Several actors with most Oscar nominations without a win later received Honorary Oscars — but those prizes do not erase competitive droughts. Peter O'Toole and Deborah Kerr illustrate the distinction every awards fan should know.

Honorary Oscars celebrate career contribution without counting toward competitive acting win totals. Performers on the actors with most Oscar nominations without a win list can accept both tracks — separately.

Deborah Kerr earned six competitive nominations without a win before the Academy honored her in 1994. She remains on the actors with most Oscar nominations without a win chart because honorary prizes are separate.

Peter O'Toole accepted an Honorary Oscar in 2003 while still eligible competitively — then earned an eighth Best Actor nomination in 2006 for Venus. His actors with most Oscar nominations without a win total kept climbing.

Academy voters nominate within categories but the full membership picks winners — a system that produces actors with most Oscar nominations without a win even after lifetime honors arrive on ceremony night.