What?! Ed Harris has never won an Oscar? He has really deserved one for several roles he’s played. I’ve never seen him in a “fluff” role; everything he does is quality work. Give Ed an Oscar, dammit!
Of the actors mentioned so far, I’d say Johnny Depp and Edward Norton are most deserving.
John Cusack, Renee Zellweger, Dennis Quaid, Steve Buscemi, and Ed Harris are in the next tier.
As for Dennis Quaid getting better all the time: hell, I thought he turned in a stellar performance in Breaking Away, one of his first films.
I don’t get the Tom Cruise admirers in this thread. He plays the same character in every movie. Or at least his acting makes it seem that way.
And Brad Pitt can’t out-act a 2x4, IMHO.
Hey, what about Clint Eastwood? He’s never won an acting oscar. Surely he’ll play an old coot in a movie one day and the academy will give him a sympathy Oscar, a la Paul Newman in Color of Money.
Ian Holm was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the athletic trainer in “Chariots of Fire” Why he didn’t win I don’t know, I think his performance in that was as good as any of the principals. And the movie did win Best Picture.
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Tom Cruise
Did Robert Duvall win for The Apostle? If not, he deserves a nod for his body of work.
John Cusack, definately. He may just never get the right role at the right time.
Edward Norton, on the other hand, almost certainly will get the right role sooner or later, probably sooner.
Has Ray Liotta won one? Goodfellas, maybe? I’'d look these up, but my computer has slowed waaaay down. If not, his performances have gotten very good lately.
Robert DuVall definitely deserves an Oscar. He’s one of the most believable actors I’ve ever seen. Right up there with Pacino & Samuel L. Jackson.
For the generation my age, I’d have to reccomend Johnny Depp. He chooses some demanding roles. Val Kilmer is good too, but I hear he’s ‘difficult’.
** Morgan Freeman
Sir Ian McKellen
Ian Holm**
and
John Malkovich
I don’t think any of them have won yet. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Don’t remember, think she was nominated for Sixth Sense, but IMHO, Toni Collete (sp) should have gotten best supporting actress. Best believable mom in a long time.
I used to think of Brad Pitt as just fluff, then I rented Kalifornia and 12 Monkeys.
None have won, but my correction is that I’m pretty sure Ian Holm has been knighted as well. 
Have you seen Snatch?
He has an Oscar–for Tender Mercies (1983).
Yes, I have seen Snatch. Adopting an indecipherable accent does not equal acting. IMHO.
Have you seen Interview with the Vampire?
(For a pretty boy who can actually act, try George Clooney. Or Depp.)
Agreed. Both those guys can act. Depp is incredible in his choices and his portrayals. “Cry Baby”, “Donnie Brasco”, “Fear and Loathing”, “Blow”…you name it…he’s knocked it outta the park almost every time!
However, I disagree with you on Pitt. “Snatch” was excellent and Pitt was fantastic is that role. Brilliant Listen to the commentary…Guy Ritchie was thrilled with Pitt.
In the Vampire movie…his character did seem somewhat wooden but in my opinion, that’s exactly how Rice wrote him to be. Sullen and introspective.
I dig him. (not in that way)
Jim Carrey maybe.
Watching Kalifornia should disabuse you of that notion.
Sean Penn
**Peter O’Toole **
Six nominations and the Academy ends up giving him a Lifetime oscar. It’s a crime!
The man gave us **Lawrence of Arabia ** **Arthur Chipping ** (Good Bye Mr. Chips), **King Henry the II TWICE. (Beckett and Lion in the Winter) and the delightfully funny **Allan Swan ** in the delightful romp, *My Favorite Year *
OK, I’ll cut Pitt some slack.
I re-watched Twelve Monkeys last night, and he can indeed out-act a 2x4. He’s still not Oscar-worthy, but he’s not a total stiff, either.
I will add Cate Blanchett to the coulda, shoulda, will win an Oscar list. (She should have won for Elizabeth.)
Sean Penn hasn’t won an Oscar? Damn. Well, he goes to the top of my list then.