If you thought Leonardo DiCaprio took forever to finally bring home an Oscar win, you'd better believe these stars are also impatiently waiting...
Robert Downey Jr.
It's true, Iron Man himself has never won an Academy Award. Though he's been nominated twice for Tropic Thunder and Chapin at The Oscars, he's never managed to take home the trophy. Considering Downey Jr.'s lengthy filmography, this is a crime.
Legendary Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark spearheaded the Avengers team and many of the relating Marvel movies. He was a character with depth, likeability, and was the driving force behind bringing in new heroes (like Tom Holland's Spiderman) to the team. The difficult decision of killing him off in Infinity War left fans absolutely gutted.
Brad Pitt
Legendary actor Brad Pitt, best known for Fight Club, Oceans 11, Troy, and Seven, has been pretty close to winning Academy Awards in the past. Many of his projects are regarded as masterpieces, and when he is a part of ensemble casts, his role typically stands out. However, he's still on the prowl for an Oscar.
The One Rule About Fight Club
Fight Club is likely Pitt's most memorable role, and he starred in the action drama alongside Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter. Pitt has also been in the public eye due to his previous marriage to actress Angelina Jolie and his relationship with Jennifer Aniston.
Bradley Cooper
Despite his long career in Hollywood, Bradley Cooper's most important project was definitely 2018's A Star Is Born. He directed, starred, and even sang in the film. Even though the film won massive critical acclaim, and Lady Gaga scored an Oscar win, Cooper was only nominated.
Go Birds
After a string of lighthearted and comedic roles, Cooper was cast in Silver Linings Playbook, a drama alongside Jennifer Lawrence. This was one of Hollywood's first glimpses of Cooper in a genuinely deep role, and it launched him into taking more serious films. He also played Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in the biopic, American Sniper.
Tom Cruise
OG Brat Pack member Tom Cruise was in everything from Risky Business to The Outsiders to Top Gun, but for whatever reason has never prevailed at The Oscars. He was Hollywood's "It" guy for decades and has had several high profile relationships like his marriages to Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes.
Renowned Scientologist
Unfortunately, as many celebs do, Cruise fell victim to the Church of Scientology. He's been an advocate for its practices for years, and it's inadvertently had a negative impact on his career. It's also a major contributing factor to his divorce from Katie Holmes.
Johnny Depp
Jack Sparrow himself has never managed to take home an Academy Award. Despite his long list of incredible roles like Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd, and Pirates of the Caribbean, for whatever reason, Hollywood loves Johnny Depp, but they won't vote for him. Lately, he's been in some hot water for legal allegations raised by his ex, Amber Heard.
Serious Accusations
Amber Heard alleged that former husband Johnny Depp physically abused her, and then he came back with the same allegations. The entire case has cost Depp his role in the next Magnificent Beasts and Where to Find Them film, but Heard has kept her role in the next Aquaman film. The case has yet to go to trial, but fans have been rallying behind Depp, who has argued his innocence.
Sigourney Weaver
Best known for her role as Ripley in the Alien franchise, Sigourney Weaver has been a staple in Hollywood since the 1970s. While Ripley was an iconic role that encouraged more female representation in sci-fi movies, she was unfortunately robbed at the 1979 Oscars and didn't receive a Best Actress nomination.
Sci-Fi's "It" Girl
Aside from playing Ripley through most of the Alien franchise, Weaver has also been seen in films like Ghostbusters, Avatar, and Holes. She's best at playing leads in sci-fi adventure movies, but she has also taken on some more traditional roles. Working Girls, Annie Hall, and You Again lean toward romantic comedies and dramas.
Samuel L. Jackson
Jackson has been in over 125 movies during the span of his career, and aside from being a great actor, he's also a pop culture icon. Everyone knows who he is, but he hasn't made enough of an impression on The Academy. His only nomination was from 1995's Pulp Fiction.
Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction follows the story of Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta's crime-fighting characters. Written by Quentin Tarrantino, the movie is told out of chronological order, and features time cards with two different definitions of the word "pulp." It's regarded as one of the best movies ever made.
Angela Bassett
Who else should play Tina Turner in a biopic other than the timeless Angela Bassett? She's proven that her versatility as an actress really knows no bounds. She's been featured in everything from high-profile drama films to even Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story series.
A Most Powerful Witch
Younger viewers will likely recognize Bassett's roles in American Horror Story: Coven, Freakshow, and Apocalypse to name a few. She played the iconic voodoo queen Marie Laveau across from Kathy Bates in season 3's witching plot. She has been one of Ryan Murphy's greatest assets and regularly appearing actresses in the franchise.
Steve Buscemi
You read that right. One of the most well-known actors in Hollywood has been passed over by The Academy for his entire career. How is that possible considering all of his esteemed roles?
The Most Recognizable Face in Film
Buscemi has appeared in everything from Fargo to Reservoir Dogs to 30 Rock to Portlandia. He has one of the most iconic faces and voices, and he excels in both serious and comedic roles. He's arguably the perfect candidate for an award, so maybe someday he'll finally get the credit he deserves.
Meg Ryan
Meg Ryan is an iconic '80s and '90s rom-com actress best known for her role in Sleepless in Seattle. Despite the slew of films that she made during her prime, she never managed to snag any awards for them. Her other movies did just as well as her love story with Tom Hanks.
Sleepless In Hollywood
Aside from starring in Sleepless in Seattle with Tom Hanks, the duo also filmed You've Got Mail together five years later. Ryan has also been in other classics like When Harry Met Sally, Top Gun, and The Women. Unfortunately, despite the repertoire, Hollywood has always slept on her.
Liam Neeson
For whatever reason, Hollywood has never been taken with Taken star Liam Neeson despite his high-profile roles. He was the projected winner for Best Actor thanks to his role in Schindler's List but lost to Tom Hanks' role in Philadelphia. However, despite his action movie past, Neeson has proven that he can play any type of role.
Love Actually
Liam Neeson puts his versatility as an actor on display in a serious role in Love Actually. He plays a widowed father attempting to raise his pre-teen son on his own. While he thinks his son is grieving the loss of his mother, turns out he's actually in love with a pretty classmate. As Hugh Grant says, love actually is all around.
Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen is best known for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings franchise, but for whatever reason, he's gone underappreciated. While he has received two Oscar nominations during his career, he's never managed to bring them home. One thing that does give him an edge is that he is openly gay in Hollywood.
One Role to Rule Them All
McKellen's role as Gandalf is one of his most iconic performances. He plays the kindhearted, though fierce, wizard who helps Frodo Baggins throughout his quest for the ring. Despite his depth as an actor, McKellen has been defined by this role.
Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts isn't quite a household name, but she's certainly famous enough that she should have won an Academy Award by now. She's starred in 21 Grams and The Impossible, both of which earned her nominations. However, she's just not quite "Best Actress" material.
An Indie Movie Queen
Aside from some of Watts' larger roles, she also became a staple in indie movies. From Australian flick Adore to Mulholland Drive. She's able to play the serious feminine lead and the final girl figure. Her depth is there, but her roles aren't hard-hitting enough.
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain made her mark on television with Mad Men but then branched out into Blockbuster films like The Help and Zero Dark Thirty. She has a wide range of talent and a massive fanbase, and she's determined to win an Oscar.
The Help
The Help made waves when Emma Stone, Jessica Chastain, and Viola Davis portray Southern women and their help in the 1950s. It helped shed light on the deep roots of racism through recognizable characters. Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis won viewers' hearts with that "You is kind, you is smart, you is important" scene.
Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury was nominated for an Academy Award three times. Gaslight, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and The Manchurian Candidate are all standout films in her repertoire, but she never managed to win the noms. However, The Academy did honor her in 2014 for working in the industry for over 70 years.
Seven Decades of Success
The New York Times recognized Lansbury as the "First Lady of Musical Theatre" in the 1960s because of the widespread success of the musical Mame. Paired with her "saintly" reputation and longstanding career, she could be regarded as one of Britain's most successful actresses of all time. Watch out, Julie Andrews.
Jeff Daniels
Jeff Daniels' most famous role, even if it's not his best, is arguably in Dumb and Dumber alongside Jim Carrey. The buddy comedy solidified his role as a comedic actor, but his range doesn't stop there. He broke ground in The Newsroom and The Squid and The Whale too.
A Prolific Musician
Daniels has played guitar since the 1970s, and he's said before that while acting is a passion of his, it's not the art that he practices every day. His love of music has driven him to write an autobiography through his songs, and he's booked acoustic tours to share his stories.
Glenn Close
Can you believe Fatal Attraction star Glenn Close has never won an Academy Award? Though she's been nominated seven times and has appeared in hit movies like 101 Dalmatians, The Wife, and Dangerous Liaisons, she's never won for her performances. She is, however, regarded as one of Hollywood's most influential actresses.
Fatal Attraction
The story of Fatal Attraction is timeless, and the surface plot has been redone hundreds of times. Glenn Close plays a woman scorned, and Michael Douglas plays the man who wronged her. It's a murderous love affair that has gripped viewers since the 1980s.
Annette Bening
20th Century Women star Annette Bening has had a long-standing career playing powerful female figures. Not many actresses have been snubbed at the award shows the way she has (except maybe Leo), but 2016 seemed like it would have been her year.
American Beauty
One of Bening's best roles was in the iconic forbidden romance film, American Beauty. She plays Kevin Spacey's wife, oblivious to the fact that he's lusting after their teenaged neighbor. The movie did exceptionally well for how controversial the plot was.
Amy Adams
Amy Adams got her start in romcoms like Enchanted, Leap Year, and Julie and Julia. She's been nominated for six Academy Awards but hasn't won yet. She's started to make a career transition into more serious roles...
Nocturnal Animals
Serious films like Nocturnal Animals, The Fighter, and American Hustle top her list of mature roles. She's solidified her place in Hollywood as a well-rounded actress, able to chameleon her way through whatever script is handed to her. Soon her hard work will pay off.
Michelle Williams
Remember her from Dawson's Creek? The teen drama show launched her into fame alongside James Van Der Beek and Katie Holmes. She was also married to famous late actor Heath Ledger.
Manchester By The Sea
Williams met her late husband while filming Brokeback Mountain and later went on to star in heavy films like Blue Valentine with Ryan Gosling and Manchester By The Sea with Casey Affleck. The latter follows Affleck's character after a tragic house fire kills his young daughters and ruins his marriage with Michelle Williams' character.
Catherine Deneuve
Though she's in her 70s now, French actress Catherine Deneuve was an icon while she was onscreen. Her biggest role was in Umbrellas of Cherbourg, a timeless romance film. For whatever reason, her legacy has been overlooked by The Academy.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
The plot of the hit film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg follows an umbrella boutique owner and her beautiful daughter living in the town of Cherbourg in Normandy, France. The daughter, Geneviève, falls in love with a handsome mechanic despite her mother's disapproval.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Remember Catwoman? Michelle Pfeiffer has been an iconic leading lady since the 1980s, and she's a three-time Academy Award nominee. However, the number of lackluster roles she's taken has kept her from winning any titles.
A Dark Rom Com
One of Pfeiffer's more niche roles was in To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday with Peter Gallagher and Claire Danes. She plays Gallagher's deceased wife whom he cannot let go of, and the story follows her family's attempts at trying to recover from the loss a year later. It's a heartbreaking coming of age film for Danes' character and a poignant take on grief for Gallagher's.
Will Smith
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Will Smith has done everything from television to film to action to comedy to drama. Yet he still has never won an Academy Award. He's one of Hollywood's favorite actors, so maybe one day he'll take home the coveted "Best Actor" trophy.
The Pursuit of Happyness
If you have to name a standout film from Will Smith's backlog, it better be The Pursuit of Happyness. He and real-life son Jaden star in this heartbreaking story about a homeless father who tries to create a better life for his child. If you ever need to cry, this is the movie for you.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal has starred in everything from Donnie Darko to Brokeback Mountain. He dated celebs like Kirsten Dunst and Taylor Swift before he took on more serious roles. Nightcrawler, Prisoners, and Southpaw are some of his most esteemed roles.
Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko has gone down in history as a niche cult classic for pretentious film buffs everywhere. It's a clever sci-fi film that explores the depths of the teen psyche through a larger-than-life rabbit puppet apparition. It propelled Jake Gyllenhaal's career into succession.
Viggo Mortensen
Danish-American actor Viggo Mortensen is famous for his roles in Lord of the Rings, Green Book, and The Road. He's a top choice for action movies like Hidalgo, and his rugged good looks have charmed fans for decades. However, he's also done a slew of less-than-impressive films.
Green Book
Mortensen's most recent role, Green Book, details the real-life story of a cross-country tour through the deep south during the height of the Jim Crowe era. Mortensen's character drives an African American musician to his performances, and his eyes are opened to the harsh realities of racism.
Willem Dafoe
Most kids remember Willem Dafoe for his role as The Green Goblin in Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man series. His recent roles include the esteemed A-24 film, The Lighthouse alongside Robert Pattinson. It relaunched his career after a short hiatus.
The Lighthouse
A-24 has picked up speed over the last couple of years with films like Hereditary, Parasite, Midsommar, and most recently, The Lighthouse. This particular film details two seamen keeping watch over a lighthouse, but insanity gets the better of them.
Sam Elliott
Sam Elliott's most recent role was in A Star Is Born as Bradley Cooper's brother and band manager. He has had quite the prolific career, but one other thing he has in common with Cooper is that he has never won an Academy Award, either.
Roadhouse
Roadhouse might be the film that helped kick Patrick Swayze into the action world, but Sam Elliott also had a prominent role in the film. He plays a bar bouncer and Swayze's mentor and foil character. It's one of Swayze's most renowned films, but Elliott's role wasn't exciting enough to land him any traction.
Ed Harris
Ed Harris has been featured in movies like Pollock, Apollo 13, and The Hours, but few people could recognize him as a household name. Despite the high-profile films he's been a part of, his acting style and image is just a little too vague.
Apollo 13
The plot of Apollo 13 follows the launch of the Apollo 13 lunar mission. The movie follows the action from the space center as well as within the spaceship. The astronauts are played by Kevin Bacon, Tom Hanks, and Bill Paxton. Harris plays the White Team Flight Director.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan first made waves when she starred in The Lovely Bones, a murder mystery with Stanley Tucci and Mark Wahlberg. Then, she took on more roles in the sci-fi world when she starred in The Host, written by Twilight author Stephenie Meyer. She'd had trouble in the past breaking out of the young adult world, though.
More Mature Roles
Recently, Ronan took the starring role in Little Women with Timothee Chalamet. She also starred in Lady Bird with Kate Winslet, a film about forbidden love. She's pushing past the boundaries of teen films and playing legitimate dramatic roles, and so far she's succeeded.
Laura Linney
Laura Linney has starred in Love, Actually, Ozark, and The Savages, yet has never taken home a win. She's not exactly a household name, but she has starred in large enough projects that she should have at least been nominated by now.
Woody Harrelson
Known lately for his roles in The Hunger Games, Zombieland, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Woody Harrelson has established himself as an "Everyman" in Hollywood. He's a fantastic comedian, a gripping dramatist, and a convincing action star. Despite the range, he's never managed to be taken completely seriously.