Sir Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellenwill turn 80 in 2019, and his career has spanned several decades. He started his acting career in theater, winning a great deal of critical acclaim for his roles in plays likeA Scent of FlowersandOthello. McKellen began acting in films with his role inA Touch of Love. He was one of the first well-known actors who came out as gay in the 1980s, and he has since been open about his relationship with men.
McKellen was nominated for his first Academy Award for his work inGods and Monsters, and he was would go on to receive a second Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of wizard Gandalf inThe Fellowship of the Ring. He hasn’t yet won an Oscar, but his career is going strong.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williamscreated a splash with her performance ofMarilyn MonroeinMy Week with Marilyn. She earned a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the iconic blonde bombshell, and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in the film. In fact, Williams has been nominated for four Oscars for her acting, but she hasn’t won one.
With her earnest and authentic performances in acclaimed films likeBrokeback MountainandShutter Island, Michelle Williams remains one of the most lauded actresses of her generation. In addition to her nomination forMy Week with Marilyn, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her work inBrokeback Mountain,Manchester by the Sea, andBlue Valentine. Many predict she will win an Oscar in the coming years.
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruisewas still in his teens when he made his film debut inEndless Love. He starred oppositeBrooke Shieldsin the romantic story of first love. He was then catapulted into fame with starring roles in blockbuster hits likeRisky Business,Top Gun,Cocktail,The Color of Money, andRain Man.
Many people thought that Tom Cruise would win the Academy Award forBorn on the Fourth of Julywhen he was nominated for his work on the film. However, he didn’t win the award. He has since garnered two more Academy Award nominations forJerry MaguireandMagnolia. Although he doesn’t yet have an Oscar, he has won three Golden Globe Awards.
Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelsonfirst rose to fame as Woody Boyd in the classic 1980s sitcomCheers. He rose to movie star status while he was still acting on the TV show, which helped break down barriers. At the time, actors rarely achieved success in both feature films and television. However, the beloved vegan actor has never won an Academy Award.
Growing up poor with a mother who worked as a secretary and hitman father who later died in prison, Woody Harrelson wasn’t exactly poised for success. He beat the odds, bringing the depth of his life experiences to his acting. Harrelson was nominated for his Oscar forThe People vs. Larry Flint,The Messenger, andThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Ryan Gosling
Many people are surprised thatRyan Goslinghasn’t won multiple Academy Awards by now. After all, praise has been heaped on the movie star since 2001 when he portrayed Jewish neo-Nazi Daniel Balint inThe Believer. He was even nominated for an Oscar when he portrayed a drug addict inHalf Nelsonand a romantic dreamer inLa La Land.
Ryan Gosling was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences over a decade ago, but that hasn’t helped net him an Academy Award. However, he has come far since he started his career onThe New Mickey Mouse Clubalong with Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Keri Russell. Not yet 40, he still has plenty of time to win that elusive Oscar.
John Malkovich
With over 70 motion pictures to his credit, including the arthouse filmBeing John Malkovichthat paid homage to him in its own quirky way, it’s safe to say thatJohn Malkovichis a legend in his own time. He started his film career playing a blind man inPlaces in the Heart, and he has starred in such movies asDangerous LiaisonsandBird Box.
John Malkovich was nominated for an Academy Award for his acting inPlaces in the HeartandIn the Line of Fire. However, he hasn’t yet won the coveted award. He can console himself with the fact that he has dozens of awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy for his acting.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jacksonis a distinctive film star and producer who has portrayed a diverse array of interesting characters. He collaborated with directorQuentin Tarantinoin several films such asPulp FictionandJackie Brown. He also is known as a star of superhero films with such credits asIron ManandThe Avengers.
Although Samuel L. Jackson has enjoyed one of the most prolific and interesting careers in the history of Hollywood, he hasn’t won the Academy Award. In fact, he hasn’t even been nominated. For his role inPulp Fiction, however, he did garner a Golden Globe nomination, and he won a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Role.
Liam Neeson
Liam Neesonand his long-time wifeNatasha Richardsonwere Hollywood royalty as they both enjoyed long, successful careers. Tragically, Natasha passed away in 2009 after a skiing accident. He has raised their two children as a single dad for the past decade while continuing to act in many films such asA Monster Calls.
Liam Neeson portrayed the title character inSchindler’s List, a Steven Spielberg film that won seven Academy Awards out of its twelve nominations. While Neeson was critically acclaimed for his work in the film, he never won an Academy Award himself. He is perhaps best-known today for starring in theTakenfilm series.
Mia Farrow
Mia Farrowis a powerful actress who has enjoyed an acting career since the early 1960’s. Early in her career, she acted in well-known horror films likeRosemary’s BabyandSee No Evil. She madeSecret CeremonywithElizabeth Taylor,and she also acted withDustin HoffmaninJohn and Mary.
After Mia Farrow andWoody Allenfell in love, they also began a long-term working relationship. Farrow acted in all of Allen’s films from the early 1980s through the early 1990s. Some of the movies they made together includeAliceandHannah and Her Sisters. Although Mia Farrow often gave critically acclaimed performances throughout her career, she was never once even nominated for an Academy Award.
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackmanjoined the notorious ranks of Oscar hosts when he hosted the81stAcademy Awardsin 2009. At the time he hosted the award show, he had never even been nominated for an Academy Award. He would later be nominated by the Academy for his work in the 2013 film adaptation of the musicalLes Misérables, but he has never won an Oscar.
Hugh Jackman was widely acclaimed for his portrayal of P. T. Barnum inThe Greatest Showman. He was even nominated for a Golden Globe for his acting in the movie. Despite Oscar buzz, Jackman wasn’t acknowledged by the Academy for his work in the film. However, he does have an Emmy Award and two Tony awards to his credit, so he mustn’t feel too stiffed when it comes to awards.
