Here Are 15 Actors I Think Won Their Oscars For The Wrong Performances — And I Fear Some Of These Might Be Controversial

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Winning an Oscar is pretty much the highest accolade you can receive as someone involved in filmmaking. However, it’s no secret that the Academy voters occasionally get it wrong.

The most obvious example of this is when very deserving actors go unrewarded for repeatedly great performances. I’m talking about people like Amy Adams, Saoirse Ronan, Michelle Williams, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, Tom Cruise, and Jake Gyllenhaal — stars who you’d think have at least one Oscar already but actually don’t.

Two men in tuxedos holding Oscars, posing with smiles and arms around each other, in front of an Oscars backdrop

And then, there’s another instance: When actors do get Oscars, but not for what many deem to be their best performance. Like, how often have you seen “Academy Award Winner” in front of an iconic actor’s name, searched up the movie they won for, and found yourself thinking…what?

Four people on a red carpet smiling and holding awards; two wear elegant gowns and two wear suits

Of course, there’s a whole lot more that goes into an acting Oscar-win than just giving an excellent performance. The thousands of Academy voters take into account all kinds of factors, from the actor’s campaign, the studio they’re working with, whether they’ve won before, and, in some cases, what stage of their career they’re in.

Four people stand together with Oscars. Two wear white tuxedos, one in a beige gown, and another in a blue dress. An Oscar statue is in the background

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Because of all this, people have started questioning the actual value of an Oscar win — and it’s a valid line of discussion. But, without further ado, here’s a bunch of people with Oscars for (IMO) the wrong performances...

1. Leonardo DiCaprio — Best Actor, 2016

Person in a tuxedo holding an Oscar statue at an awards event

Won for: The Revenant

A rugged, bearded man with a wounded shoulder looks intensely out of a window in a rustic setting

Should've won for: The Wolf of Wall Street

A person in a suit stands with arms outstretched, addressing a crowded office. People are applauding from their desks. Clocks show various cities

2. Alicia Vikander — Best Supporting Actress, 2016

Person in strapless gown holds an award, speaking at a microphone on a stage

Won for: The Danish Girl

A woman with a short bob hairstyle and vintage-style dress looks pensively at a man seated across from her indoors

Should've won for: Ex Machina

A humanoid robot with a transparent head and mechanical neck looks at its face reflection on a glass surface in a futuristic setting

3. Denzel Washington — Best Actor, 2002

Person in formal wear holding an award statue, standing in front of an awards backdrop with an ABC logo

Frank Micelotta Archive / Getty Images

Won for: Training Day

Man in a leather jacket and chain necklace, smiling with outstretched arms

Should've won for: Malcolm X

A man in a suit and tie, wearing glasses, sits behind several microphones, appearing serious and focused

4. Heath Ledger — Best Supporting Actor, 2009

I don't know who this is, but the person is on a red carpet wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie and a cross pin on the lapel

Won for: The Dark Knight

Person in a purple suit with smeared makeup holds a joker card while smiling

Should've won for: Brokeback Mountain

Two people wearing cowboy hats and jackets stand outdoors, gazing into the distance. Their expressions appear thoughtful and serious

5. Jennifer Lawrence — Best Actress, 2013

A woman on stage holds an award, smiling. She is wearing an elegant strapless gown

Won for: Silver Linings Playbook

Two people stand and face each other in a room with a family portrait in the background. The woman wears a black outfit; the man wears a football jersey

Should've won for: Winter's Bone

Person outside on a farm, wearing a casual jacket, holding a horse. Logs and farm tools are in the background

6. Al Pacino — Best Actor, 1993

Man in tuxedo holds an award statuette on stage, smiling and raising it triumphantly

Won for: Scent of a Woman

Two men in suits walk on a city street, engaged in conversation. One wears a coat and holds a cane, the other wears a dark overcoat and patterned tie

Should've won for: The Godfather

Man in a suit sits in an armchair, gazing pensively

7. Kate Winslet — Best Actress, 2009

Person holds an Oscar award on stage, wearing a one-shoulder gown, smiling broadly

Won for: The Reader

Person in an old-fashioned train uniform, looking through a window with a neutral expression. Background shows another person out of focus

Should've won for: Revolutionary Road

Two people are sitting closely on a vintage-style sofa, smiling and embracing, with a cozy home setting in the background

8. Jack Nicholson — Best Actor, 1975, Best Supporting Actor, 1983, Best Actor, 1998

Person in a tuxedo, wearing sunglasses, holding an Oscar statue, standing in front of an Oscars backdrop

Won for: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Terms of Endearment, and As Good as It Gets.

A man in a denim shirt and a smock stands behind protective glass, talking to a nurse in uniform, suggesting a mental health facility setting

Should've (also) won for: A Few Good Men

9. Will Smith — Best Actor, 2022

Person holding an award on stage, wearing a formal suit, with a microphone in front

Won for: King Richard

A man in a sporty outfit with a jacket and tennis shorts walks confidently, accompanied by a group of people on a tennis court

Should've won for: The Pursuit Of Happyness

A man in a suit and a child with curly hair sit pensively on chairs in a waiting area. A toy and lunchbox are on the floor beside them

10. Russell Crowe — Best Actor, 2001

Person in formal suit holding an award statue, smiling with a blue backdrop

Won for: Gladiator

Person in Roman gladiator attire holding a sword, shouting in an arena setting with spectators in the background

Should've won for: A Beautiful Mind

Person outdoors wearing a layered outfit with a coat, sweater, and shirt, looking contemplative

11. Whoopi Goldberg — Best Supporting Actress, 1991

Person holding an Oscar, wearing a sparkling gown and pearl necklace, smiling at an event

Won for: Ghost

Should've won for: The Color Purple

A person wearing early 20th-century attire, including a hat with a flower, stands pensively outdoors with others in the background

12. Brad Pitt — Best Supporting Actor, 2020

A person in a tuxedo holding an award on a stage backdrop, suggesting an award ceremony or event

Won for: Once Upon A Time... in Hollywood

Two actors in a film scene; one in a brown leather jacket, the other in a denim jacket with sunglasses. Vintage cars are in the background

Should've won for: Moneyball

Two men stand outdoors; one wears a visor and polo shirt, the other a suit and glasses. They appear to be engaged in conversation

13. Sandra Bullock — Best Actress, 2010

Person holding an Oscar award, wearing a detailed sparkling gown, smiling at an award ceremony

Won for: The Blind Side

Person sitting in a car, adjusting sunglasses, appearing focused

Should've won for: Gravity

Person in a space environment wearing large headphones, appearing focused. Casual tank top and wristband visible

And some extra mentions for actors who have honorary Oscars, but not competitive ones...

14. Samuel L. Jackson — Honorary Oscar, 2021

A person in a formal velvet-trimmed suit holds an award on stage, smiling at an audience

Should have an Oscar for: Pulp Fiction

A character in a black suit with a white shirt points a gun, looking serious

15. Angela Bassett — Honorary Oscar, 2024

Person in elegant gown holds an award statue, smiling while standing at a podium on stage

Should have an Oscar for: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

A person in an elaborate headdress and ornate gold jewelry sits in a formal setting, appearing focused and intense

So, that's what I have! Do you disagree with any of these, or do you have any other examples I missed? LMK in the comments!

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