The 98th Academy Awards era still features global stars among actors who never won an Oscar competitively. Here are the active names who could break through — or extend legendary droughts.

Amy Adams owns six nominations without a win — the highest current total among actors who never won an Oscar still working at the top of the industry. One more prestige role could change everything.

Willem Dafoe has four acting nominations spanning Platoon through At Eternity's Gate without a competitive win. He stays firmly on the actors who never won an Oscar watch list every awards season.

Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and Harrison Ford built billion-dollar careers yet remain actors who never won an Oscar in competitive categories. Voter bias toward prestige dramas over action franchises persists.

Every red carpet season revives overdue narratives for actors who never won an Oscar. Compare current nominees in our Oscar nominees 2026 guide to see who might finally exit the club.