The Academy Awards have honored some of the greatest performances in cinematic history, but not every brilliant portrayal gets the recognition it deserves. Over the years, many outstanding supporting performances have been overlooked by the Oscars, leaving fans and critics frustrated. Whether due to tough competition, political factors or just being ahead of their time, these performances deserved far more than just a nomination or worse, no nomination at all.
Robert Shaw – Jaws, 1975
Robert Shaw’s portrayal of the grizzled shark hunter Quint in Jaws is nothing short of legendary. His intensity, raw charisma, and unforgettable delivery of the USS Indianapolis monologue make him the emotional anchor of the film. Despite this, Shaw was not even nominated, leaving one of the greatest supporting performances in cinema history without recognition. His absence from the awards conversation remains one of the most baffling Oscar snubs to date.
Alan Rickman – Die Hard, 1988
As the cunning and ruthless Hans Gruber, Alan Rickman delivered one of the most iconic villainous performances ever. His suave demeanor, sharp wit and chilling presence turned Die Hard into much more than just an action film. Yet, the Academy has historically overlooked performances in action movies, leaving Rickman without even a nomination. His Gruber remains one of the best on screen antagonists of all time, making his snub all the more egregious.
Donald Sutherland – Ordinary People, 1980
While Ordinary People took home multiple Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, Donald Sutherland’s quietly powerful performance as a father struggling to keep his fractured family together was completely overlooked. His understated and deeply human portrayal added emotional depth to the film and many argue that he was the true heart of the story. That he was not even nominated remains a glaring omission.
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Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction, 1994
Although Samuel L. Jackson did receive a nomination for his role as the philosophical hitman Jules Winnfield, many believe he was robbed of the win. His commanding screen presence, unforgettable monologues and perfect blend of menace and humor made his performance one of the most memorable of the decade. Unfortunately, he lost to Martin Landau for Ed Wood. While Landau was great, Jackson’s Jules Winnfield became a cultural icon and his loss remains one of the biggest disappointments in Oscar history.
Tim Roth – Rob Roy, 1995
Tim Roth’s portrayal of the sadistic, aristocratic villain Archibald Cunningham in Rob Roy is one of the greatest examples of an actor completely losing himself in a role. His mannerisms, arrogance and cruelty made him an utterly captivating antagonist. He was nominated but lost to Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects, leaving many wondering why Roth’s terrifyingly brilliant performance did not take home the award.
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Emily Blunt – The Devil Wears Prada, 2006
While Meryl Streep received much deserved acclaim for The Devil Wears Prada, Emily Blunt stole nearly every scene she was in as the hilariously snarky and deeply insecure assistant, Emily Charlton. Her comedic timing, perfect delivery and underlying vulnerability made her one of the standout characters of the film. Yet, she was not even nominated, proving that comedic performances often get unfairly overlooked by the Academy.
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Jack Nicholson – The Shining, 1980
Jack Nicholson’s unhinged descent into madness as Jack Torrance in The Shining remains one of the greatest performances in horror history. His iconic line, “Here’s Johnny!,” is cemented in pop culture, yet the Academy ignored the film entirely. Horror has historically struggled to gain recognition at the Oscars and Nicholson’s snub remains one of the biggest examples of this bias.
Mia Farrow – Rosemary’s Baby, 1968
Though Ruth Gordon won Best Supporting Actress for the film, Mia Farrow’s performance as the tormented Rosemary was the emotional core of Rosemary’s Baby. Her slow unraveling into paranoia and horror was masterfully executed, yet she wasn’t even nominated. It remains one of the most egregious snubs for a leading actress in film history.
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Brad Pitt – 12 Monkeys, 1995
Brad Pitt’s manic, unpredictable portrayal of Jeffrey Goines in 12 Monkeys was a complete transformation from his usual roles. His jittery, eccentric performance stole every scene, showing a side of Pitt that audiences had never seen before. Though he was nominated, he lost to Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects, a decision many still debate.
Tilda Swinton – Michael Clayton, 2007
Though Tilda Swinton did eventually win for this role, it felt more like a “makeup Oscar” for years of overlooked brilliance. Her chilling performance in Michael Clayton as an unscrupulous corporate lawyer deserved even more recognition and her overall career has seen multiple snubs for roles in films like We Need to Talk About Kevin and Snowpiercer.
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Hugh Grant – Florence Foster Jenkins, 2016
While Meryl Streep dominated the spotlight in Florence Foster Jenkins, Hugh Grant gave one of the best performances of his career as her devoted yet conflicted husband. His ability to balance charm, heartbreak and humor was remarkable, yet he did not even receive a nomination. Grant’s performance showcased a depth that was sadly overlooked by the Academy.
Oscar Isaac – Ex Machina, 2014
Oscar Isaac’s portrayal of the eccentric and morally ambiguous tech mogul Nathan Bateman in Ex Machina was a masterclass in psychological manipulation. His unsettling calm, bursts of intensity and scene stealing dance sequence made his performance one of the best of the year. Yet, he was overlooked by the Academy, proving that indie sci-fi films often struggle to receive acting nominations.
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Year after year, the Academy has made questionable decisions and many incredible supporting performances have gone unrecognized. These 12 actors brought unforgettable characters to life, delivering some of the most impressive performances in film history. Though they were robbed of Oscar glory, their work continues to be celebrated by audiences and critics alike. Awards do not define greatness and these performances are proof that true cinematic excellence can stand the test of time, whether or not it comes with a golden statue.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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