10 Times a Major Actor was Robbed of an Oscar

Hollywood can be a very competitive place.  Each year, the best in the business compete against each other for a hosts of awards.  However, no award is more sought after than the Oscar, which is the oldest award in the entertainment industry.  Unfortunately, there can only be one winner for each category, and each year someone must go home empty-handed.  Although there are many times when the “best” person wins, there are also times when the announcement of the winner brings shock and confusion.  While it’s true that every winner wins for a reason – things would often be less complicated if two people could share the award.  Here are 10 times a major actor was robbed of an Oscar.

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Ellen Burstyn

In 2000, both fans and critics were impressed with Ellen Burnstyn’s role in the film, Requiem for a Dream. As her character, Sara Goldfarb, struggled to cope with a mental break down, viewers were given a chance to see Burnstyn’s incredible acting skills.  As a result, many thought that Burnstyn was s shoe-in for the Oscar for Best Actress.  However, she ended up losing the award to Julia Roberts for her role as the title character in the film Erin Brockovich.

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Dustin Hoffman

Dustin Hoffman is one of the most well-known and successful actors of his generation, so many fans were surprised when he didn’t win the Oscar for Best Actor at the 1982 Academy Awards.  Hoffman was nominated for the role for his portrayal of Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels in the film Tootsie,  a comedy which forces Hoffman’s character to change his identity in attempts to salvage his career.

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Robert Duvall

84 year-old actor Robert Duvall has been acting for more than 60 years.  Over the course of his career, he has earned numerous awards, and although he has won an Academy Award, many people he should have won many more.  However, no bigger upset came when Duvall did not win the 1972 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film, The Godfather.  Although three of the film’s cast members were nominated for the award, they all lost to Joel Grey for his role in the film Cabaret.

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Nicole Kidman

In 2010 many were rooting for Nicole Kidman to take home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.  After wowing viewers with her role as the legendary author, Virginia Woolf in the film, The Others, many believed that Kidman was truly the most deserving nominee.  Although Kidman would take home other awards for the role, she would unfortunately lose out on the Oscar.  As a result of her loss, many felt that Kidman had been ‘snubbed.’

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Christian Bale

Christian Bale has been in several memorable roles throughout his career. In 2000, Bale portrayed Patrick Batemen in the film, American Psycho.  Batemen, was who was introduced to characters as a hardworking Wall Street investment banker is quickly revealed to have a murderous double life.  Although Batemen was an incredibly twisted character, fans were drawn to Bale’s ability to bring Batemen to life. Many fans were shocked when Bale was not even nominated for any awards at that year’s Oscars, with some believing that the role – and film itself were simply overlooked by those with the final decision.

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Edward Norton

Edward Norton stunned critics and fans with his role as reformed racist, Derek Vineyard, in the 1998 film, American History X.  After being released from prison, Derek becomes the subject of his young brother, Danny’s, history paper.  Throughout the film, viewers are allowed to watch Derek’s character grow and set an example for his younger brother.  Although the film ends in tragedy for Derek’s brother, the film both educated and informed its viewers.  When Norton’s name was announced as a nominee for Best Actor at the 1999 Oscars, many believed that he very much deserved the award.  Unfortunately, his name was not announced again when the winner was named.

 (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival)

Heath Ledger

The 2005 film, Brokeback Mountain was groundbreaking for its portrayal of gay cowboys building a relationship in the secrecy of the mountains.  Although many welcomed the film, it also sparked several controversies, and was not shown in certain locations.  Regardless of feelings towards the film itself, there was no denying that Heath Ledger did an amazing job in his role of Ennis Del Mar a “confused Wyoming ranch [kid]” who finds himself in a personal sexual situation he did not foresee, nor can understand.” Unfortunately for Ledger, the Academy did not feel the same way and he did not win the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

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Russel Crowe

Russel Crowe’s performance in the 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind, is perhaps one of his most memorable. Viewers were quickly swept up by Crowe’s portrayal world renowned mathematician, John Nash. Although the film was a fan favorite, and ultimately earned Crowe an Oscar nomination.  He lost out on the award to Denzel Washington for his role in the film Training Day.

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Viola Davis

In 2012, it seems like everyone had Viola Davis pegged as the winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Help.  After winning several other awards for the role, Davis seemed like the obvious and most deserving choice.  Unfortunately for Davis, the award went to the equally talented Meryl Street for her role in the film, The Iron Lady.

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Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks is one of the most popular actors of his generation. From films like Toy Story, all the way to Forrest Gump, Hanks has what it takes to give life to any character.  However, despite his undeniable skill, Hanks has been surprisingly robbed for two Oscars which everyone expected him to win.  In 1998, Hanks lost the Oscar for Best Actor in Saving Private Ryan, and lost again in 2000 for his role in Cast Away.

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