# Biggest Oscar robberies/snubs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 1, 2016, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590 "2016-03-01T02:06:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/21 "2016-03-01T12:39:13Z")
There were a lotof people who felt Bette Davis was snubbed when she wasn’t nominated for “Of Human Bondage” in 1934. The Academy even relaxed its rules and allowed write-in votes for two years. When she won the following year for “Dangerous”, many felt it was to make up for that omission. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/22 "2016-03-01T12:58:48Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Remember back when Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for\* My Cousin Vinny\* and people were convinced that Jack Palance had read the wrong name? Here were the other nominees: > > Judy Davis > Joan Plowright > Vanessa Redgrave > Miranda Richardson I always figured that was just a case of vote splitting. Tomei versus 4 classically trained British actresses. And Tomei was great in that role, I don’t care what anybody else says. The fact that Gary Oldman only has one nomination and no wins is mind boggling to me. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/23 "2016-03-01T13:12:06Z")
Kramer vs. Kramer won the Academy Award in 1980. Competing with Apocalypse Now and All That Jazz. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/24 "2016-03-01T13:45:12Z")
> [@mcgato](#): > > I always figured that was just a case of vote splitting. Tomei versus 4 classically trained British actresses. And Tomei was great in that role, I don’t care what anybody else says. > > The fact that Gary Oldman only has one nomination and no wins is mind boggling to me. I’ve always thought that Gary Oldman is so good that he just makes it look too easy. He inhabits a role so effortlessly that it seems like anyone could do it. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/25 "2016-03-01T14:42:24Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Remember back when Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for\* My Cousin Vinny\* and people were convinced that Jack Palance had read the wrong name? Here were the other nominees: > > Judy Davis > Joan Plowright > Vanessa Redgrave > Miranda Richardson As I’ve pointed out before, more people saw **My Cousin Vinnie** than the other four movies combined. You don’t vote for what you haven’t seen. It was a logical results. As for people, well, judging performance is so subjective that there’s really no such thing as a snub. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/26 "2016-03-01T14:58:08Z")
I’m not that big a fan over the term snub, especially when referred to who wins or doesn’t win awards. When I hear snub it sounds as if there was a deliberate choice in not choosing someone that had nothing to do with the quality of their work. For example, many consider (and I agree) that Paul Newman’s greatest work was as attorney Frank Galvin in _ **"The Verdict"** _. But he didn’t win the Oscar that year, Ben Kingsley excellent performance as the Mahatma in _ **"Gandhi"** _ won that year. Some times it all comes down to timing. Had his work been in the year before or after, he might have won. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/27 "2016-03-01T15:29:42Z")
Some might think Silvester Stallone got snubbed for portraying Rocky again, and he’s apparently really good. But I guess I’m more curious to see this Mark Rylance guy who won for Bridge of Spies. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/28 "2016-03-01T15:31:33Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > Some might think Silvester Stallone got snubbed for portraying Rocky again, and he’s apparently really good. But I guess I’m more curious to see this Mark Rylance guy who won for Bridge of Spies. Two words: [del]Bad Wolf[/del] _Wolf Hall_. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/29 "2016-03-01T16:13:50Z")
I know I’m completely on my own here, but Wall-E is one of the best and most beautiful love stories told in the last 20 years and, IMO, should have won Best Picture. More feasible snubs? It takes a lot for me to pay attention to a movie’s score, and I out and out LOVED Fury Road’s music. That should have been nominated. Sam Smith had no business winning the song award over Lady Gaga. Everything about that song is perfect for what it needs to be and Writing’s on the Wall is just a generic bond tune ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/30 "2016-03-01T16:49:59Z")
Marlon Brando was the only principal actor in “Streetcar Named Desire” who didn’t get an Academy Award. That was just wrong. (It went to Bogart for “African Queen.”) ---
**Author:** ![CGav8r](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@CGav8r](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CGav8r)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/31 "2016-03-01T17:00:46Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > [I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your Senior Drill Instructor.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j3_iPskjxk) > > Seriously, how is Ermey not even nominated for Best Supporting for that? Losing was no great sin, given it was [given to Sean Connery for _The Untouchables_](http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000003/1988?ref_=ttawd_ev_1), in a bit of a lifetime achievement award, but not even nominated?! > > Here’s his competition: > WINNER > The Untouchables: Sean Connery > NOMINEES > Broadcast News: Albert Brooks > Street Smart: Morgan Freeman > Moonstruck: Vincent Gardenia > Cry Freedom: Denzel Washington > > Street Smart? Street Smart?! I mean, I probably would have given it to Denzel over both Connery and Ermey, but seriously? You don’t even nominate one of the iconic performances of the 80s? Ermey’s performance was great, but it was one (very exciting) note, not much nuance. I think he did a better job in “Dead Man Walking”, TBH. My choice is Tommy Lee Jones in “The Fugitive”, winning over Ralph Fiennes’ subtle performance in “Schindler’s List” ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/32 "2016-03-01T17:04:14Z")
> [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](#): > > For example, many consider (and I agree) that Paul Newman’s greatest work was as attorney Frank Galvin in _ **“The Verdict”** _. But he didn’t win the Oscar that year, Ben Kingsley excellent performance as the Mahatma in _ **“Gandhi”** _ won that year. > > Some times it all comes down to timing. Had his work been in the year before or after, he might have won. Even though Kingsley was excellent (and got bonus points for playing the storied Gandhi in that historical epic, which the Academy loves), I **still** think Newman got robbed that year. His work in _The Verdict_ was transcendent, and in my opinion by far the best performance of the year. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/33 "2016-03-01T17:08:30Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > Some might think Silvester Stallone got snubbed for portraying Rocky again, and he’s apparently really good. But I guess I’m more curious to see this Mark Rylance guy who won for Bridge of Spies. I knew Rylance’s stage work by reputation, at least, but not much more about him before seeing _Bridge of Spies_. He is absolutely terrific in that role. I, like pretty much everyone else, assumed Stallone had that Oscar wrapped up, but I was very happy to see Rylance take it. (Speaking of Stallone, Oscars, and Tomei - anybody else remember _Oscar_? Probably not something anybody would consider snubbed for awards recognition …) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/34 "2016-03-01T17:28:32Z")
> [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](#): > > For example, many consider (and I agree) that Paul Newman’s greatest work was as attorney Frank Galvin in _ **“The Verdict”** _. But he didn’t win the Oscar that year, Ben Kingsley excellent performance as the Mahatma in _ **“Gandhi”** _ won that year. Beating out Dustin Hoffman in _ **“Tootsie”** _ that year, too. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/35 "2016-03-01T18:18:07Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > Two words: [del]Bad Wolf[/del] _Wolf Hall_. I’ve seen (a little bit of) Wolf Hall, and seen Bridge of Spies, and until this moment did not make the connection. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/36 "2016-03-01T18:42:57Z")
Jacob Tremblay, best actor, _Room_, 2016 Oscars. (should have been nominated, at least) ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/37 "2016-03-01T18:58:24Z")
How about next year? We can be very sure most, if not all, categories will have a minority actor/actress, even if there are 5 better performances. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/38 "2016-03-01T18:59:14Z")
Edward Woodward, Best Actor, _Breaker Morant_. Jeff Daniels, Best Actor, _Gettysburg_. Anthony LaPaglia, Best Supporting Actor, _Betsy’s Wedding_ (the best thing about the entire film). Bradley Cooper, Best Actor, _Limitless_. > [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > [I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your Senior Drill Instructor.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j3_iPskjxk) > > Seriously, how is Ermey not even nominated for Best Supporting for that?.. Sir, yes, sir! > [@Bill\_Door](#): > > I’ve always thought that Gary Oldman is so good that he just makes it look too easy. He inhabits a role so effortlessly that it seems like anyone could do it. There’s probably something to that. Very few actors out there who could convincingly play a corrupt American DEA agent, a Russian terrorist, a British spymaster and a Transylvanian bloodsucker. ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/39 "2016-03-01T19:07:23Z")
Harrison Ford only getting one nomination (_Witness_) 49 years. 1 nomination. 0 wins. Ignoring _Star Wars_ and _Indiana Jones_ (most consider both un-Oscar worthy)he still had some great roles and performances: \*Blade Runner Fugitive Regarding Henry 42 \* among others I’m sure I forgot. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2016, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590/40 "2016-03-01T19:40:34Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > Some might think Silvester Stallone got snubbed for portraying Rocky again, and he’s apparently really good. But I guess I’m more curious to see this Mark Rylance guy who won for Bridge of Spies. When I saw **Bridge of Spies** my first comment was that Rylance deserved an Oscar for his portrayal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-oscar-robberies-snubs/747590.md?page=3)