15 Leading Ladies With the Most Oscar Nominations and No Wins

15 Leading Ladies With the Most Oscar Nominations and No Wins

Hollywood’s greatest honor, the Academy Award, has eluded some of the most talented actresses despite multiple nominations. These women have delivered unforgettable performances that captivated audiences and critics alike. Yet somehow, they’ve never taken home the golden statue, creating one of the film industry’s most fascinating paradoxes: extraordinary talent repeatedly recognized but never rewarded with Oscar gold.

1. Glenn Close

The queen of Oscar snubs, Glenn Close has amassed an astounding eight nominations without a single win. Her first nomination came for 1982’s “The World According to Garp,” followed by stellar performances in films like “Fatal Attraction” and “Dangerous Liaisons.”

Close came heartbreakingly close in 2019 with her role in “The Wife,” widely considered a sure win until Olivia Colman’s surprise victory for “The Favourite.” Her remarkable versatility spans decades, from villainous Cruella de Vil to the nuanced portrayal of a woman living as a man in “Albert Nobbs.”

Despite these Academy disappointments, Close’s legacy as one of America’s finest actresses remains secure with numerous Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe awards decorating her shelves instead.

2. Deborah Kerr

British elegance personified, Deborah Kerr accumulated six Best Actress nominations between 1949 and 1960 without claiming victory. Her memorable roles included the passionate adulteress in “From Here to Eternity” and the governess in “The King and I.”

The Academy finally acknowledged this oversight in 1994, presenting Kerr with an Honorary Oscar “in appreciation for a full career’s worth of elegant and beautifully crafted performances.” Her refined presence and ability to convey complex emotions with subtle gestures made her a director’s dream.

Kerr’s famous beach scene with Burt Lancaster remains one of cinema’s most iconic moments, demonstrating how her performances transcended awards to become part of film history. Her gracious acceptance of the Honorary Oscar revealed her class until the very end.

3. Thelma Ritter

Character actress extraordinaire Thelma Ritter holds the unfortunate distinction of six Supporting Actress nominations with zero wins. Known for her sharp-tongued, no-nonsense roles, Ritter brought authenticity to every character she portrayed in classics like “All About Eve” and “Rear Window.”

Her Brooklyn accent and impeccable comic timing made her Hollywood’s go-to for scene-stealing supporting roles throughout the 1950s. Despite never winning the coveted Oscar, Ritter’s performances have aged like fine wine, with modern critics often citing her work as masterclasses in character acting.

Alfred Hitchcock so valued her talents that he cast her in multiple films, recognizing how her everyday authenticity grounded his suspenseful narratives. Her first nomination came for her brief but memorable role in “All About Eve” – just 14 minutes of screen time that launched six Oscar bids.

4. Amy Adams

From enchanted princess in “Enchanted” to hard-edged journalist in “Sharp Objects,” Amy Adams has demonstrated remarkable range across her six Oscar nominations. Her ability to disappear into wildly different characters has earned her critical acclaim for films like “The Fighter,” “American Hustle,” and “Vice.”

Adams often portrays women with quiet strength and complex inner lives, bringing depth to roles that might seem one-dimensional on paper. Her performances in “Arrival” and “Doubt” showcase her talent for conveying volumes through subtle expressions and carefully measured dialogue.

Many critics consider her performance as linguist Louise Banks in “Arrival” one of the most egregious Oscar snubs in recent memory. With each new role, Adams continues building one of Hollywood’s most impressive resumes, suggesting that her Oscar moment may still be coming.

5. Annette Bening

Precision and emotional intelligence define Annette Bening’s five Oscar-nominated performances. Her breakthrough in “The Grifters” showcased her ability to balance vulnerability with steely resolve – a hallmark of her subsequent work in films like “American Beauty” and “The Kids Are All Right.”

Bening’s performances often explore the complexities of motherhood and middle age with rare honesty and zero vanity. Her work in “20th Century Women” deserved more recognition, offering a master class in creating a fully realized character who feels authentically of her time yet timeless.

Married to Oscar-winner Warren Beatty, Bening has maintained a selective approach to roles, choosing quality over quantity throughout her career. This thoughtful curation has resulted in a filmography with remarkably few missteps and a reputation as one of her generation’s most respected performers.

6. Irene Dunne

Golden Age star Irene Dunne earned five Best Actress nominations between 1931 and 1948 without taking home the prize. Equally adept at tearjerkers like “I Remember Mama” and screwball comedies like “The Awful Truth,” Dunne possessed a versatility rare among her contemporaries.

Her sophisticated screen presence and impeccable comic timing made her a favorite of directors like Leo McCarey, who cast her opposite Cary Grant in some of the era’s most beloved romantic comedies. Despite competing against powerhouses like Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn, Dunne consistently delivered performances that have stood the test of time.

Off-screen, Dunne was appointed by President Eisenhower as an alternate delegate to the United Nations, showing the same intelligence and poise that characterized her film work. Her ability to shift between comedy and drama made her one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars during her prime.

7. Michelle Williams

From teen drama “Dawson’s Creek” to five-time Oscar nominee, Michelle Williams has built a career on portraying women navigating profound grief and complex emotional terrain. Her transformative performances in “Brokeback Mountain,” “Blue Valentine,” and “My Week with Marilyn” showcase her extraordinary emotional range.

Williams disappears completely into her roles, whether playing Marilyn Monroe or ordinary women facing extraordinary circumstances. Her subtle, naturalistic acting style eschews showy moments in favor of psychological truth, perhaps explaining why she’s consistently nominated but hasn’t yet won.

Her portrayal of a woman struggling with depression in “Manchester by the Sea” demonstrated her ability to convey volumes in just a few minutes of screen time. Williams carefully balances her acting career with motherhood, making her selective choices and consistently outstanding performances all the more impressive.

8. Saoirse Ronan

Irish powerhouse Saoirse Ronan received her first Oscar nomination at just 13 for “Atonement,” signaling the arrival of a once-in-a-generation talent. Her subsequent nominations for “Brooklyn,” “Lady Bird,” and “Little Women” have cemented her reputation as one of her generation’s finest actresses.

Ronan’s ability to disappear into different time periods and accents while maintaining emotional authenticity sets her apart from peers. Her collaboration with director Greta Gerwig has produced some of her most celebrated work, creating young women who feel both of their time and startlingly modern.

Despite her youth, Ronan brings old-soul wisdom to her performances, particularly in period pieces where she avoids the trap of contemporary mannerisms. With decades ahead in her career, many critics believe it’s only a matter of time before she converts one of her nominations into a win.

9. Greta Garbo

The enigmatic Greta Garbo, whose famous wish was to be “left alone,” received three Oscar nominations during her brief but legendary career. Her luminous presence in films like “Anna Christie” and “Camille” created a new template for screen acting that emphasized subtlety over theatrical gestures.

Garbo’s mystique was enhanced by her early retirement at age 35, leaving audiences forever wanting more. The Academy awarded her an Honorary Oscar in 1954, but the reclusive star didn’t attend the ceremony, adding another layer to her mysterious persona.

Her performances still feel remarkably modern, with her naturalistic style predating the Method acting revolution by decades. Garbo’s famous face, captured in countless portraits, became the definition of cinematic beauty, while her androgynous style in films like “Queen Christina” challenged gender norms of her era.

10. Carey Mulligan

British actress Carey Mulligan burst onto the scene with her Oscar-nominated performance in “An Education,” playing a schoolgirl seduced by an older man with a perfect balance of innocence and intelligence. Her subsequent work in films like “Shame,” “Wildlife,” and “Promising Young Woman” has showcased her extraordinary range.

Mulligan excels at portraying women whose polite exteriors mask complicated inner lives and unexpected strength. Her performance in “Promising Young Woman” earned her a second nomination, with many critics believing she should have won for her portrayal of a woman seeking vengeance for her friend’s sexual assault.

Unlike many of her peers, Mulligan avoids social media and limits her public appearances, letting her work speak for itself. Her third nomination for “Maestro” further solidified her status as one of her generation’s most consistently excellent performers.

11. Eleanor Parker

Known to younger generations primarily as the Baroness in “The Sound of Music,” Eleanor Parker was actually a chameleon-like actress with three Oscar nominations to her name. Her extraordinary versatility allowed her to play everything from prisoners to polio victims to glamorous socialites with equal conviction.

Parker’s nominations came for “Caged,” where she played a hardened prison inmate, “Detective Story,” and “Interrupted Melody,” where she portrayed an opera singer stricken with polio. Despite these acclaimed performances, Parker never developed the distinctive star persona that might have made her more memorable to casual moviegoers.

Film historian Doug McClelland dubbed her “the woman of a thousand faces,” referencing her ability to physically transform for roles long before such transformations became Oscar bait. Her subtle approach to character development and resistance to typecasting may explain why she remains underappreciated despite her impressive filmography.

12. Michelle Pfeiffer

With her ethereal beauty and surprising grit, Michelle Pfeiffer earned three Oscar nominations in the late 1980s and early 1990s for “Dangerous Liaisons,” “The Fabulous Baker Boys,” and “Love Field.” Her famous piano scene in “The Fabulous Baker Boys” remains one of cinema’s most smoldering moments, perfectly capturing her unique blend of vulnerability and sensuality.

Pfeiffer’s career has been marked by brave choices and resistance to typecasting, from her portrayal of Catwoman in “Batman Returns” to a weathered waitress in “Frankie and Johnny.” After a self-imposed hiatus to raise her children, she returned to acclaim in films like “Mother!” and “French Exit.”

Her recent renaissance has reminded audiences of her extraordinary talent for finding the humanity in even the most glamorous or villainous characters. Few actresses have managed to be simultaneously ethereal and earthy the way Pfeiffer does in her best roles.

13. Sigourney Weaver

Standing tall at 5’11”, Sigourney Weaver broke the mold for Hollywood heroines with her iconic role as Ellen Ripley in the “Alien” franchise. Her portrayal of the ultimate sci-fi survivor earned her one of her three Oscar nominations, alongside nods for “Gorillas in the Mist” and “Working Girl” in the same year.

Weaver made history in 1989 as the first person to receive two acting nominations in the same year since 1983. Her ability to move between genres – from science fiction to comedy to intense drama – speaks to her remarkable versatility and intelligence as a performer.

Despite never winning an Oscar, Weaver’s cultural impact has been enormous, particularly in creating a template for female action heroes that didn’t rely on sexualization. Her scientific background (her father was NBC’s president and her mother was English actress Elizabeth Inglis) informs her thoughtful approach to characters.

14. Debra Winger

The epitome of 1980s raw authenticity, Debra Winger earned three Oscar nominations for “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “Shadowlands.” Her gritty, vulnerable performances stood in stark contrast to the polished glamour often associated with Hollywood leading ladies

Winger became famous not just for her talent but for her outspoken nature and eventual decision to step away from Hollywood at the height of her fame. The documentary “Searching for Debra Winger” used her career choices to explore the challenges facing women in the film industry.

Her chemistry with co-stars like Richard Gere and John Travolta created some of cinema’s most memorable romantic pairings. After a self-imposed hiatus, Winger returned to selective roles that showcase her still-formidable talent, though she has yet to receive another Oscar nomination despite acclaimed work in independent films.

15. Natalie Wood

From child star to tragic Hollywood legend, Natalie Wood earned three Oscar nominations before her mysterious drowning death at age 43. Her nominations for “Rebel Without a Cause,” “Splendor in the Grass,” and “Love with the Proper Stranger” showcased her evolution from precocious child to complex adult performer.

Wood’s huge, expressive eyes conveyed emotional depths that made her perfect for portraying troubled young women coming of age in America. Her performances still resonate with their rawness and emotional honesty, particularly her work with director Elia Kazan in “Splendor in the Grass.”

Beyond her acting talent, Wood was one of the first Hollywood stars to speak openly about therapy and mental health struggles. Her untimely death in 1981 cut short a career that was transitioning successfully into more mature roles, leaving fans to wonder what performances might have been.