With all the fame and glamour attributed to them, it can be very easy, tempting even, to dismiss the fact that film actors do not necessarily have the cushiest job. Most of them toil away for months or years going from audition to audition, risking everything—and probably end up nowhere. So, when those talented few who truly put in the time and effort do make it in the industry, that is certainly easy to admire. But not everyone will agree, especially the industry.
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You could be the most gifted and hardworking performer and still get passed over for Oscar glory. Of course, with the Academy Awards, there are only so many spots to be filled by the very best every year, and your favorite star may not even feel the need to be recognized that way. Regardless, it would be nice to see them get rewarded for their troubles. There are many categories of artists who get snubbed by the Academy, but for now, it is worth acknowledging some who have been particularly overlooked for the Best Actor awards.
Hugh Grant
Four Weddings and a Funeral(1994) is a modern classic that the Oscars saw fit to grant a Best Picture nomination. Unfortunately, the same respect was not given to its affable lead,Hugh Grant, who had to settle for a Golden Globe. Since then, Grant went the route of earlyMatthewMcConaughey, becoming the go-to guy for romantic comedies, not that he or audiences seemed to mind much. He definitely had the charisma and quirkiness.
But, like McConaughey, he eventually matured out of his type casting and really showed what he could do, more than holding his own besideMeryl StreepinFlorence Foster Jenkins(2016) and playing the egotistical has-been actor villain ofPaddington 2(2017), a performance that was nothing short of electrifying, and should have received Oscar attention.
Jim Carrey
A whirlwind of slapstick energy with a malleable physicality,Jim Carreywas one of Hollywood’s biggest and most bankable leading men from the ’90s to the 2000s. He rose to prominence using his signature comedic style in such successful movies asAce Ventura: Pet Detective(1994),The Mask(1994), andLiar Liar(1997).
However, he proved himself as more than just a funnyman by delivering acclaimed performances in more dramatic fare likeThe Truman Show(1998),Man on the Moon(1999), andEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind(2004). Though he accrued numerous awards and nominations for these, the Oscar nod always slipped through his fingers, to the point where it has ironically become a joke amongst his fans and Carrey himself. Nowadays, his star no longer burns quite as bright, but his work inSonic the Hedgehog(2020) andKidding(2018-2020) demonstrate that he can still make us laugh and cry.
Ewan McGregor
Tocinema aficionados, he isthe lead druggie inTrainspotting(1996), and Christian inMoulin Rouge!(2001). To mainstream moviegoers, he is the worthy successor toSir Alec Guinness' Obi-Wan Kenobi role in theStar Warsprequels. But to the Academy, he is inexplicably a constant reject.
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It is vexing to think that with a career as distinguished as his,Ewan McGregorhas never once garnered an Oscar nomination. He has only continued to showcase even fiercer talent with his performances inFargo(2014-present) andBirds of Prey(2020). Hopefully the Academy wises up someday soon.
Adam Sandler
Here is a comedian who apparently shows no shame in sticking to his wheelhouse, no matter the quality of the project, fromThe Wedding Singer(1998) toJack and Jill(2011). WhileAdam Sandleris a genuinely funny guy, it is frustrating that he does not branch out more, considering his surprisingly powerful dramatic chops, as seen in films likePunch-Drunk Love(2002) andUncut Gems(2019). In fact, his lack of Oscar recognition for the latter is regarded as one of the most egregious snubs in recent history.
Post-Uncut Gems, Sandler has gone back to his comedy roots, but fans eagerly await the day when the Sandman steps out of his comfort zone once more and makes the Academy regret slighting him.
Colin Farrell
Irish-bornColin Farrellis aremarkably versatile actor. His career has run the gamut from hammy and subtle to honest cop or murderous criminal to fat suits and heavy prosthetics. Even when the material was questionable, Farrell still managed to shine, as he did inDaredevil(2003) andWinter’s Tale(2014).
So why then have the Oscars never shown him any love? The closest that he has gotten to an Academy Award nomination was his turn as a repentant hitman inIn Bruges(2008), which netted him a Golden Globe, yet the Oscars still passed.Farrellhas carried on strong though, giving the Academy plenty of time to correct their oversight.
Oscar Isaac
One of the biggest breakout stars of the 2010s,Oscar Isaachasbuilt quite a careerin the last decade, comprised of indies, dramas, television roles, and parts in popular franchises. His performances inInside Llewyn Davis(2013),A Most Violent Year(2014), andEx Machina(2014) should have earned him serious Academy Awards consideration, and they likely did, but ultimately, nothing came of them.
That has not stopped Isaac though, and he will doubtless keep on dazzling critics and viewers for more years to come. Sooner or later, the Oscars should give him his due.
James McAvoy
Mr. Tumnus has come a long way from his little house in the snow behind a wardrobe.James McAvoyhas been in all kinds of things from historical and period dramas to superhero movies and whatever glorious insanityWanted(2008) was. He never fails to impress or stand out time and time again.
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In recent years, his role as a man with over 20 different personalities inSplit(2016) andGlass(2019) serves as a microcosm of his formidable acting range and intensity. Since the Academy continues to deny him his shot at Oscar even with that, perhaps they’ll make up for it somewhere down the line.
David Oyelowo
You would think that playingMartin Luther King Jr.in a lauded biographical drama would be a surefire path to Oscar gold, or at least a nomination. Evidently, the Academy could not squeezeDavid Oyelowointo their admittedly crowded docket that year.
But Oyelowo has given far more than just one notable performance. He has won praise for his work inNightingale(2014),Queen of Katwe(2016), andA United Kingdom(2016) along with various accolades and honors. Surely the Oscars could recognize him in the future.
Mads Mikkelsen
A welcome export from Denmark to Tinseltown,Mads Mikkelsenis a name known throughout geekdom, having lent hiscommanding screen presencetoJames Bond,Marvel,Star Wars, and Hannibal Lecter.
But aside from Bond villain Le Chiffre and Lecter, his most acclaimed parts have been as a falsely accused man inThe Hunt(2012) and a teacher on a drinking binge inAnother Round(2020), both cinema of his motherland. Both them were worthy of Oscar glory.
Andy Serkis
Several actors have given great performances using motion capture, butAndy Serkisis the undisputed king of the art. Even though he hasproduced solid work without it, like inSex & Drugs & Rock & Roll(2010), his CGI character roles, particularly Gollum fromThe Lord of the Ringsand Caesar from thePlanet of the Apesprequels, have revealed his true performing talents.
Good actors are able to play parts convincingly, but great actors can embody whole individuals. And Serkis has that down practically to a science. The distinctive expressions and physicality that he is able to project onto his characters through motion capture are staggering. And yet, the Oscars seemingly don’t accept these as legitimate performances due to the application of CGI.
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