# Who is on the "Deserves An Oscar" list? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434 "2009-08-05T16:55:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/1 "2009-08-05T16:55:26Z")
Based on a thread about Boogie Nights, the discussion turned to how many Oscar Nominations that cast has received. I commented that the film is full of people on my “Deserves An Oscar” list. I figured, it might deserve a thread (It’s been done before, obviously, but as new films come out, the discussion changes). Here’s my list in order of worth. Laura Linney- She’s incredible, yet she’s never had her moment. Sadly, she’s getting to an age where actresses don’t get those roles. I hope she lands one soon. Julianne Moore- Same as Linney, but only slightly less deserving. I think Boogie Nights was when she should have won. Leo Dicaprio- I don’t like the guy’s public persona, but I have to admit, he picks great roles. I can’t think of any film where he got screwed over, but he could have won for any of his nominations and been worthy. Matt Damon- Probably my favorite actor right now, but he drops a little by mixing in fun, action films with his serious work. Even then, his action is smart cinema. Brad Pitt- Pitt, probably one of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood, doesn’t play it safe by picking popcorn roles. For every Troy, he throws in one or two eclectic roles. He seems kind of like a douche in the media, but the guy has talent and star power. Don Cheadle- The guy can do anything. Was excellent in Hotel Rwanda. I am nearly certain this guy will land an Oscar someday. Annette Benning- She will likely never win one as every time she has a truly deserving performance, Hillary Swank comes along and has an even better performance. She must REALLY hate her! Johnny Depp- Nominated for a movie based on a them park ride? Oh, yeah. He’s on the list! Paul Giamatti- Got hosed by not at least getting a nod on Sideways. He’s the kind of guy that will land one eventually. Robert Downey Jr- Comes back after serving time. Gets his second nod for performing in a Ben Stiller comedy. Hell, even his superhero flick was smart. That’s my top ten. I could have included John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, or a ton of others, but I’m hoping you guys will add some to the list. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/2 "2009-08-05T17:10:26Z")
Gary Oldman, absolutely #1 on my list. Arguably the most talented actor alive, an absolute chameleon; he puts most of the OP’s list to shame. Has never been nominated. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/3 "2009-08-05T17:47:49Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > Matt Damon- Probably my favorite actor right now, but he drops a little by mixing in fun, action films with his serious work. Even then, his action is smart cinema. Nitpick: He has an Oscar, just not one for acting. Can’t argue too much with your list, except for Pitt. He’s been fine in a few things, but his body of work certainly doesn’t represent a standard of quality that suggests he’s somehow “due”: especially in light of other better Oscar-less actors out there: Jeff Bridges, Ed Harris, Albert Finney, Edward Norton, Max von Sydow, John Malkovich, Harvey Keitel, David Strathairn (to name just a few not already mentioned). ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/4 "2009-08-05T17:50:43Z")
Diane Lane Christopher Walken Robert Downey Jr. Joan Allen Patricia Clarkson It probably is too late for Peter O’Toole and Clint Eastwood. ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/5 "2009-08-05T17:56:02Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Diane Lane > Christopher Walken > Robert Downey Jr. > Joan Allen > Patricia Clarkson Christopher Walken has an Oscar: Best Supporting Actor for ‘The Deer Hunter’ (1978) ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/6 "2009-08-05T17:59:52Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Christopher Walken He won Supporting Actor for _The Deer Hunter_. Allen & Clarkson are terrific additions, to which I’ll add Sigourney Weaver, Glenn Close, Alfre Woodard, Judy Davis, Catherine Keener, and Jane Alexander. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/7 "2009-08-05T18:15:21Z")
Sorry, I forgot about Walken. And I just noticed that the OP mentioned Downey. Toni Collette may bag one someday. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/8 "2009-08-06T00:59:59Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Nitpick: He has an Oscar, just not one for acting. A fair nitpick. Of course, I do mean acting. > [@Sigmagirl](#): > > It probably is too late for Peter O’Toole and Clint Eastwood. But if I am going down, I’m taking Sigmagirl with me! Eastwood has four Oscars! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/9 "2009-08-06T01:03:51Z")
And O’Toole does, too–just not a competitive one. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/10 "2009-08-06T03:00:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Gary Oldman, absolutely #1 on my list. Arguably the most talented actor alive, an absolute chameleon; he puts most of the OP’s list to shame. > > Has never been nominated. I’m in complete agreement. Oldman should be a multiple winner. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/11 "2009-08-06T03:39:12Z")
I heartily agree with Downey Jr. and Johnny Depp. And, to be perfectly honest, I think Robert Downey got robbed last year. I know giving Heath Ledger the Oscar was a remarkable gesture and that he did, indeed, give a remarkable performance, but I strongly feel that Downey deserved it more. I’m sure I’ll get flamed for that, but oh well. (I also think Wall-E got hosed by not receiving a nomination for best picture.) I think Will Smith will get one eventually. Maybe Harrison Ford, if the right role presents itself. I was thrilled to see Kate Winslet win last year. She also lost to Hilary Swank for Million Dollar Baby, so it’s hard to be miffed about that one. Hopefully Laura Linney will nab one, Natalie Portman and definitely Helen Mirren. Now that Tilda Swinton’s got one, maybe she’ll do some more mainstream stuff. Rowr. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/12 "2009-08-06T03:57:22Z")
Leo _doesn’t_ have one? Wow… I came in here to say Ed Harris, but I think Gary Oldman might trump him now that he was mentioned… ---
**Author:** ![judikium](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@judikium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/judikium)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/13 "2009-08-06T04:00:15Z")
> [@Hung\_Mung](#): > > Hopefully Laura Linney will nab one, Natalie Portman and definitely Helen Mirren. Helen Mirren won for _The Queen_. Ralph Fiennes is brilliant but never has done quite enough, it seems. Anne Hathaway seems to be on the right path within five years or so - with the right role (I’ve heard rumors of a Judy Garland biopic - that could be it). And Greg Kinnear definitely comes to mind- I watched _As Good As It Gets_ recently and was amazed by his performance. Surprised he didn’t win for that - I haven’t seen Robin Williams in _Good Will Hunting_ (who beat him), but sheesh. I thought Kinnear was just incredible. ---
**Author:** ![Steampunk\_Willie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Steampunk\_Willie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steampunk_Willie)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/14 "2009-08-06T04:27:47Z")
Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman are the two actresses of my generation I feel deserve one or at least someday will. Maggie Gyllenhaal given the right role could be a possibility in my book. Was Edward Norton ever even nominated? Fight Club, American History X, and even Death to Smoochy he put a great performance in. I want someone to give Sigourney Weaver a role that gets her noticed again and nominated, like what ‘Requiem for a Dream’ did for Ellen Burstyn, something to remind people she can truly act and is a star. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/15 "2009-08-06T04:53:50Z")
> [@Steampunk\_Willie](#): > > Was Edward Norton ever even nominated? Fight Club, American History X, and even Death to Smoochy he put a great performance in. Nominated first time out of the gate for [Primal Fear](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001570/bio); also for AHX. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/16 "2009-08-06T04:56:06Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Gary Oldman, absolutely #1 on my list. Arguably the most talented actor alive, an absolute chameleon; he puts most of the OP’s list to shame. > > Has never been nominated. That’s a shame. He made a great Beethoven for one thing…I can still see him in that scene where he can’t hear the musicians and is making a mess of trying to direct them. I love that movie.. ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/17 "2009-08-06T08:36:43Z")
> [@Steampunk\_Willie](#): > > I want someone to give Sigourney Weaver a role that gets her noticed again and nominated, like what ‘Requiem for a Dream’ did for Ellen Burstyn, something to remind people she can truly act and is a star. She was good in Vantage Point. I’d like to see her get noticed again, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/18 "2009-08-06T14:44:36Z")
> [@judikium](#): > > Helen Mirren won for _The Queen_. Oopsie. Good for her! ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/19 "2009-08-06T19:07:18Z")
Miranda Richardson. ---
**Author:** ![Steampunk\_Willie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@Steampunk\_Willie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steampunk_Willie)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-on-the-deserves-an-oscar-list/505434/20 "2009-08-12T04:53:21Z")
> [@cactus\_waltz](#): > > She was good in Vantage Point. I’d like to see her get noticed again, as well. She was the main reason I bought and enjoyed _The TV Set_. Her role in Baby Mama was short but garned some of the bigger laughs for me. I have another movie with her in it… _Imaginary Heroes_? I bought it when a video store went out of business and haven’t got around to watching it. The purchase was purely because of her being in the cast.