Top 10 Actors Who Won Oscars for the Wrong Role
#10: Whoopi Goldberg
“Ghost” (1990) "Ghost" did well at the Academy Awards, with Whoopi Goldberg earning her sole Oscar for the role of Oda Mae Brown. As the fraudulent psychic who suddenly experiences the real thing, Goldberg is perhaps the best part of the entire movie. While Oda is a memorable character, Goldberg should have already bagged an Oscar for her performance in 1985's "The Color Purple." Goldberg delivers a powerful and multilayered performance as Celie, a woman who perseveres through hell. "The Color Purple" was only Goldberg's second feature film and Celie was by far her biggest movie role at the time.
#9: James Cagney
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“Yankee Doodle Dandy” (1942) Some actors leave such an impact on a genre, they become synonymous with it. When it comes to gangster and, to a lesser extent, noir flicks, few names hold as much weight as James Cagney. An intense and unforgettable turn in "The Public Enemy" cemented Cagney as the ultimate gangster, a reputation the actor would try to escape for the majority of his career. In his most successful attempt to go against type, Cagney earned an Oscar for the musical biopic "Yankee Doodle Dandy." As good as that performance was, it’s a crime that Cagney never earned an Oscar for the roles that shaped his legacy, particularly "White Heat" and "Angels With Dirty Faces."
#8: Jack Nicholson
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“As Good as It Gets” (1997) Over a career spanning decades and dozens of fantastic roles, Jack Nicholson won two Best Actor Oscars, the first for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and the last for "As Good As It Gets." Nicholson is naturally great in the 1997 romantic comedy, but "As Good As It Gets" is ultimately just a footnote in the actor's storied career. When it comes to performances, Nicholson should have probably nabbed a few more Oscars during the early '70s. "Five Easy Pieces," "The Last Detail," and "Chinatown" represent Nicholson at his absolute best.
#7: Jack Palance
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“City Slickers” (1991) One of Hollywood's greatest supporting players, Jack Palance had been setting the standard for scene-stealing bad guys for nearly half a century before he finally won an Oscar for "City Slickers." Palance is a joy as the tough-as-nails Curly, but "City Slickers" came at the tail-end of a career filled with more complex and significant roles. In the '50s and '60s, Palance consistently delivered great performances, and even earned Academy Award nominations for "Shane" and "Sudden Fear." Palance certainly deserved to win an Oscar at some point, but his best work happened long before "City Slickers."
#6: Morgan Freeman
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“Million Dollar Baby” (2004) Surprisingly, Morgan Freeman has only won a single Academy Award, a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for "Million Dollar Baby." As a former boxer turned gym hand, Freeman brought heart, gravitas, humor, and narration to the role of Eddie Dupris. Freeman's filmography is not exactly lacking in excellent entries, but the actor's turn as Red in "The Shawshank Redemption" manages to stand out even amidst a sea of great roles. That year, Freeman lost out to Tom Hanks' Forrest Gump at the Oscars, a decision that is still one of the Academy's most polarizing. Oscars for "Unforgiven" and "Seven" wouldn't have hurt either.
#5: Denzel Washington
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“Training Day” (2001) After winning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for "Glory," Denzel Washington finally took home the Best Actor prize for "Training Day's" dirty cop. A rare villainous turn for Washington, Detective Harris is an irresistible force of nature, the type of role that elevates a decent movie into a great one. The thing is that by the time "Training Day" was released, Washington should have already scored a Best Actor win for "Malcolm X." An epic performance worthy of such an ambitious biopic, Washington brought the historical figure to life completely, embodying Malcolm X's public and behind-the-scenes persona.
#4: Judi Dench
“Shakespeare in Love” (1998) Although "Shakespeare in Love" left the 71st Academy Awards with three Oscars, including a Best Supporting Actress win for Judi Dench, these victories were muddied by the aggressive marketing campaign that preceded the ceremony. While charming as Queen Elizabeth I in "Shakespeare in Love," Dench has had plenty of weightier roles throughout her career, some of which she earned Oscar nominations for. "Mrs. Brown," "Philomena," "Iris," and "Notes on a Scandal" all have Dench in fine form, demonstrating the actress's natural capacity for instilling each character with humanity and heart.
#3: Leonardo DiCaprio
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“The Revenant” (2015) For the longest time, Leonardo DiCaprio was that A-list star who just couldn't win an Oscar. Four nominations came and went before the Academy finally decided to break the streak, handing DiCaprio a Best Actor win for "The Revenant." Although DiCaprio produced an impressively physical performance for the grueling Western film, the actor should have probably won an Oscar for his career-making turn in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," a challenging role that could have been unbearable in less capable hands. "The Wolf of Wall Street" also brought out the best in DiCaprio in the most entertaining way.
#2: Elizabeth Taylor
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“BUtterfield 8” (1960) A Hollywood legend, Elizabeth Taylor lit up the screen as few actors have ever been able to. Nobody's likely to claim that Taylor didn't deserve an Oscar for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," but the actress herself was less impressed with her other Academy Award-winning film, "BUtterfield 8." Taylor's hatred for "BUtterfield 8" aside, the actress turned in a powerful performance as Gloria, even if the 1960 film is not quite an essential entry in her filmography. Peak Taylor can be found in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "A Place in the Sun," "Giant," and "Suddenly Last Summer." Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Alicia Vikander, “The Danish Girl” (2015) Because Vikander Reached Near Perfection in “Ex Machina” Jack Lemmon, “Save the Tiger” (1973) Because a Comedy Legend Had to Star in a Drama to Win a Best Actor Oscar Jessica Lange, “Tootsie” (1982) Because “Frances” Also Came Out in 1982 Paul Newman, “The Color of Money” (1986) Because “The Hustler,” “Cool Hand Luke,” & “The Verdict” Exist Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart” (2009) Because Bridges Starred in Two Great Coen Brothers Movies & Got No Oscars for Them
#1: Al Pacino
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“Scent of a Woman” (1992) After literally decades of close calls, Al Pacino finally won an Oscar in the early '90s. Giving the type of over-the-top performance that would come to define his late career, Al Pacino is a lot of fun in "Scent of a Woman," but the Oscar win did feel like a lifetime achievement award. Pacino's filmography speaks for itself, as does the fact the actor was nominated four consecutive times in the '70s. Pacino didn't manage to win an Oscar for "The Godfather" movies, "Serpico," or "Dog Day Afternoon," which is the type of fact that just feels wrong.
