Winning an Academy Award is rare. Being nominated again and again without a trophy is rarer, and it says a lot about how consistent an actor’s work has been.
The nine performers below all earned several acting nominations and never took home a competitive Oscar. Some were later honored in other ways, and a few are still working, so the list reflects the record as it stands in 2026.
Glenn Close
Glenn Close holds one of the longest losing streaks in Oscar history, with eight acting nominations and no wins. Her nominations began with The World According to Garp and continued through The Big Chill, The Natural, Fatal Attraction and Dangerous Liaisons.
She was nominated again for Albert Nobbs and The Wife, then for Hillbilly Elegy at the 2021 ceremony. Her run of nominations across four decades shows how many different kinds of roles she has played, from villains to quiet, restrained lead parts.
Peter O’Toole
Peter O’Toole was nominated eight times for Best Actor, starting with Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. Later nominations included Becket, The Lion in Winter, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, The Ruling Class, The Stunt Man, My Favorite Year and Venus.
The Academy gave him an honorary award in 2003, which he accepted, though he never won in competition. He died in 2013, so his tally of eight stands as final.
Amy Adams
Amy Adams has six acting nominations and no wins. Four were for supporting roles in Junebug, Doubt, The Fighter and The Master, and one was for a supporting turn in Vice.
Her lead nomination came for American Hustle. She has won Golden Globes, including for American Hustle and Big Eyes, but the Oscar has stayed out of reach.
Richard Burton
Richard Burton was nominated seven times, and the Welsh actor never won. His nominations covered My Cousin Rachel, The Robe, Becket, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Anne of the Thousand Days and Equus.
He was well regarded on stage as well as in film. He died in 1984, and his seven nominations remain among the most for an actor who never won.
Partner offer
Deborah Kerr
Deborah Kerr was nominated six times for Best Actress. The films were Edward, My Son, From Here to Eternity, The King and I, Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison, Separate Tables and The Sundowners.
She received an honorary Oscar in 1994 in recognition of her career. She never won a competitive award despite that long record.
Thelma Ritter
Thelma Ritter was nominated six times for Best Supporting Actress, and she was nominated for a supporting role more often than any other actress who never won. Her nominations were for All About Eve, The Mating Season, With a Song in My Heart, Pickup on South Street, Pillow Talk and Birdman of Alcatraz.
She was known for sharp, wisecracking characters who often stole scenes from the leads. Her nominations spanned 1950 to 1962, and none turned into a win.
Albert Finney
Albert Finney received five acting nominations over a long career. He was nominated for Tom Jones, Murder on the Orient Express, The Dresser, Under the Volcano and Erin Brockovich.
The first four were Best Actor nominations, and the last was for Best Supporting Actor. He died in 2019 without ever winning.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams has five nominations. She was nominated for supporting roles in Brokeback Mountain, Manchester by the Sea and The Fabelmans, and for lead roles in Blue Valentine and My Week with Marilyn.
She has won other major honors, including an Emmy for Fosse/Verdon. Her Oscar nominations have been spread across nearly two decades.
Arthur Kennedy
Arthur Kennedy was nominated five times between 1949 and 1958. His nominations were for Champion, Bright Victory, Trial, Peyton Place and Some Came Running.
He was nominated for both lead and supporting roles. He is less widely remembered today than others on this list, though his record of five nominations without a win still stands.
Partner offer
Planning a trip to Vegas?
Compare hotel rates and show tickets on VEGAS.com.
