.” But that may have been more of a product of nepotism than talent, as director, Steven Spielberg, is her godfather.
Barrymore’s role in “Never Been Kissed” draws much criticism, but it is not her role in that film that earned her two Golden Raspberry nominations. Nor is it “Poison Ivy” or “Duplex” and both are rated poorly by audiences and critics. We have to say though, we really liked her in "Scream."
Hilary Duff
“Disney” is a well-respected production house paving the way for numerous talented stars. We will believe that when we see it. In fact, “Disney” may have iconic teen figures who are hits, but when those actors and actresses try to make it big on their own, we realize that “Disney” must have their blinkers on the whole time.
Hilary Duff’s music and TV career were jet-fueled by Disney. When Duff broke away to star in movies for more mature audiences like “Material Girls,” she only managed to add Golden Raspberry nominations to her credentials. She did become the lead of "How I Met Your Father" though.
Angelina Jolie
There are some who will be disappointed to see Angelina Jolie on the list. While the actress may have starred in some box-office hits like “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” and “Maleficent” the actress does not manage more than a couple of facial expressions, making her films somewhat lacking, of we'll be completely honest.
The much-anticipated “The Tourist” brought in unfavorable reviews – 21% with the critics and 42% with the audiences on “Rotten Tomatoes” – despite Jolie starring alongside the talented Johnny Depp. Though some might defend Jolie, she is one of five actresses to receive four Golden Raspberry nominations.
Owen Wilson
Interestingly, some of the worst actors have acting careers spanning decades. Owen Wilson is one such actor. Wilson is not exactly a bad actor. The problem is he is not really acting. His mannerisms, manner of talking, and personality are simply Owen Wilson’s. He is just not that different in “Wedding Crashers,” “Zoolander,” and “You, Me, and Dupree.”
Fortunately, his one and not very-layered on-screen persona is a likable guy allowing him to escape any Razzie nominations and bringing in simply mediocre ratings. The last memorable thing Wilson did was show up in the "Loki" series on Disney+. And it's OK.
Katie Holmes
Sadly, the classic “Batman Begins” could not save Katie Holmes from being recognized as one of the worst actresses. Nolan may have wanted the actress to return for the sequel, but viewers all breathed a sigh of relief when she did not. It's been a long time since her years on "Dawson's Creek," and it shows.
Holmes went on to star in “Mad Money” which scored 5.8/10 and “The Romantics” which scored 5.0/10 on “IMDB.” Recent films like “Alone Together” scored 5.2/10 on “IMBD” while “Brahms: The Boy II Liza” and “The Secret: Dare to Dream” landed the actress Razzie nominations.
Tara Reid
Things were looking up for actress, Tara Reid, in the early 2000s after the first two installments of the “American Pie” franchise and her role on the sitcom “Scrubs.” Then “Incubus” and “Unnatural Causes” happened, and Reid’s career took a nosedive. Her failure to launch in showbiz may be owing to Reid’s accepting every film, even “Sharknado.”
The actress did not learn her lesson after accepting the first one. There are five TV films making up the “Sharknado” franchise and Reid has taken the lead female role in every installment. And she really hasn't done that much recently, if we're going to be honest.
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry has certainly built a name for himself in Hollywood. While many actors rely on talent and natural ability, we can say that Perry has depended on other things to succeed in the entertainment industry - sheer hard work and dedication. While Tyler Perry’s “Medea” franchise has an unbelievable 11 films, the actor has walked away with two Golden Raspberry nominations.
One for Worst Actress (in drag) and he also walked away with a Golden Raspberry nomination for Worst Actor for “Alex Cross” and “Good Deeds.” To be fair, Perry did show up in the critically-acclaimed film "Gone Girl," but it was a pretty minor role.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
His role as Mr. Freeze in “Batman & Robin” has gone down as one of the worst performances in showbiz history. The movie, as a whole, was questionable and made have seriously impacted Chris O’Donnell’s entire career. But when it comes to Schwarzenegger, we cannot simply blame “Batman & Robin.”
Even before this campy Batman in 1997, Schwarzenegger had received two Golden Raspberry nominations for “Conan the Barbarian” and “Last Action Hero.” The actor has added two more nominations with his roles in “End of Days” and “The Sixth Day.” But in his defense, he has been in classics such as "The Terminator" and "Predator."
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Apart from the TV series “The Client List,” Jennifer Love Hewitt has not starred in a movie that has received even mediocre reviews from “Rotten Tomatoes” audiences. Even films that gave her some of the limelight have not exactly scored highly. Sure, she was a scream queen in '90s, but it's been years since that!
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” scraped 45% with critics and 41% with audiences. Let us not even speak about its sequel “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” with 29% from audiences and 7% from critics. And speaking of “The Client List,” the TV series only scored 6.5/10 on “IMBD.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
The actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, may have won the Oscar for Best Actress for “Shakespeare in Love,” but that does not alter the fact that she is still one of the industry’s most overrated actresses. A singular bad performance was in “Mortdecai,” earning her a Golden Raspberry nomination in 2015.
Before that, there was the 2010 romance drama “Country Strong” and the 2007 comedy drama “The Good Night.” Both flopped with critics and audiences on “Rotten Tomatoes.” There have been some movies starring Paltrow which have received favorable reviews like those in the “Avengers” franchise – just none where she is the lead.
Nicolas Cage
There are plenty of fans who will stand by Nicolas Cage and defend him as a legendary actor. These fans will name movies such as David Lynch’s “Wild at Heart” and the classic “Leaving Las Vegas.” The nature of these roles required Cage to play crazy, which he is very good at, but that is as far as Cage’s talents go.
In one decade (from 2006 to 2015), the actor was so bad he received 5 Razzie nominations as Worst Actor for films such as “Season of the Witch” and, probably his worst to date, “The Wicker Man.” To be fair, Cage has improved over the last few years.
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal may be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but these abilities are not so transferrable to the world of film. Currently, the actor is in position 24 for the worst actor of all time on “IMDB.”
One of his first roles as John Henry Irons in the 1997 production “Steel” should have made it clear to O’Neal that he was not made for acting. On “Rotten Tomatoes,” this fantasy-action scored a dismal 12% with critics and 19% with audiences. If we're going to be completely honest, Shaq should never have quit his day job or leave the court.
Adam Sandler
This actor has managed to pull off one of the biggest acting feats. For his roles as Jill Sadelstein and Jack Sadelstein in “Jack and Jill,” he took home the Razzie for the Worst Actress and Worst Actor. He also made up the cast of “Jack and Jill” – the film scooping the most Razzies in film history.
The actor has had a career-long of poor performances. He is in second place for the most Golden Raspberry nominations, having 12 in total. These include his roles in “Little Nicky,” “Hubie Halloween,” and “Blended.” With that said, Sandler gave one of his best performances in 2020's "Uncut Gems."
David Caruso
Who can forget David Caruso’s Lieutenant Horatio 'H' Caine on “CSI: Miami”? The internet certainly cannot. His over-the-top and trying-to-hard-to-be-cool mannerisms in “CSI: Miami” made him a popular target for memes and jokes on the internet. And it just gets worse for Caruso.
Other roles include “Jade” which scored 13% with critics and 28% with audiences on “Rotten Tomatoes.” There was also “Proof of Life” which fared better but still failed to win praise from the critics and audiences, though it starred big names like Meg Ryan and Russel Crowe. Caruso has been taking it easy in the acting department for a while now.
Katherine Heigl
Since “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Knocked Up,” Katherine Heigl has failed to convince the world of her talents. Not to mention that she was reportedly difficult to work with on both. After “Grey’s Anatomy,” the actress took up roles in “Killers,” “Home Sweet Hell’, and “One for the Money.” None of them have managed to rack up anything above a 6/10 on “IMDB.”
Heigl may have failed to appear on Hollywood’s radar, but the Golden Raspberries were paying attention. In total, the actress’s lack of ability has won her three nominations for Worst Actress, in roles in “Unforgettable,” “One for the Money” and “Home Sweet Hell.”
Pamela Anderson
We could make an outright statement saying that Pamela Anderson has never been cast in a movie for her acting abilities. TV show “Baywatch” and the film “Barb Wire” most likely listed several more important attributes, which Anderson was well-endowed with. Speaking of “Barb Wire,” as the film’s lead, it received some pretty poor reviews.
On “IMDB” it got an overall 3.4/10 and “Rotten Tomatoes” audiences were much harsher, awarding it 14%. Unsurprisingly, she picked up a Razzie nomination that year. Let's face it - Anderson has been getting acting jobs over the years for one good reason - and it's not her acting skills - that's for sure.
Alicia Silverstone
Things were looking up for Alicia Silverstone in the early to mid-1990s. Or rather Silverstone managed to offer viewers mediocre lead performances. “Clueless” and “The Crush” received fair ratings, but they were not at all generous, truth be told. Yet, after that, the reviews have just gotten poorer and poorer.
Recent productions such as “Sister of the Groom” (2020) scored 4.6/10 and “Last Survivors” (2021) 4.8/10 on “IMBD.” “Clueless” may be a teen classic but Silverstone was not required to display much emotional range in the film. And since then, she has failed to deliver a unique and captivating performance.
Sylvester Stallone
And the award for the actor with the most Golden Raspberries goes to… SYLVESTER STALLONE! The satirical and unapologetic, “South Park” is known for going after celebrities. Few celebrities are not ridiculed, and Sylvester Stallone is no exception.
One of the major weaknesses “South Park” pointed out about Stallone’s acting is that the actor’s lines are barely distinguishable. Not being able to hear what the actor is saying is hardly the hallmark of great acting no matter how exciting or action-packed the storyline. But you can't talk about Stallone without mentioning "Rocky." He was great in all of those movies, even the bad ones.
Ben Affleck
It must be both difficult and awkward for Ben Affleck to be best friends with the solid actor, Matt Damon. Best friend Damon has walked away with an Oscar, two Golden Globes, and three BAFTAs (British Academy Film Awards) while Affleck has only seemed to pocket Golden Raspberry nominations. Four to be exact!
In 2003, the actor took home the Razzie for his combined terrible roles in “Daredevil,” “Gigli” and “Paycheck.” Affleck’s career in the film industry has taken on a new positive note, as the actor has proven himself a capable director. In fact, his movie "Argo" won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Cameron Diaz
This actress can certainly do the ditsy girl-next-door types, but when a bit of diversity is required on Cameron Diaz’s part, well the part probably should not have been hers to play. Compared with the outstanding performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis in “Gangs of New York,” the actress’s own Irish accent seemed out of place and distinctly un-Irish.
Martin Scorsese’s excellent directing may have spared the actress a Razzie nomination but in her acting lifetime, Diaz has received four nominations. In 2014, Diaz, finally, won the dishonorable award proving her as one of the industry’s worst. And Diaz even took an acting hiatus for the good part of a decade.
Mariah Carey
She may be a phenomenal singer reaching really high notes, but this only applies to singing. When it comes to movies, even if she is playing the role of an up-and-coming singer, Mariah Carey’s range is flat. Honestly, Carey has had a few roles, but none of them have been stellar.
Lee Daniel’s “Precious” was a heavy film and Carey may have just gotten away with her role in the film, but apart from “Precious," any film starring this singer has enjoyed subpar reviews. The most notable in her filmography is “Glitter.” Its score on “IMBD” was a miserable 2.4/10.
Keanu Reeves
This actor is a bit of a mixed bag. Movies such as “The Matrix” have gone down in history as one of the best, a permanent fixture of “IMDB” Top 100 Movies. But then there was “Hardball,” “Sweet November” and “Chain Reaction” among others.
It is true that there are plenty of good Keanu Reeves films, but when they are bad, they are really bad. Recent films where Reeves is the lead like “Siberia” was given 17% and “Replicas” 32% with “Rotten Tomatoes” audiences. But there is no denying that Reeves has taken action movies to another level with his role as John Wick.
Haydn Christensen
One has to ask oneself why movies keep starring Hayden Christensen. “The Last Man” scored a 0% with “Rotten Tomatoes” critics. “Outcast” managed to improve on this low score, getting a whole 4% with the critics on this website.
Still not convinced about this Canadian actor being one of the worst, both “Little Italy” and “American Heist” got 13% with the same webpage’s critics. No matter the genre – whether it is Romance, Action, or Action History (huh?) – if Christensen is in the lead, it is destined to bring in poor reviews.
Jaden Smith
In showbiz, there are many lessons to learn about nepotism. One of them is Jaden Smith. With both his parents enjoying successful careers spanning two decades, the road to stardom was open to Jaden Smith. But talent is apparently one thing you can’t just inherit.
In “The Day the Earth Stood Still’, the film scored just 27% with audiences and 20% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Jaden Smith pulled off another incredible feat, turning out an even worse performance in “After Earth.” Smith was so senselessly overdramatic that he won a Razzie. We just hope that he doesn't try to emulate too many of her parents' characteristics.
Kristen Stewart
The “Twilight” franchise did not exactly cement Kristen Stewart as an outstanding actor. Year after year, Stewart was nominated for worst actress as Bella Swan in the saga. Interestingly, it was in the final installment that she went home with the Golden Raspberry for Worst Actress.
Vacant stares, pouting, mouth-biting, and heavy breathing are not exactly signs of strong acting abilities. To add to her repertoire, there is “Seberg,” “Anesthesia,” and “On the Road” – all of them flopping with critics, audiences, and the first two, massive box office busts. We have a feeling that Stewart might end up becoming a good actress with time. After all, she's still young.
Megan Fox
Director Michael Bay may have tried to reverse the stereotype of the brainless bombshell in the “Transformers” franchise, but he certainly failed in this endeavor by casting Megan Fox for the role. We can blame Bay for creating the shallow character Mikaela Banes which Fox got a Razzie nomination for.
There have been three other Worst Actress nominations including Fox’s roles in “Jennifer’s Body,” “Jonah Hex” and “Midnight in the Switchgrass.” More indicative of Fox’s acting failures are box office figures – the latter dismally coming short of $100,000. If it wasn't her relationship with Machine Gun Kelly, we're not sure if we'd still be interested in her.
Bo Derek
Born Mary Cathleen Collins, who would later be known as Bo Derek, took the easy route to stardom. She married director, John Derek who starred her in his not-erotic not-R-rated romantic “Fantasies.” Bo Derek is a case in fact that you need the talent to get to the top.
Two of her highest-rated films on “Rotten Tomatoes” have been given 54% and 41% by the website’s critics. And these are her mostly highly rated! If stardom was what Derek wanted, then she certainly got it. Three Razzies decorate the actress’s cabinets. Derek most recently showed up on the Spanish edition of "The Masked Singer."
Paris Hilton
She had one good performance playing herself which put her on the showbiz map and that was not in “The Bling Ring” – if you know what I mean. Unfortunately, it was aimed at “adult’ audiences and not the kind that enjoys a mature production, with meaningful character development.
Paris Hilton just may be the graveyard of all movies. “The Hottie and Nottie” with its laughable lines and lack of storyline scored 6% with “Rotten Tomatoes.” And what is worse, is “National Lampoon’s Pledge This” fared even worse, achieving 0% on the website. To be honest, it's a bit of a stretch to even call Paris Hilton an actress.
Jennifer Lopez
Her cringe-worth performance in “Gigli” has gone down as the worst in film history. With the exception of embarrassing seduction scenes, the actress seems to be out of place and wanting enthusiasm in much of the film. While “Gigli” is certainly her worst to date, there are several contenders for the no.2 spot.
These include J-Lo’s role as Marisa Ventura in “Maid in Manhattan,” Ramona in “Hustlers” and Claire Peterson in “The Boy Next Door.” She has been nominated four times for a Golden Raspberry for Worst Actress, making her a regular Razzie contender. Nice to see her on the same list as her husband.
Demi Moore
This two-time Razzie win has quite a collection of poor performances. It might be possible that Demi Moore simply has chosen bad roles. If the roles are decided by her agent, then maybe Moore just needs a new agent. After three decades in the film industry, Moore’s films continue to rate poorly.
Even a film that requires emotional depth like “The Scarlett Letter” did not exactly blow us away. It scored 41% with audiences and 13% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Truth be told, Moore's best years were back in the 80s in classic flicks such as "St. Elmo's Fire."
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy has a knack for racking up Golden Raspberry nominations. During the late noughties, the actor was a regular on the list of nominations, appearing consecutively in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Murphy reached an all-time low with “Norbit.” The film scored 4.1/10 on “IMDB,” but “Rotten Tomatoes” obliterated it, giving it 9%.
It goes without saying that Murphy took home the Golden Raspberry on that occasion. The sequel “Coming 2 America” did not help to revive Murphy’s reputation, garnering all-around terrible reviews. But let's face it - he is still one of the funniest guys in the history of TV and film.
David Spade
There is no denying that David Spade has been making people laugh for a long time - but that's as far as it gets. Films such as “The Wrong Missy,” “Joe Dirt” and “Grown Ups 2” do not exactly demand much of David Spade. The actor may fashion himself as a stand-up comedian and keep applying for comedy roles, but all his jokes generate are awkward laughs.
Speaking of awkwardness, instead of convincing audiences that Tim Morris was falling for the “wrong” Missy, Spade just seemed awkward throughout the movie. It is hard not to see why the film scored 32% on “Rotten Tomatoes” and 5.7 on “IMDB."
Mandy Moore
When your highest-rated movie is an animation for which you did the voice-over, it does not say much about your acting range. Mandy Moore has throughout a two-decade-long career produced few noteworthy performances. The actress sticks to mostly type-cast roles in romantic films, and still, the roles prove too demanding for her abilities.
“Chasing Liberty” her first big film after the soppy “A Walk to Remember” scored an abominable 18% with “Rotten Tomatoes” critics. Two decades later, she’s still at it. In 2017, “47 Meters Down” scored 35% with viewers. But Moore's work on "This Is Us" has been nothing short of majestic.
Melanie Griffith
While this actress may have not had the pleasure – or rather displeasure – of winning a Golden Raspberry, she still should not be too sure of her acting abilities. Melanie Griffith may have managed to escape winning the awful title of Worst Actress on six different occasions.
But she has managed to keep producing films that rate poorly. And even time has not helped. Recent productions like “Tempo” received 14% and “The Night We Called It a Day” got a pathetic 28% with “Rotten Tomatoes” audiences. In both films’ cases, the critics did not devote any time to reviews.
Miley Cyrus
This singer may have a voice made for singing, but her talents are not transferrable to the world of acting. “Hannah Montana” fans may have caused this actress to believe in her talents, but when she left the Disney nest, it became clear to audiences everywhere that she should stick to singing. And Cyrus has done so.
Since 2015, the actress has not made another go at acting. Films such as “So Undercover,” “LOL,” and “The Last Song” were poorly received. The actress earned herself two Razzie nominations in “Hannah Montana: The Movie” and “The Last Song.” But her singing career has been successful, in contrast.
Madonna
Madonna may be the Queen of Pop, but she is also the Queen of Terrible Acting. Her stand-out worst role was in the remake “Swept Away” where she stars as the spoilt and rich Amber Leighton, who fails to convince audiences that she is falling in love with the deckhand, Giuseppe Esposito.
Madonna to-date has won the most Golden Raspberries, possibly proving that one should stick to one’s path. Whether it is erotic thrillers like “Body of Evidence” or biographical pics like “Truth or Dare,” Madonna always manages to create another insipid performance. She was pretty good in "A League of Their Own."
Tommy Wiseau
There is one actor who has achieved what no other performer has in the history of showbiz - being called the worst actor of all time after just one role. Tommy Wiseau has made such an art of bad acting that even James Dean’s famous line “You’re tearing me apart” has become as much associated with Wiseau as with Dean.
“The Room” is a cult classic. It serves as a cornerstone and memento of overacting, underacting, and just plain weird acting. Audiences organize cinema reruns of “The Room” just to praise his deplorable acting and have a chuckle. There was even a movie made about the making of "The Room," which was actually really good.
Quentin Tarantino
Regarded as one of the best American filmmakers of all time, Tarantino’s movies have become an essential part of popular culture. Without a doubt, as a writer and director, this Tennessee native is beyond brilliant, but, as an actor, not so much.
Like many other directors that also love acting in their own films, Tarantino has made an appearance in several of his projects, including “Django Unchained,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Reservoir Dogs,” and tons of others. Now, while he often does short quirky cameos and seems to just appear on camera for the fun of it, his acting skills are less than average, often pulling the viewers out of the story due to his awkwardness onscreen.
M. Night Shyamalan
Another director who turned into a wannabe actor is M. Night Shyamalan. The master of horror skyrocketed to fame with his 1999 masterpiece, “The Sixth Sense,” and he’s continued to write amazing and terrifying films ever since. However, he’s also become a fan of appearing in his own films, which honestly, doesn’t really help matters.
Although Shyamalan usually limits himself to cameos, there’s enough time to realize his lack of experience in front of a camera. Not only does his acting seem bland, but it seems to serve absolutely no purpose for the film’s plotline. He should definitely stick to writing and directing.
Mark Wahlberg
We are all big fans of Markie Mark, but if you make an honest list of every performance Mark Wahlberg has ever done, you’ll realize he’s not a great actor. He’s definitely been lucky enough to act in award-winning films like “Boogie Nights” and “The Departed."
But if you examine his roles and script lines, you’ll see that Mark is mostly hired for his handsome looks and tough guy attitude. Apart from looking (very) pretty and swearing a lot, Wahlberg rarely does much more in his films. And while we’re all for him continuing to appear in light comedies like the “Ted” movies, we’re sure we won’t see this heartthrob winning any Oscars anytime soon.
50 Cent
While we are all fans of rapper 50 Cent’s music, we recognize that acting isn’t his strong suit. Although some of the films he’s appeared in have been high-grossing action hits, like “Escape Plan,” “Spy,” and “Den of Thieves,” Curtis Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent, always plays the same character.
And even then, they’re not very personable. While his live performances are always crowd-pleasing shows, it seems that performing in front of huge audiences isn’t this rapper’s problem. Perhaps the camera makes him nervous? In any case, we hope he keeps focusing on his beats and leaves the acting aside.
Hulk Hogan
The famous retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan is a favorite in the ring, but not on the silver screen. Like many other wrestlers that tried to crossover into film, Hogan’s talent is definitely limited to the wrestling arena.
Not surprisingly, he’s always cast in films as the character he played in the ring for so many years, but even so, the whole thing was just awkward. We will say one thing in Hulk’s defense – none of the films he’s been in have been very good, to begin with. His 1993 movie “Mr. Nanny” has a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Yikes!
Pauly Shore
Pauly Shore is one of those guys that everybody wishes they had as a friend – the man is hilarious and highly entertaining. But that doesn’t mean he should be acting. Shore went from being a stand-up comedian to an MTV VJ, to making his acting debut in the 1992 cult classic “Encino Man.”
The movie got bad ratings, and so did Shore’s performance, but that didn’t stop him from acting. From awful movies like “Bio-Dome,” “Jury Duty,” and “In the Army Now,” Shore has made bad acting into an art. You’ve got to applaud his persistence, but we would strongly advise him to go back to stand-up.
Eddie Griffin
Despite the fact that his first starring role was in a movie that was actually pretty good, “Undercover Brother” was the first and last time that Eddie Griffin’s acting potential seemed to have a future. Getting his start in comedy, Griffin’s talent lies in stand-up, and we think he’s realized this by now.
It did take him a few botched attempts, though – his roles in the “Deuce Bigalow” films weren’t exactly award-winning. It seems to be the general consensus that Griffin should stick to stand-up and leave the big screen behind; he has a 24% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Now that’s got to sting a little.
Jessica Alba
The gorgeous Jessica Alba is an amazing businesswoman, model, mother, social media influencer and many other things. But actress is not one of them. Her acting isn’t so much bad as it is bland – she seems to play the same character in every single movie: the sweet girl who never has much to say.
She definitely deserves credit for her dancing chops in the 2003 film “Honey,” and the woman has managed to land roles in blockbuster hits like “Into the Blue,” “Sin City,” and play Susan Storm in “Fantastic Four.” But can you think of any recent films she’s acted in? That’s’ because she hasn’t, since she probably realized her true passion, and talent, lies in her entrepreneurial spirit.
Denise Richards
Former fashion model Denise Richards is arguably one of the most beautiful women in the world. In fact, her role as Kelly Van Ryan in the 1998 film “Wild Things” earned her the title of sexiest woman alive. But a woman can’t have it all, and Denise has all the looks, but not so much of the acting talent.
Her roles in “Starship Troopers” and “The World Is Not Enough” are further proof that Richards should stick to the runway. Or reality TV – we were all super excited to see her join the cast of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Not award-winning, but definitely entertaining. Then again, who needs an Oscar when you look like that?
Larry Miller
You may have noticed Larry Miller popping up in various comedy flicks as the funny guy on the sidelines – it’s hard to forget Kat Stratford’s geeky dad in “10 Things I Hate About You.” But it's hard to imagine why this seasoned 60-something actor hasn't had his shot at the lead role in a major movie. He's been playing supporting parts in hit films like “The Princess Diaries,” “Dilbert,” and more.
So, what has been keeping him from reaching the top of the food chain? Rumor has it that Miller's stuck in a typecasting mold. One Rotten Tomatoes user went as far as saying that his 2012 comedy, “General Education,” felt like "a strained collection of outtakes from other comedies." Unfortunately for Miller, he’s officially been ranked by IMDB as one of the 30 worst actors of all time. Perhaps not such a fair ranking.
Heather Locklear
Heather Locklear skyrocketed to fame in the early 90s with her portrayal of Amanda Woodward on the famous “Melrose Place.” But while many credit the show's success to Locklear’s performance, some people have a very different opinion of the blonde bombshell. In fact, her performance actually landed her a spot on IMDB’s worst actresses list.
According to one critic, Locklear's character is their least favorite on the entire show. The critic went on to describe Locklear's acting as "quite mean," and some cast and crew members have described her to be not so different in real life. Regardless, apart from some B-movies after the show, Locklear pretty much disappeared from the spotlight, proving her talent was never really that much, to begin with.
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake may hit all the right notes and be an incredible performer on stage, but his stint as a Hollywood actor has received mixed reviews. "He might be able to carry a tune, but he can't carry a movie on his own," says a Rotten Tomatoes critic who slammed Timberlake's performance in "Runner Runner."
And they’re not alone in that opinion – the pop star has faced endless backlash for his onscreen skills. For instance, his acting in the 2011 romcom “Friends with Benefits,” with co-star Mila Kunis, was fun and light, but definitely not a movie you’d watch for a second time. Perhaps it may be time to just stick to music, Justin.
Addison Rae
Addison Rae may have risen to fame on TikTok, but she never planned to stay there. In little less than a year, this multi-talented young star managed to secure her own Netflix deals and even went on to pursue a music career. However, not everyone thought this was a positive move; critics were negative, but one thing's for sure: Addison Rae is an ambitious young lady.
The highly-anticipated acting debut of the young star back in 2021, in the Netflix movie “ He’s All That” left both fans and critics disappointed. The movie was deemed "rotten" by Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic even going as far as saying it's a "learning lesson about how anyone can be an actor now, regardless of one's (lack of) qualifications or talent for the craft." Ouch.
Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher made his acting debut playing the clumsy Michael Kelso in “That 70’s Show,” and let’s just say his character wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. After playing Kelso for so many years, Kutcher seemed to get typecast as the handsome “dimwitted” sweetheart in every rom-com he starred in.
But apart from his role in “The Butterfly Effect” and 2013’s “Jobs,” the biopic about the Apple founder, Kutcher has stuck to playing the dumb jock. Many critics have said he just seems to have never grown out of the typecast, which is a real possibility. However, it is also quite possible that this pretty-faced actor never knew how to really act.
Stephen Baldwin
Being a part of the Baldwin family dynasty practically guarantees a spot in Hollywood, which is why Alec Baldwin’s brother Stephen probably got cast to begin with. However, that doesn’t mean he has any earth-shattering acting skills.
In fact, apart from supporting roles in “The Usual Suspects” and “Born on the Fourth of July,” you’ve probably never even heard of the movies he’s been in. Stephen was smart enough to leave acting aside and focus on being a producer and enjoying family time with his far more talented brother, Alec. And let’s not forget, he’s the father of the gorgeous Hailey Bieber, so, we guess Steve has just learned to enjoy fame by proxy.
Jennifer Garner
Another example of an actress that’s been cast more for her looks than her talent is Jennifer Garner. This Texas native got her acting break when she was cast as the star of ABC’s thriller show “Alias” in 2001. Then she landed a supporting role in “Pearl Harbor,” starred in “13 Going on 30,” and played an alluring assassin-for-hire in “Elektra.”
These movies might have made money at the box office, but it had little to do with Garner’s acting. We don’t know why Garner is always typecast as the naïve, sweet woman that ends up being quite bland, but in any case, this actress has landed in several “Worst Actresses” lists.
Malin Akerman
Stunning Swedish model Malin Akerman should have stayed on the cover of fashion magazines instead of transitioning to the silver screen. This gorgeous actress landed supporting roles in some major romcoms of the mid-2000s. She played an insanely overbearing wife in “The Heartbreak Kid” alongside Ben Stiller, an annoying sister in “27 Dresses,” and a crazy ex in “The Proposal.”
And let’s not forget her small role as the hottie in the cult comedy “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.” However, apart from adding some visual beauty to the production and maybe some laughs, there’s a reason that Akerman has always secured only small roles. But hey, at least she can go back to modeling.
Kevin James
This famous “King of Queens” may have made his fortune playing Doug in the hit sitcom that ran for almost ten years, but his subsequent movies were less than average. And so was his performance. Kevin James has stuck to comedies his entire career.
And even though you will have a good time watching his “Mall Cop” movies or seeing him as a nerd in “Hitch” and “Grown-Ups,” the truth is there’s much better comedy out there. James is great for small-time sitcoms, but when it comes to big-time productions, this comedian is not exactly about to win any awards.
Kate Beckinsale
Another beauty that has landed herself on IMDB’s “Worst Actresses in Hollywood” list is Kate Beckinsale. This gorgeous brunette started her career after her role in the 1993 film “Much Ado About Nothing,” and she continued to secure minor roles in film and TV.
Then she starred in the box-office hit “Pearl Harbor” and the famous romcom “Serendipity,” but Kate’s talent was always looking pretty and being sweet – having too many lines or award-winning acting was never on her docket. And even though she has probably raked in millions by playing the feared Selene in the “Underworld” film series, let’s just say this sweetheart is lucky to have her looks.
Mischa Barton
After playing rich teenager Marissa Cooper on Fox’s hit drama “The OC,” Mischa Barton became Hollywood’s “it” girl back in 2003. But in all honesty, can you remember her acting in anything else? That’s because apart from a few minor roles in B-movies and some quick cameos, Barton practically disappeared from the spotlight.
She enjoyed her 15 minutes of fame as the star of a hugely popular teenage soap opera, landed some modeling jobs, was on the cover of ‘Teen Magazine’ and ‘People’ more than once, and then kept to herself. Perhaps it was for personal reasons, but let’s be honest, we can’t really imagine Barton getting overwhelmed by the number of job offers.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
We all loved Freddie Prinze Jr. ever since he starred in the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” film series. I mean how could you not love the incredibly handsome, humble and heroic Ray Bronson? And then we got to see him as the high-school jock Zack Siler in the 90s cult classic “She’s All That” and fell for him all over again.
But eventually, it became obvious that Freddie’s power was looking gorgeous onscreen and making teenage girls sigh, and that’s pretty much it. As for his acting talent, we believe he himself realized it wasn’t his forte, and decided to retire from Hollywood altogether. One thing he is apparently amazing at is being a husband to Sarah Michelle Gellar. It’s all about finding your niche, Freddie.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez has been on TV since she was a child – first on “Barney and Friends,” and then in the hit Disney series “The Wizards of Waverly Place.” Her leading role in the latter show was what catapulted the young star to fame, but there’s a reason she focused on her music career.
Gomez is far better at singing and performing than she is at acting. Although we will say that her new show “Only Murders in the Building,” alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short has been a hit, her performance is not exactly worthy of an Oscar. We hope she focuses on her music in the future.
Jason Biggs
Although he rose to fame as one of the stars of the cult classic 90s film “American Pie,” and all of its sequels, Jason Briggs’s career slowly went in decline after that. Briggs kept on being cast as the nerdy loser that was always too sweet and kind to get the girl he wanted.
But even his fun romcoms got terribly rated on Rotten Tomatoes, with “My Best Friend’s Girl” getting a 14% and “Loser” a 24% rating. In fact, his latest film “The Subject,” released in 2020, was a total flop; we bet most people didn’t even hear about it.
Matthew Lillard
If there’s one thing we can say about Matthew Lillard is that he’s always been well-cast. His roles in “She’s All That,” “Scream,” and “Scream 3” are always of the goofy, carefree, sometimes dimwitted teen that’s always there for some laughs, but little else.
Let’s not forget his most famous role of Shaggy Rogers in the “Scooby Doo” film franchise – another character he plays to perfection. But just as Lillard has never gotten cast in a more meaningful, bigger-budget production, his acting has never reached award-winning heights. But hey, better to play it safe than sorry.
Vanessa Hudgens
Another Disney queen that made her way to the silver screen in Vanessa Hudgens. After her fame in the “High School Musical” film series, Hudgens landed some family movies and romcoms, and that’s exactly where she stayed – so did her talent. The beautiful young actress has done a great job in light, fun movies like “The Princess Switch.”
But apart from “Spring Breakers,” which didn’t exactly get high praises, Hudgens has never been cast for a blockbuster role. Luckily, that doesn’t seem to have stopped her from having a very lucrative career. With her voice-over gigs, her supporting roles, and modeling jobs, Hudgens makes a very good living.
Josh Duhamel
Not surprisingly, heartthrob Josh Duhamel started his career as a model, and then transitioned into acting when he first appeared on screen in “All My Children.” He then starred in the popular NBC show “Las Vegas,” and then went on to star in some light romcoms like “Life as We Know It,” alongside Katherine Heigl.
Duhamel seems to always get cast as the hot, not-so-nice jock that ends up transforming into a nice guy. And as bland as that description seems, his acting is not far off. His most recent film, “Shotgun Wedding,” in which he co-stars with Jennifer Lopez, got a 5 out of 10 rating on IMDB.
Roseanne Barr
Roseanne Barr had a meteoric rise to fame in the late 80s and 90s, so much so that she got her own hit TV show. For over 200 episodes, fans were treated to anecdotes from America's working-class family as waged by their fearless leader Roseanne.
As star of the series and its executive producer/creator, it was clear that Barr was a creative talent. But not necessarily an acting one. Roseanne's attempt to bring back her '90s classic in 2017 didn't quite cut it, and the ABC revival soon came to an end. Unfortunately, this landed the actress in an infamous list of IMDB’s ‘Top 15 List for Worst Actors & Actresses’. Poor Roseanne!
Jamie Kennedy
Actor and comedian Jamie Kennedy made his acting debut by playing the insufferable Randy Meeks in the “Scream” movies. And his next performances in “Son of the Mask” and “Malibu’s Most Wanted” didn’t exactly earn him any awards.
In fact, his acting in “Son of the Mask” landed him second place on IMDB’s ‘Top 100 Worst Actors/Actresses List’. And to add insult to injury, Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 6% rating. But Kennedy seems unphased by the bad reviews since he’s currently working on his upcoming movie. Ironically, it’s titled “Don’t Suck.” This actor definitely has a sense of humor.
Ryan Phillippe
Ryan Phillipe was one of the hottest actors in Hollywood after his debut role in “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” His next role in “Cruel Intentions” cemented him as the ultimate teen heartthrob, which combined with the fact that he was dating Reese Witherspoon helped keep him in the spotlight for a while longer, because it definitely wasn’t his acting.
We love Ryan Phillipe as much as the next person, but let’s face it, he’s no Edward Norton. And we believe Mr. Phillipe is aware of this, since apart from some supporting roles, we’ve barely seen him on the silver screen in the last few years.
Mila Jovovich
It’s not unusual to see a model make the transition into acting – we’ve seen it with Cindy Crawford, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Kate Upton, and many others. But perhaps the most successful one has been Mila Jovovich, and as we well know by now, success doesn’t always equal talent.
However, we are forever thankful to her for bringing the beloved Leeloo to life in 1997’s “The Fifth Element.” Jovovich is undoubtedly excellent at kicking butt, as proven in her starring role as Alice in the “Resident Evil” film franchise, but we don’t see this gorgeous woman taking an award home anytime soon.
The actors on this list have given us some mighty powerful performances over the years, yet every year on Oscar night, they continue to go home empty-handed.
For some, this can happen for multiple years in a row, even over decades-long careers. While Hollywood may not ever give them their due, we will! Take a look at the most Oscar-worthy actors (and a few directors) who continue to be Oscar-less!
Mia Farrow
This one is a little suspicious. Did you know that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has nominated Mia Farrow a staggering nine times? But the Academy is having none of it.
Even after a bunch of Woody Allen hits and a mesmerizing performance in "Rosemary's Baby," Farrow's little golden statue still eludes her.
Jake Gyllenhall
Jake Gyllenhall has been famously snubbed on two occasions. We imagine that it must hurt to get so close only to have it all disappear in one 'Swift' moment (wink).
His nomination for "Brokeback Mountain" didn't take him all the way, losing out to George Clooney for "Syriana". It happened again for the film "Night Crawler."
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams will always move us, her sunken eyes and often tender performances have somehow gone overlooked by the academy.
This may come as a surprise, even with films such as "Blue Valentine," "My Week With Marilyn," "Brokeback Mountain," and "Manchester by the Sea." She did at least take home a Golden Globe and a SAG for "Fosse/Verdon."
John Malkovich
While no Oscars currently sit on his shelves, John Malkovich can take comfort in the fact that he has won so many other awards including a SAG and an Emmy.
His nominations include his roles in "Places in the Heart" and "In the Line of Fire." Truthfully, we're surprised he only has two.
Michael Keaton
He's had a long and successful career. Twice. Keaton was a hit in the 80s, went on a lengthy hiatus, and came back to Hollywood a nominated actor for his role in "Birdman."
Sadly he didn't, losing out to Eddie Redmayne. Perhaps he'll disappear for a second time, come back, and actually end up winning an Oscar. Crazier things of happened! Whatever the case, Keaton deserves the gold!
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp's career has been a mix of the strange and offbeat, with the high stakes action. The actor's string of successful movies put him in good standing with the academy, and with films like "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Finding Neverland," and "Sweeney Todd," he's been a solid Oscar contender.
Unfortunately, his brush with the gold was brief and Depp lost out in the end. Recently his career has been taken for a spin making it unlikely that he'll ever get that win in the near future.
Thelma Ritter
Thelma Ritter was an icon in the Golden Age of cinema who perfectly embodied the tough working-class gal. Ritter was revered for performances and racked up six nominations for her films such as "All About Eve" "Pillow Talk," New Girl in Town" and more but never saw an Oscar for any of them.
She did at least get a Tony for Best Actress for her performance in the musical "New Girl in Town." Her brilliant and carefully acted role as McCarthy stole audiences' hearts.
Amy Adams
A true travesty of Hollywood, Amy Adams should have shelves of Oscars by now, but alas, those six nominations are so the closest she's ever gotten.
With a string of critically acclaimed performances in films like "Doubt," "The Fighter," "Sunshine Cleaning," not to mention her phenomenal work in HBO's "Sharp Objects," Adams delivers every time but sadly sees no Oscar in sight.
Jeff Daniels
We don't like to knock other awards on this list. A Golden Globe is something to behold and Jeff Daniels has earned four nominations. He's also won an Emmy and endless praise for his performances, especially his role in the "The Newsroom."
But Daniels has yet to nab the coveted Oscars Award. Maybe one day he'll surprise us. Who's to say?
Spike Lee
When the Academy overlooked Spike Lee's iconic film "Do the Right Thing," it stirred up quite an outrage. The no-nomination streak continued for quite some time but thankfully his screenplay "BlacKkKlansman" did win an Oscar.
Though Lee has gotten his accolades, he has yet to be recognized for what he does best, and that is directing. Perhaps with the many changes happening in Hollywood, the director will one day see his Oscar glory.
Richard Burton
Today regarded as an utter legend, in his day, Richard Burton was sadly overlooked. The Shakespearean actor may have at times not been taken seriously for his periodic epics like "Cleopatra" and "The Robe" but was certainly was Oscar material.
The actor at least should have gotten the gold for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" but in the end lost out. Looks like those six nominations never got him there, but remembered he will be!
Alfred Hitchcock
It might be 'horror'fying for fans to discover that the grandfather of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchock never actually won a single Oscar for any of his films. Today they're viewed as classics, but back then his films did not receive the sense of recognition that other Oscar-winning directors received at the time.
He was not completely ignored however and was nominated for Best Director five times for "Rebecca" (1940), "Lifeboat" (1944), "Spellbound" (1945), "Rear Window" (1954), and "Psycho" (1960).
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder created some comedy masterpieces like "Young Frankenstein" and "The Producers." As a brilliant writer, he completely shaped the form. As such a significant player in American film, the man only had two Oscar nominations to show for himself.
With that said, the late comedian and director does not need the statue to show us his worth!
Kevin Bacon
The man has appeared in over 70 films! Surely one of those performances is Oscar-worthy? "JFK?" "Appollo 13?" Not even "Mystic River!" At least in our books, there's no reason why Kevin Bacon shouldn't be an Oscar winner.
He does at least have just about every other award under the sun including a Golden Globe, a Saturn, an Emmy, Critic's Choice, Independent Spirit Award, and our favorite the MTV Villain Award.
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot got more than enough promise for bombshell looks but clearly not enough for acting. The actress and singer starred in countless films and musicals but never got her nomination for an Academy Award.
She also singlehandedly created a style that was envied around the globe, making 60s French chic one of the coolest aesthetics to ever exist.
Winona Ryder
Nineties It Girl, Winona Ryder grew into a serious actress with films like "Girl, Interrupted," "The Age of Innocence" and "Little Women."
Unfortunately, after being nominated for two consecutive years "The Age of Innocence" and "Little Women," Winona has proved to have what it takes!
Samuel L. Jackson
Can you believe that Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in over 125 films and not once did he win the little golden figurine?! In fact, he has only scored one nomination and that was in 1995 for his role in "Pulp Action."
That's a rather disappointing fact and while the actor doesn't necessarily go in the box of typically "Oscar-bait" films, he still gives stellar performances each and every time.
Ed Harris
Ed Harris has no doubt been recognized for his fantastic performances many times, and four by the Academy for the films "Apollo 13," "The Truman Show," "Pollack," and "The Hours."
But even with a string of performances that are Oscar-worthy, none saw the gold. We suppose this Hollywood great is in for the wait, if he cares about waiting, that is!
Alan Rickman
A true loss, Alan Rickman proved to be one of the finest actors out there, though an English actor, he certainly made his mark in Hollywood being memorably villainous.
Sadly he left us too soon and never saw an Oscar win nor a nomination, but the actor will always be remembered for his great talents.
Noami Watts
After her two Oscar nominations for "21 Grams" (2004) and then "The Impossible" (2015) the actress looked like she was coming close to the big win.
Unfortunately, it's been a while since that name has popped up in the context of Oscar buzz, and we're simply not happy about it.
Jamie Lee Curtis
She has won Golden Globes, but Jamie Lee Curtis, the scream queen of the 80s has not seen any Oscar glory, not even a nomination. And she's been acting since she was 20 years old!
That being said, we still love all other performances, whether she's a horror heroine in the "Halloween" franchise or a stuffy mom in "Freaky Friday."
Salma Hayek
Even though she wowed audiences with her artistic masterpiece "Frida" and has continued to do so with countless other films, Hayek has never actually walked away with one.
The ultimate loss was probably due to some serious competition from the phenomenal actresses in "The Hours."
Cary Grant
As Hollywood's leading man between the 30s and 60s, Cary Grant starred in countless big hitters. But the position of a leading man can be a precarious one. Too popular to be taken seriously, the actor's great skills were often overlooked by the Academy, even with near-perfect performances in "The Philadelphia Story" and "North by Northwest."
He was granted an honorary Oscar in 1970 for his significant contribution to the world of cinema, which we think was a really good call. One cannot look back at cinema and not talk about Cary Grant.
Paul Thomas Anderson
Another Oscar-winning director with no Oscars to his name. When will the Academy learn? Paul Thomas Anderson was behind the cult hit "Boogie Nights" as well as the brilliant "There Will Blood" which earned its star Daniel Day-Lewis an Oscar but sadly not its director.
We're sure that there will be an Oscar down the line some time, the man is an immense talent!
Annette Bening
Annette Bening got her start in theater in the 80s before she went on to treat us with beautiful performances in countless films. Yet somehow, she hasn't made the Oscar cut.
The actress was nominated for "The Grifters," "American Beauty," "Being Julia," and "The Kids Are All Right," wowing us in each and every one of these performances. Let's hope that the next nomination turns into an actual win.
Christopher Nolan
It's only in recent years the comic book films received such critical acclaim with the likes of Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix nabbing up Oscars. But it appears that the directors aren't getting enough attention.
Though Christopher Nolan is known for far more. Just about every movie he's made is Oscar bait. Yet, the man year after year keeps going home empty-handed. “Memento,” “Inception” and “Dunkirk,” still nothing.
Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr is another example of a great actress who led an illustrious, yet Oscar-less career. She appeared in some of the most famous films in cinema history, giving noteworthy performances in films such as "The King and I" From Here to Eternity" "The Innocents" and many more.
Kerr received six nods from the Academy but only actually awarded her with an honorary Oscar in 1994, in an attempt to right a decades-long wrong. While it's not the same, it is something!
Meg Ryan
If ever there was a rom-com Oscar-worthy performance, Meg Ryan gave it to us. The actress didn't even get a nomination for her performance in "When Harry Met Sally." Her famous diner scene deserves one alone.
Meg Ryan was one of the most famous actresses of the 1990s but the "Sleepless in Seattle" star has never scored an Academy Award nomination.
Richard Gere
Veteran actor Richard Gere has not been so lucky either when it comes to the Oscars but has actually had little more luck on the Golden Globes side, having been nominated four times and winning once.
Gere is going to have to come out with something really special if he wants to make it into the Oscar ranks, though it looks as if that ship has sailed.
Liam Neeson
It was 1994 and Liam Neeson wowed us in "Schinder's List" in the titular role. His career-defining role was a shoo-in for an Oscar, not to mention the film itself was an utter masterpiece. Alas, Neeson never saw that Oscar, causing quite an upset among viewers and critics.
The actor has gone on to star in countless films, cashing it in big-time with high action hits like the Taken franchise, so perhaps Oscar isn't in the books. Perhaps it's less of a concern for the actor these days.
James McAvoy
James McAvoy has been attached to some very critically acclaimed films. The 2007 film "Atonement" was nominated for a total of seven awards, one of them being Best Picture.
There was also "The Last King of Scotland" and "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby" but our man McAvoy didn't get to thank producers and co-stars upon that coveted stage.
Ralph Fiennes
Viewed as one of the great Hollywood injustices, Ralph Fiennes lost his shot at Oscar glory (nominated for his role in "Schindler's List") when Tommy Lee Jones beat him to it with the movie "The Fugitive."
While he doesn't have an Oscar, Fiennes does have a BAFTA, which according to some is more prestigious, a Tony, and a whole host of European film festival awards.
Kim Novak
Kim Novak should have gotten that Oscar goodness for her role in Alfred Hitchock's "Vertigo" but unfortunately didn't make it.
She did however a Golden Globe for "Most Promising Newcomer" in 1955.
Zac Efron
To some, it may be a surprise that Zac Efron, the ultimate high school sweetheart, never won an Oscar. The now adult idol adorned our screens in "Highschool Musical" and since then has had his name associated with "NCIS," "A Family Affair," and many other great hits.
One of Zac Efrons' greatest roles was in "Dirty Grandpa," which tells the story of the heartening and somewhat controversial relationship between a grandchild and his grandpa. He co-starred along no less than Robert Diniro, however, he still didn't manage to grasp the award.
Bill Murray
It's a sad fact but comedians rarely make it to Oscar land, if anything their talents are reserved for the role of host or hostess, entertaining all those dramatic thespians.
But some comedians deserve the gold themselves! Bill Murray is a perfect example of that. He received a nomination for "Lost in Translation" but that's it. We believe his vast body of comedic work deserves an Oscar.
Harrison Ford
We're sure there are many Harrison Ford fans out there (ladies, we're talking to you) who resent this fact. The actor has played some iconic roles throughout his career but unfortunately, his performances as Indiana Jones and Han Solo didn't speak to the Academy.
He came pretty close in 1986 with "Witness" but in the end, just didn't make it all the way, losing to the late William Hurt.
Angela Basset
Angela Basset has given us some Oscar deserving roles. In fact, we could name at least three off the top of our heads (not counting her nominated role for "What's Love Got to Do With It".)
Aside from her memorable portraying the iconic Tina Turner, Angela Basset gave brilliant performances in "Malcolm X," Sunshine State," "Akeela and the Bee," and more.
Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas is actually considered to be one of the greatest American actors of all time yet somehow he has only racked up three nominations and not one win.
With stellar performances in "Champion and Lust for Life," "Paths of Glory," Spartacus," and more, Douglas has received some high praise, but never an Oscar. He did, however, receive a lifetime achievement award from the Academy as well as a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart is another example of a fine actor who hasn't gotten his due. He has not even been nominated for an Academy Award.
He was, however, nominated for a Tony for his performance in the Broadway revival of "Macbeth." Professor X has got the goods but has yet to get that Oscar glory.
Marylin Monroe
Sigh, Marylin Monroe was another example of a Hollywood gem who was never fully appreciated during her time. Sure, these days the actress is praised for her perfect comedic timing, fine acting, and her love of her literature, but showbiz did not give her her due.
Perhaps the Academy could somewhat redeem themselves by honoring her with a posthumous recognition, but alas, we have yet to see that.
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin captivated some of the world's earliest audiences of cinema, evolving from heartfelt silent films to legendary talkies. It's no doubt, the man was a genius. But it's safe to say that he did not get enough credit. In fact, he was only nominated for "The Great Dictator."
In Hollywood's defense, they did give him two honorary awards, but it was for the musical score of the film. It's something, but we believe Chaplin deserves more.
Donald Sutherland
With about half a century in the biz, Donald Sutherland is an iconic and legendary actor. The veteran star has been in countless films, many of them critical successes.
He's gotten many Golden Globes, but oddly, throughout his extremely long career, not one Oscar nomination. Baffling, right?
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain has so far been nominated twice, one for Best Actress in "Zero Dark Thirty" and again for Best Supporting Actress in "The Help" but lost to Jennifer Lawrence for "Silver Linings Playbook."
A respectable loss! Perhaps there is an Oscar in sight from her role in"Scenes From a Marriage"? And no, we don't mean Oscar Isaac.
Isabella Rossellini
She's the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Ingrid Bergman and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Roberto Rosselini, but those genes only took her so far.
While Isabella Rosellini is a fantastic actress, she somehow hasn't been able to score an Oscar nomination, let alone an award. Perhaps she's more popular in European circles.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon was once Hollywood's golden boy. He burst onto the scene with his bestie Ben in "Good Will Hunting" when he was about 25 years old, winning an Oscar for his screenplay. But when it comes to acting, Damon has been less fortunate.
Having been nominated for "The Martian," "Invictus," and "Good Will Hunting," the A-lister hasn't seen a single win. While he's not an Oscar winner, the actor is certainly no underdog.
Scarlett Johansson
The mightily talented as well as the highest-paid actress in the biz has starred in a string of countless successful films from MCU blockbusters to indie sensations.
But the actress has no Oscars and only very recently did she manage to earn herself two noms with "Jojo Rabbit" and "Marriage Story" (in the same year.) Could this be a sign that things are getting closer?
Glenn Close
What Glenn Close has won is the record for most Oscar nominations in an acting category without a single win. Seems a little unfair right? The actress is one of the most highly regarded actresses of her generation and has received the Oscar nod eight times between 1983 and 2021.
But the legendary actress is completely unfazed and does not see herself as a loser. In an interview with AP News, Close commented on her perceived "Oscar loss" saying "you're there, you're five people honored for the work that you've done by your peers. What's better than that?" Agreed!
David Oyelowo
The British actor has received enough accolades to comfort him for not getting an Oscar (even though he should have gotten one for "Selena.")
With a Critics' Choice Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards to his name, Oyelowo seems to be in good standing. Still, an Oscar couldn't hurt.
Robert Redford
We're a little stumped here. It's hard to believe that Robert Redford, one of Hollywood's greats, has never seen an Oscar win as an actor.
With that said, he has won Best Director twice for "Quiz Show" and "Ordinary People." At least that!
Viggo Mortensen
He's been nominated for "Green Book," Eastern Promises," and "Captain Fantastic," but Viggo Mortensen has yet to make that gushy speech on an Academy Award stage. The actor has taken some slack from the industry for being a little different.
He's not exactly gossip fodder, living in Madrid, and working when he wants. By all accounts that sounds awesome, but Hollywood can be funny. Needless to say, we're sure he's not too hung about the whole thing, and with having his hand at massive blockbusters like "Lord of the Rings," popularity is not something he ought to be too concerned about.
Edward Norton
Edward Norton's career consists of impressive films; "Primal Fear," "American History X, "Birdman," and much more. According to some Hollywood insiders, however, the actor has built up a rather difficult reputation in recent years.
Could it be because of that? We wonder! Hollywood is known for primadonnas but perhaps he crossed a line?
Toshiro Mifune
Toshiro Mifune has been dubbed Japan's (combined mix of) Marlon Brando and Clint Eastwood, which sounds pretty impressive.
And even if you're not a big consumer of foreign films, you probably know him as the star of "Seven Samurai," and "Rashomon." Needless to say, this Japanese gem never saw an Oscar, though we're convinced an actor of that stature did not need the Hollywood praise.
John Goodman
John Goodman should have won an Oscar by now or at least been nominated for "The Big Lebowski," "Barton Fink, "Flight," and let's be honest, for far more. Sadly that was not the case! Ain't that the way the cookie crumbles.
The actor has become a legend in both TV shows and films and his Big Lebowski character has been ingrained in American pop culture. Only a fantastic actor can do that.
Bradley Cooper
With top-notch films like "Silver Linings Playbook," "American Sniper," and "American Hustle," Cooper showed us that he's far more than a bankable bro-movie hunk. The man can seriously act. The Oscar buzz was strong with the film "Star is Born" and audiences were curious to see it play out.
Going both behind and in front of the camera, Cooper told us the story of a troubled country musician who mentors (and falls in love with) a struggling young singer. The heartfelt musical drama rocked everyone's world but sadly, the actor lost to Rami Malek.
Sam Elliot
With his deep voice and burly delivery, Sam Elliot has Oscar winner written all over his face. But, unfortunately, that is not the case. Elliot has only received an Oscar nomination for one film, "A Star Is Born," in the category for Best Supporting Actor.
It was a close call, but ultimately he lost to Mahershala Ali for the movie "Green Book." While Ali's win was deserving, we would love to see an Oscar win in the future.
Pedro Almodovar
Foreign films are always tough contenders in Oscar land, but when it comes to Pedro Almodovar, his films hold a special exception. The Spanish director has actually had his brush with Oscar glory with two of his films getting the award, one for Best Foreign Language Film and the other for Best Original Screenplay.
But when it comes to Best Director, however, he has yet to see one. We suppose if Almodovar's films were in English and he was sitting among the Spielbergs and Scorseses, then there isn't a doubt that he would have nabbed up several.
Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci got his due in 2010 for his chilling role in "Lovely Bones", well, almost. Unfortunately, it was only a nomination and he lost out to Christopher Waltz.
We will admit if there is going to be someone to lose to, at least it was Waltz for his performance in "Django."
Albert Finney
The late English actor Albert Finney was snubbed famously numerous times at the Oscars. As a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he had talent, but luck, perhaps not. Finney received five Oscar nominations, among them "Under the Volcano"(1984), "Murder on the Orient Express" (1974), and "Erin Brockovich" (2000.)
His legacy is the great performances he gave in some iconic films, even if he never got the Oscars to show for it.
Sigourney Weaver
The three-time Oscar nominee demands your respect. Her versatility can be seen throughout her body of work with films, specifically her Oscar-nominated films; "Aliens," "Working Girl," and "Gorillas in the Mist."
Alas, the golden statue has eluded Weaver. But we're not giving up, we believe our girl Sig will eventually do the Oscar victory dance!
Woody Harrelson
He's certainly the oddball of Hollywood, one of the few actors who never really fit into any mold, but a brilliant actor? Of course! Woody has played some interesting characters and racked up quite a few noms.
His noteworthy performances include "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," "The People vs. Larry Flynt," and "The Messenger." We'll continue to root for him.
Steve Buschemi
He's our favorite character, slipping into any role under the sun. But Steve Buschemi has never even gotten himself a nomination. Truly an outrage.
His television work, on the other hand, has earned him some sold critical acclaim with shows like "Boardwalk Empire," and "The Sopranos." He's also gotten numerous Emmys and Golden Globes.
Laura Linney
Laura Linney is definitely everyone's favorite actress! We loved her on "Ozark," and we can't forget her fantastic performances in all her Oscar-worthy films.
Her nominations for roles in "The Savages," "Kinsey," and "You Can Count on Me" were outstanding but unfortunately not good enough to take home the gold. Who are we kidding? Sometimes it just is a popularity contest.
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor started out as a scrawny Scott and slowly became a Hollywood leading man. Well, he's still a Scott; just no longer scrawny.
The super talented actor can dance and sing too but sadly has not yet reaped the fruits of all his accomplishments!
Robert Downey Jr.
Perhaps as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors, Robert Downey Jr. is less concerned for Oscar wins than his fellow actors. Still, we're sure it's a nice feeling for Iron Man to take home that little gold man.
He came close with his 1993 performance in "Chaplin" and again for his role in "Tropic Thunder" in 2008, (an unusual choice) but not close enough.
James Dean
James Dean was taken from us far too soon at age 24 but even in his short career, the actor gave us some memorable performances. Sadly, he never saw an Oscar for anything of them.
While he may have gotten one a few years done the line, the Academy never granted him a posthumous honorary award as they have done with others.
Claire Danes
She's certainly everyone's favorite TV star as everyone loves "Homeland" and she's also starred in a string of fantastic films, but Claire Danes is empty-handed when it comes to Oscar awards.
When it comes to Golden Globes and Emmys however, that's a different story.
Helena Bonham Carter
The phenomenal actress who floats between American and British roles has a decent two nominations to her name. Her first one was her 1998 role in "The Wings of a Dove" and her second, in 1998, in "The King's Speech."
We do predict an Oscar one day — the woman just can't go much longer without one!
Danny Glover
We know that the "Lethal Weapon" films aren't exactly films fit for Academy Awards but Danny Glover did give an outstanding performance in "The Color Purple."
Unfortunately, even acting alongside the great Oprah Winfrey (she has magical fairy dust) the man still did not score even a single nomination. For shame.
Michelle Pfeiffer
We haven't seen Michelle Pfeiffer in a while, but that doesn't mean we've forgotten her memorable performances.
Films such as "Dangerous Liaisons" and the "The Fabulous Baker Boys" have earned the actress Oscar nominations but sadly not a win.
Sir Ian McKellen
The man has been knighted by her majesty the queen herself but has not received the honor of thanking the Academy for an Oscar.
His two nominations include his 1998 role in "Gods and Monsters" and his memorable role as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Looks like it's Hollywood's loss!
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe is an old favorite and has starred in dozens of movies for as long as we can remember. From his Oscar-nominated performance in as far back as 1986 as the idealistic sergeant in "Platoon," to his role in the cinematic beauty "Lighthouse," Dafoe exemplifies versatility.
The actor came close for his role as Vincent in "At Eternity's Gate," "Shadow of the Vampire," and "The Florida Project." Unfortunately, he never took home the gold. Whether or not he will one day hold that little statue in his hands doesn't really matter. We know he's great!
Peter O' Toole
It happens every generation or so, a brilliant actor comes along and is recognized for all their greatness. They sit the annual event and hear their name get called out as a nominee, year after year, and...nothing.
Peter O' Toole is a perfect example of that. After eight nominations, he still did not take home the gold. All of this over a roughly 40-year acting career. He did at least score an Honorary award.
Emily Blunt
Just like her character (aptly named Emily) in "The Devil Wears Prada" she should have been the one to go to Paris and get all the glory.
In this case, when we say Paris, we mean an Academy Award! Her performance in "A Quiet Place" was also outstanding, alas Blunt, putting it bluntly, needs her Oscar because her not having one seems unfair.
Tim Burton
Okay, we know Tim Burton is not an actor but we feel his name deserves a mention. The visionary director has given us some fantastically memorable films, yet Hollywood hasn't given him the right credit yet.
Is he too strange for Hollywood? Too dark? We're not sure, but it seems that Tim Burton is impossible to categorize so we'll put him in the category of great talents who deserve an Oscar.
Tom Cruise
It's kind of crazy but, yes, Tom Cruise has received three nominations and never a win. Two of them for best actor for "Fourth of July" and of course, "Jerry Maguire" and the third for Best Supporting Actor in "Magnolia."
As one of Hollywood's biggest actors, it's unfortunate that he hasn't really come close to it. While still a huge name, Cruise has seemed to retire himself to the occasional blockbuster and less Oscar bait.
Clint Eastwood
It became clear that the moment Clint Eastwood sat in the director's chair where his true talents lay. We're not saying he's a bad actor, the man has been acting since the 50s all the way to the present day, but he has won four Oscars as a director and producer and zero as an actor.
He has at least gotten two noms, one for "Unforgiven" and another for "Million Dollar Baby."
Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow went from European arthouse cinema (a favorite of Igmar Bergman) in the earlier years of his career to starring in a string of Hollywood classics like "The Exorcist," "Flash Gordon," "Minority Report," and "Shutter Island."
Not many European actors have that sort of flex. The actor was nominated for "Pelle the Conquerer," "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" and probably should have won for "Hanna and Her Sisters."
Jim Carrey
If the Academy viewed comedies the way they do heartfelt dramas, then Jim Carrey would be the Meryl Streep of the category. His comedy chops are truly masterful.
He's even flexed his dramatic skills in films like "Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind," "Man on the Moon," and "Kidding." Thankfully, he has six Golden Globe noms to show for himself.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan is still a young talent so perhaps we're getting ahead of ourselves, but with performances in a list of critically acclaimed list of films, it feels like we ought to have seen one by now.
To be fair, she has already racked up four nominations for "Lady Bird," "Atonement," "Brooklyn," and "Little Women." Do we predict a future Meryl or future Glenn? Time will tell!