# Why Brad Pitt and Leo Di Caprio never win an Oscar **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2014, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688 "2014-03-14T12:45:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/21 "2014-03-14T14:47:11Z")
He’s the sole owner of the company that produced the film. Dismiss it if you like, but that doesn’t diminish his accomplishment. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/22 "2014-03-14T14:50:37Z")
I wouldn’t dismiss it, however, his fame is derivative from him being primarily an actor, and in that field, he doesn’t seem to be able to obtain one. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/23 "2014-03-14T15:03:57Z")
Brad Pitt and Leonardo diCaprio are primarily movie stars, not actors. Like Tom Cruise (Magnolia), they can do some more interesting roles but they are usually themselves and not the characters. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/24 "2014-03-14T15:16:15Z")
yep, workmanlike pretty-boy actors. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/25 "2014-03-14T15:23:30Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > All I know is that I hope to jesus someone does a biopic of Leonardo DiCaprio and the actor playing him wins an oscar. That is all I want out of life. I heard this joke on Reddit the other day too! ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/26 "2014-03-14T15:26:44Z")
Brad Pitt has always struck me as a movie star rather than a great actor. But I disagree completely about Leo. I thought he gave great, compelling performances in _Catch Me If You Can_, _The Aviator_, _J. Edgar_ and _The Great Gatsby_. I remember thinking that he had a good shot at the Oscar for _J. Edgar_, and being very surprised when he wasn’t nominated. He has four nominations, and I think that when the right role in the right movie comes along, he could definitely win. OTOH, Brad has three acting nominations, and for the right role in the right picture, he could win as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/27 "2014-03-14T15:34:29Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > A producing Oscar doesn’t count for someone who is an actor the other 364 days a year. Sure it does. George Clooney got one too. Ben Affleck has two Oscars. As far as Leo’s pretty face goes…are you all looking through rose-tinted glasses of time? He’s grown up, and it ain’t so pretty anymore. ---
**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 14, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/28 "2014-03-14T15:37:22Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > All I know is that I hope to jesus someone does a biopic of Leonardo DiCaprio and the actor playing him wins an oscar. That is all I want out of life. I remember hearing that Brad Pitt wanted to do a _Chad Shmitt_ movie, about a skilled character actor who can’t get quality work because he looks like Brad Pitt. And, honestly, the only reason his Oscar-nominated role in _12 Monkeys_ didn’t win is that he was up against Kevin Spacey in _The Usual Suspects_ for supporting actor. (And, as indicated, Pitt actually managed to win the Golden Globe over Spacey for that one.) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/29 "2014-03-14T15:39:23Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > A producing Oscar doesn’t count for someone who is an actor the other 364 days a year. Looks just as pretty on the mantle, though. And, “I never won for B. Actor, though here is my B. Picture statuette” is not a bad consolation prize. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/30 "2014-03-14T16:41:39Z")
Brad Pitt was really really good in that Benjamin Button movie, I think he’ll get an statue for acting (lead or supporting) at some point. Leo will get one too someday. He carried Wolf of Wall Street and nailed the “voice” of Jordan whatshisname in his narration. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/31 "2014-03-14T17:03:41Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Brad Pitt has always struck me as a movie star rather than a great actor. But I disagree completely about Leo. I thought he gave great, compelling performances in _Catch Me If You Can_, _The Aviator_, _J. Edgar_ and _The Great Gatsby_. I remember thinking that he had a good shot at the Oscar for _J. Edgar_, and being very surprised when he wasn’t nominated. He has four nominations, and I think that when the right role in the right movie comes along, he could definitely win. > > OTOH, Brad has three acting nominations, and for the right role in the right picture, he could win as well. Let’s not forget The Departed. Leo nailed that. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/32 "2014-03-14T17:19:40Z")
> [@Ephemera](#): > > He’s the sole owner of the company that produced the film. Dismiss it if you like, but that doesn’t diminish his accomplishment. > [@JohnT](#): > > And, “I never won for B. Actor, though here is my B. Picture statuette” is not a bad consolation prize. 😉 Meh. I’m sure he’s glad it won, but how much do you think he personally had to do with the production? After filming his scenes, do you think he was sitting around helping the director actually make the movie? Or did he go home to his family? ---
**Author:** ![MilTan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@MilTan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MilTan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/33 "2014-03-14T17:59:04Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Sure it does. George Clooney got one too. Clooney has an acting Oscar, besides (_Syriana_). ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/34 "2014-03-14T18:09:27Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Meh. I’m sure he’s glad it won, but how much do you think he personally had to do with the production? After filming his scenes, do you think he was sitting around helping the director actually make the movie? Or did he go home to his family? That’s a damn good question. I’m not even sure how the statuette thing works. Wiki says Brad Pitt produced The Departed also. But it’s not listed under his list of Oscar nominations/wins. I think it’s kind of funny that Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, George Clooney and Brad Pitt have 6 Oscars among them. And 18-19 nominations. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/35 "2014-03-14T18:24:09Z")
Brad Pitt’s best role was Floyd in True Romance. Nothing he’s ever done since then even seems like acting. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/36 "2014-03-14T18:40:28Z")
Like the turning of the Earth, the old “This actor can’t act, he’s just good looking playing him/herself” thread comes along regularly here at the Dope. Of course, this kind of thinking is why Cary Grant, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas, Myrna Loy, Gene Kelly, Judy Garland and quite a few others never won Oscars–because they were “stars”, “personalities”, but not “thespians”. In other words, nonsense. Time has proven this thinking wrong about them, as it will for many of those listed in this thread, too. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/37 "2014-03-14T18:45:42Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > That’s a damn good question. I’m not even sure how the statuette thing works. Wiki says Brad Pitt produced The Departed also. But it’s not listed under his list of Oscar nominations/wins. > > I think it’s kind of funny that Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, George Clooney and Brad Pitt have 6 Oscars among them. And 18-19 nominations. Only a certain number of producers for a film (2 max, I think?) are allowed to be considered for the Oscar. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/38 "2014-03-14T18:53:56Z")
Leo was also fantastic in _The Basketball Diaries_. I think people mostly think of _Titanic_, and then just dismiss him on that. Let’s face it: that was a bland role to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/39 "2014-03-14T19:02:57Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > I’ve always thought Pitt lacked the charisma to pull off leading roles, but he’s pretty good at smaller, supporting roles. I can still see him winning an Oscar someday in a supporting actor category. I forget where I’m stealing this observation from, but someone once said that, if Brad Pitt weren’t so handsome, he’d probably be known as a superb character actor. But because he’s so good looking, he’s offered (and he takes) a lot of leading man roles that just aren’t very interesting. I think he’s been great in smaller roles and in indie movies. He was hilarious in his small roles in _ **True Romance and Snatch. He was chilling as a killer in Kalifornia** _. But he makes too many mediocre mainstream movies. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688/40 "2014-03-14T19:07:13Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Leo was also fantastic in _The Basketball Diaries_. I think people mostly think of _Titanic_, and then just dismiss him on that. Let’s face it: that was a bland role to begin with. Yeah, James Cameron isn’t really known for his meaty roles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-brad-pitt-and-leo-di-caprio-never-win-an-oscar/683688.md?page=3)