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Top 10 Underwhelming Best Actor Oscar Wins


the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and

the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has long honored the excellent

Sciences has long honored the excellent

Sciences has long honored the excellent performances of some very fine actors so

performances of some very fine actors so

performances of some very fine actors so we don’t really know what they were

we don’t really know what they were

we don’t really know what they were thinking with these choices I only know

thinking with these choices I only know

thinking with these choices I only know that I race against Messiah welcome to

that I race against Messiah welcome to

that I race against Messiah welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10

down our picks for the top 10

down our picks for the top 10 underwhelming oscar-winning actor

underwhelming oscar-winning actor

underwhelming oscar-winning actor performances for this list we’re looking

performances for this list we’re looking

performances for this list we’re looking at some of the least impressive

at some of the least impressive

at some of the least impressive performances from 1928 onwards that

performances from 1928 onwards that

performances from 1928 onwards that received the Academy Award for Best

received the Academy Award for Best

received the Academy Award for Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor what do

Actor or Best Supporting Actor what do

Actor or Best Supporting Actor what do you think about my candidate number 10

you think about my candidate number 10

you think about my candidate number 10 Denzel Washington training day playing

Denzel Washington training day playing

Denzel Washington training day playing the corrupt detective Alonzo Harris to

the corrupt detective Alonzo Harris to

the corrupt detective Alonzo Harris to Ethan Hawke’s naive officer Jake Hoyt

Ethan Hawke’s naive officer Jake Hoyt

Ethan Hawke’s naive officer Jake Hoyt Denzel Washington’s Harris takes Hoyt

Denzel Washington’s Harris takes Hoyt

Denzel Washington’s Harris takes Hoyt along on a day on the streets that he’ll

along on a day on the streets that he’ll

along on a day on the streets that he’ll never forget

never forget

never forget David raining day off toy while

David raining day off toy while

David raining day off toy while Washington undoubtedly embraces his

Washington undoubtedly embraces his

Washington undoubtedly embraces his bad-to-the-bone character in a way that

bad-to-the-bone character in a way that

bad-to-the-bone character in a way that makes us forget about his more amiable

makes us forget about his more amiable

makes us forget about his more amiable film characters his best actor winning

film characters his best actor winning

film characters his best actor winning performance is a little too over the top

performance is a little too over the top

performance is a little too over the top King Kong ain’t got on me playing the

King Kong ain’t got on me playing the

King Kong ain’t got on me playing the extreme characters so extravagantly that

extreme characters so extravagantly that

extreme characters so extravagantly that he launches him past believability and

he launches him past believability and

he launches him past believability and into fantasy he is certainly memorable

into fantasy he is certainly memorable

into fantasy he is certainly memorable but not for the right reasons want to

but not for the right reasons want to

but not for the right reasons want to get paid as opposed to Russell Crowe’s

get paid as opposed to Russell Crowe’s

get paid as opposed to Russell Crowe’s brilliant performance in a beautiful

brilliant performance in a beautiful

brilliant performance in a beautiful mind that same year piers have no choice

mind that same year piers have no choice

mind that same year piers have no choice number 9

number 9

number 9 Michael Caine The Cider House Rules

Michael Caine The Cider House Rules

Michael Caine The Cider House Rules you’ll have princess of Maine Kings

you’ll have princess of Maine Kings

you’ll have princess of Maine Kings although Michael Caine’s mild-mannered

although Michael Caine’s mild-mannered

although Michael Caine’s mild-mannered performance in this 1999 drama was

performance in this 1999 drama was

performance in this 1999 drama was respectable along with his mastery of an

respectable along with his mastery of an

respectable along with his mastery of an American accent we feel that the Oscar

American accent we feel that the Oscar

American accent we feel that the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor was deserved

for Best Supporting Actor was deserved

for Best Supporting Actor was deserved elsewhere

elsewhere

elsewhere doubtless you will let me know what

doubtless you will let me know what

doubtless you will let me know what immensely worthwhile or at least useful

immensely worthwhile or at least useful

immensely worthwhile or at least useful thing that it is you find to do Michael

thing that it is you find to do Michael

thing that it is you find to do Michael Clarke Duncan’s raw and unforgettable

Clarke Duncan’s raw and unforgettable

Clarke Duncan’s raw and unforgettable portrayal of John Coffey in The Green

portrayal of John Coffey in The Green

portrayal of John Coffey in The Green Mile that scene year up source what I am

Mile that scene year up source what I am

Mile that scene year up source what I am or the complex and gripping Tom Cruise

or the complex and gripping Tom Cruise

or the complex and gripping Tom Cruise performance in Magnolia have been called

performance in Magnolia have been called

performance in Magnolia have been called the best of their careers

the best of their careers

the best of their careers yeah you you guys old

yeah you you guys old

yeah you you guys old don’t go away you you got hook thank you

don’t go away you you got hook thank you

don’t go away you you got hook thank you how the Academy snubbed these two

how the Academy snubbed these two

how the Academy snubbed these two spellbinding performances for Cain’s

spellbinding performances for Cain’s

spellbinding performances for Cain’s unremarkable dr. Wilbur larch we’ll

unremarkable dr. Wilbur larch we’ll

unremarkable dr. Wilbur larch we’ll never know

never know

never know good night you princes of Maine you

good night you princes of Maine you

good night you princes of Maine you kings of New England number eight

kings of New England number eight

kings of New England number eight Roberto Benigni life is beautiful Don

Roberto Benigni life is beautiful Don

Roberto Benigni life is beautiful Don town Jewish mind channeling the

town Jewish mind channeling the

town Jewish mind channeling the slapstick comedy persona that made him a

slapstick comedy persona that made him a

slapstick comedy persona that made him a legend in Italy Roberto Benigni start

legend in Italy Roberto Benigni start

legend in Italy Roberto Benigni start here as Guido a loveable and

here as Guido a loveable and

here as Guido a loveable and entertaining clown who moves to the big

entertaining clown who moves to the big

entertaining clown who moves to the big city falls in love and later uses humor

city falls in love and later uses humor

city falls in love and later uses humor to combat the horrors of war like the

to combat the horrors of war like the

to combat the horrors of war like the general energy schools away Juno

general energy schools away Juno

general energy schools away Juno journalists welcome clear why we

journalists welcome clear why we

journalists welcome clear why we separated already fighting bell viaggio

separated already fighting bell viaggio

separated already fighting bell viaggio with a best actor winning performance

with a best actor winning performance

with a best actor winning performance that is completely one-dimensional in a

that is completely one-dimensional in a

that is completely one-dimensional in a film some found to be in poor taste

film some found to be in poor taste

film some found to be in poor taste bonini showcases his proficiency for

bonini showcases his proficiency for

bonini showcases his proficiency for comedy but can you really call it acting

comedy but can you really call it acting

comedy but can you really call it acting lucha daedalic le Capitan novella Don no

lucha daedalic le Capitan novella Don no

lucha daedalic le Capitan novella Don no celli modulo 2 t no II I’m dressed

celli modulo 2 t no II I’m dressed

celli modulo 2 t no II I’m dressed that’s my eye yeah yeah yo my daddy baby

that’s my eye yeah yeah yo my daddy baby

that’s my eye yeah yeah yo my daddy baby the fact that his enactment was

the fact that his enactment was

the fact that his enactment was considered finer than Ian McKellen’s for

considered finer than Ian McKellen’s for

considered finer than Ian McKellen’s for gods and monsters and Edward Norton’s

gods and monsters and Edward Norton’s

gods and monsters and Edward Norton’s for American History X is also totally

for American History X is also totally

for American History X is also totally bewildering if you come near Danny again

bewildering if you come near Danny again

bewildering if you come near Danny again I will feed you your heart camera number

I will feed you your heart camera number

I will feed you your heart camera number seven Jim Broadbent iris love is over

seven Jim Broadbent iris love is over

seven Jim Broadbent iris love is over although Jim Broadbent certainly

although Jim Broadbent certainly

although Jim Broadbent certainly delivered a worthy performance as the

delivered a worthy performance as the

delivered a worthy performance as the frustrated husband of author Iris

frustrated husband of author Iris

frustrated husband of author Iris Murdoch in the 2001 biopic that also

Murdoch in the 2001 biopic that also

Murdoch in the 2001 biopic that also starred Judi Dench and Kate Winslet you

starred Judi Dench and Kate Winslet you

starred Judi Dench and Kate Winslet you know many secrets and holidays his Best

know many secrets and holidays his Best

know many secrets and holidays his Best Supporting Actor winning performance was

Supporting Actor winning performance was

Supporting Actor winning performance was certainly no match for the incredible

certainly no match for the incredible

certainly no match for the incredible Ian McKellen who was once again robbed

Ian McKellen who was once again robbed

Ian McKellen who was once again robbed of Oscar glory

as the iconic Gandalf Macallan

as the iconic Gandalf Macallan powerfully brought this j.r.r tolkien

powerfully brought this j.r.r tolkien

powerfully brought this j.r.r tolkien character to life in a way that had all

character to life in a way that had all

character to life in a way that had all viewers and especially fans mesmerised

viewers and especially fans mesmerised

viewers and especially fans mesmerised parent you Fuj with a presence that made

parent you Fuj with a presence that made

parent you Fuj with a presence that made Broadbent’s look miniscule in comparison

Broadbent’s look miniscule in comparison

Broadbent’s look miniscule in comparison this is one decision they should

this is one decision they should

this is one decision they should probably regret did you have that ring

probably regret did you have that ring

probably regret did you have that ring quite long enough number 6 Jack Palance

quite long enough number 6 Jack Palance

quite long enough number 6 Jack Palance city slickers I crapped in your new well

city slickers I crapped in your new well

city slickers I crapped in your new well we surely love this veteran actor best

we surely love this veteran actor best

we surely love this veteran actor best known for his villainous personas on

known for his villainous personas on

known for his villainous personas on stage in television and in film classics

stage in television and in film classics

stage in television and in film classics like Shane this was definitely not the

like Shane this was definitely not the

like Shane this was definitely not the role that should have won him the golden

role that should have won him the golden

role that should have won him the golden statuette playing the tough and grizzled

statuette playing the tough and grizzled

statuette playing the tough and grizzled curly Washburn in one of his rare

curly Washburn in one of his rare

curly Washburn in one of his rare comedic roles Jack Palance does little

comedic roles Jack Palance does little

comedic roles Jack Palance does little else than crack one-liners and act tough

else than crack one-liners and act tough

else than crack one-liners and act tough in this western day an overhead compared

in this western day an overhead compared

in this western day an overhead compared that to Ben Kingsley and Harvey Keitel’s

that to Ben Kingsley and Harvey Keitel’s

that to Ben Kingsley and Harvey Keitel’s intense performances in Bugsy there’s a

intense performances in Bugsy there’s a

intense performances in Bugsy there’s a little matter we have to discuss and

little matter we have to discuss and

little matter we have to discuss and Tommy Lee Jones Laird character in JFK

Tommy Lee Jones Laird character in JFK

Tommy Lee Jones Laird character in JFK and it’s clear to see the Best

and it’s clear to see the Best

and it’s clear to see the Best Supporting Actor Award was more

Supporting Actor Award was more

Supporting Actor Award was more sentimental than anything that’s what

sentimental than anything that’s what

sentimental than anything that’s what you gotta figure out number 5 Charlton

you gotta figure out number 5 Charlton

you gotta figure out number 5 Charlton Heston Ben Hur yes this is the day while

Heston Ben Hur yes this is the day while

Heston Ben Hur yes this is the day while Charlton Heston’s memory lives on today

Charlton Heston’s memory lives on today

Charlton Heston’s memory lives on today as one of the most dramatic and

as one of the most dramatic and

as one of the most dramatic and larger-than-life stars in Hollywood

larger-than-life stars in Hollywood

larger-than-life stars in Hollywood history few can vouch for his acting

history few can vouch for his acting

history few can vouch for his acting ability especially in this regal

ability especially in this regal

ability especially in this regal historical epic may God grant me

historical epic may God grant me

historical epic may God grant me vengeance I will pray that you will live

vengeance I will pray that you will live

vengeance I will pray that you will live till I return winning Best Actor for his

till I return winning Best Actor for his

till I return winning Best Actor for his portrayal of Jewish Prince Judah ben-hur

portrayal of Jewish Prince Judah ben-hur

portrayal of Jewish Prince Judah ben-hur the film is grand in every sense

the film is grand in every sense

the film is grand in every sense along with themes of faith betrayal

along with themes of faith betrayal

along with themes of faith betrayal revenge and forgiveness if I cannot

revenge and forgiveness if I cannot

revenge and forgiveness if I cannot persuade them that does not mean I would

persuade them that does not mean I would

persuade them that does not mean I would help you murder them however as usual

help you murder them however as usual

help you murder them however as usual for Heston

for Heston

for Heston his performance is a little too

his performance is a little too

his performance is a little too overbearing and over-the-top you may

overbearing and over-the-top you may

overbearing and over-the-top you may conquer the land may slaughter the

conquer the land may slaughter the

conquer the land may slaughter the people but that is not the end we will

people but that is not the end we will

people but that is not the end we will rise again while the nominated

rise again while the nominated

rise again while the nominated performance of Jack Lemmon and some like

performance of Jack Lemmon and some like

performance of Jack Lemmon and some like it hot can be considered much more

it hot can be considered much more

it hot can be considered much more deserved and memorable Ivan gay

deserved and memorable Ivan gay

deserved and memorable Ivan gay congratulations who’s the lucky girl I

number four Art Carney Harry and Tonto

number four Art Carney Harry and Tonto with his most famous other appearance

with his most famous other appearance

with his most famous other appearance being in the 1950 sitcom The

being in the 1950 sitcom The

being in the 1950 sitcom The Honeymooners Art Carney sentimental

Honeymooners Art Carney sentimental

Honeymooners Art Carney sentimental performance as an elderly man traveling

performance as an elderly man traveling

performance as an elderly man traveling cross-country with his cat certainly

cross-country with his cat certainly

cross-country with his cat certainly tugged on a few heartstrings but didn’t

tugged on a few heartstrings but didn’t

tugged on a few heartstrings but didn’t break any acting ground

break any acting ground

break any acting ground that’s why his win as Harry Coombs

that’s why his win as Harry Coombs

that’s why his win as Harry Coombs shocked moviegoers for generations with

shocked moviegoers for generations with

shocked moviegoers for generations with his unlikely win Carney had crushed

his unlikely win Carney had crushed

his unlikely win Carney had crushed tightens Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson

tightens Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson

tightens Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson who both had infinitely worthier

who both had infinitely worthier

who both had infinitely worthier performances in film classics like The

performances in film classics like The

performances in film classics like The Godfather Part 2 and Chinatown

Godfather Part 2 and Chinatown

Godfather Part 2 and Chinatown I got damn near lost my nose and I liked

I got damn near lost my nose and I liked

I got damn near lost my nose and I liked it

it

it I like breathing through it how and why

I like breathing through it how and why

I like breathing through it how and why we’ll never know okay catch Chinatown

number three Cliff Robertson Charlie and

number three Cliff Robertson Charlie and what are you go on hare with his

what are you go on hare with his

what are you go on hare with his portrayal of an intellectually disabled

portrayal of an intellectually disabled

portrayal of an intellectually disabled man Cliff Robertson broke all kinds of

man Cliff Robertson broke all kinds of

man Cliff Robertson broke all kinds of new ground unfortunately not for the

new ground unfortunately not for the

new ground unfortunately not for the right reasons

right reasons

right reasons oh yeah well I forgot when in the

oh yeah well I forgot when in the

oh yeah well I forgot when in the library and I never seen so many books

library and I never seen so many books

library and I never seen so many books in my life while a similar role may have

in my life while a similar role may have

in my life while a similar role may have been performed with more sensitivity

been performed with more sensitivity

been performed with more sensitivity today

today

today Robertson’s portrayal of the disabled

Robertson’s portrayal of the disabled

Robertson’s portrayal of the disabled bakery worker involved not much more

bakery worker involved not much more

bakery worker involved not much more than talking slowly and alternating

than talking slowly and alternating

than talking slowly and alternating between extreme emotional states I beat

between extreme emotional states I beat

between extreme emotional states I beat you in addition to not bringing much new

you in addition to not bringing much new

you in addition to not bringing much new to the table many found the performance

to the table many found the performance

to the table many found the performance offensive and boring my name is Charlie

offensive and boring my name is Charlie

offensive and boring my name is Charlie Gordon and I live in a room and I got no

Gordon and I live in a room and I got no

Gordon and I live in a room and I got no sister and no dog and I am stupid on top

sister and no dog and I am stupid on top

sister and no dog and I am stupid on top of this Robertson’s best actor win that

of this Robertson’s best actor win that

of this Robertson’s best actor win that year killed Peter O’Toole’s chance of

year killed Peter O’Toole’s chance of

year killed Peter O’Toole’s chance of winning an Oscar for 1968 the lion in

winning an Oscar for 1968 the lion in

winning an Oscar for 1968 the lion in winter Oh God but I do love being King

winter Oh God but I do love being King

winter Oh God but I do love being King number two John Wayne True Grit

while most definitely a major Hollywood

while most definitely a major Hollywood icon and a film legend John Wayne’s

icon and a film legend John Wayne’s

icon and a film legend John Wayne’s ability to portray complex motives

ability to portray complex motives

ability to portray complex motives themes emotions and characters could be

themes emotions and characters could be

themes emotions and characters could be extremely limited I can’t go up against

extremely limited I can’t go up against

extremely limited I can’t go up against Ned peppers gang and try and take care

Ned peppers gang and try and take care

Ned peppers gang and try and take care of a baby all at the same time playing

of a baby all at the same time playing

of a baby all at the same time playing stiff rough and tough characters was his

stiff rough and tough characters was his

stiff rough and tough characters was his job and he kept the film industry alive

job and he kept the film industry alive

job and he kept the film industry alive with this persona whether he played a

with this persona whether he played a

with this persona whether he played a cop a soldier or a cowboy Chuck your

cop a soldier or a cowboy Chuck your

cop a soldier or a cowboy Chuck your guns out and following with your hands I

guns out and following with your hands I

guns out and following with your hands I nobody’ll get hurt it’s us stunned film

nobody’ll get hurt it’s us stunned film

nobody’ll get hurt it’s us stunned film lovers when Wayne won for Best Actor for

lovers when Wayne won for Best Actor for

lovers when Wayne won for Best Actor for his drunken Marshall over Richard Burton

his drunken Marshall over Richard Burton

his drunken Marshall over Richard Burton Peter O’Toole Dustin Hoffman and Jon

Peter O’Toole Dustin Hoffman and Jon

Peter O’Toole Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight in peerless performances what do

Voight in peerless performances what do

Voight in peerless performances what do you say what do you say about that it’s

you say what do you say about that it’s

you say what do you say about that it’s clear that the Academy felt they owed

clear that the Academy felt they owed

clear that the Academy felt they owed the icon a reward no other explanation

the icon a reward no other explanation

the icon a reward no other explanation makes sense well come see a fat old man

makes sense well come see a fat old man

makes sense well come see a fat old man sometime before we unveil our top pick

sometime before we unveil our top pick

sometime before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable or in this case

here are a few honorable or in this case

here are a few honorable or in this case dishonorable mentions my career is over

dishonorable mentions my career is over

dishonorable mentions my career is over I am making a horse’s assets of myself

I am making a horse’s assets of myself

I am making a horse’s assets of myself and never leaving us alone never have I

and never leaving us alone never have I

and never leaving us alone never have I ever known a root of piss

ever known a root of piss

ever known a root of piss oh well it’s what often happens to

oh well it’s what often happens to

oh well it’s what often happens to heroes Oh Thank You Henry number one Al

heroes Oh Thank You Henry number one Al

heroes Oh Thank You Henry number one Al Pacino scent of a woman because it made

Pacino scent of a woman because it made

Pacino scent of a woman because it made me feel important don’t get us wrong we

me feel important don’t get us wrong we

me feel important don’t get us wrong we love Al Pacino The Godfather Part two

love Al Pacino The Godfather Part two

love Al Pacino The Godfather Part two Serpico Dog Day Afternoon his

Serpico Dog Day Afternoon his

Serpico Dog Day Afternoon his performances in these classics and many

performances in these classics and many

performances in these classics and many more still live on but instead of

more still live on but instead of

more still live on but instead of winning for these or any of his other

winning for these or any of his other

winning for these or any of his other Oscar nominated roles he won for Best

Oscar nominated roles he won for Best

Oscar nominated roles he won for Best Actor as the blind and irritable

Actor as the blind and irritable

Actor as the blind and irritable Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in a

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in a

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in a performance that feels more like a

performance that feels more like a

performance that feels more like a gimmick than 1992’s best acting the 80s

gimmick than 1992’s best acting the 80s

gimmick than 1992’s best acting the 80s are over are you trying to tell me these

are over are you trying to tell me these

are over are you trying to tell me these things are just walking out of the store

things are just walking out of the store

things are just walking out of the store compared to his other work this one is

compared to his other work this one is

compared to his other work this one is definitely hammy and forgettable

definitely hammy and forgettable

definitely hammy and forgettable especially when compared to Denzel

especially when compared to Denzel

especially when compared to Denzel Washington’s brilliant Malcolm X we

Washington’s brilliant Malcolm X we

Washington’s brilliant Malcolm X we didn’t land on Plymouth

didn’t land on Plymouth

didn’t land on Plymouth Plymouth Rock landed on us right on top

Plymouth Rock landed on us right on top

Plymouth Rock landed on us right on top of us all we have to say about this one

of us all we have to say about this one

of us all we have to say about this one is a half-hearted hooah hooah

is a half-hearted hooah hooah

is a half-hearted hooah hooah do you agree with our list on fan unfair

do you agree with our list on fan unfair

do you agree with our list on fan unfair which oscar-winning actors did you think

which oscar-winning actors did you think

which oscar-winning actors did you think failed to deliver the goods better show

failed to deliver the goods better show

failed to deliver the goods better show me some respect for more entertaining

me some respect for more entertaining

me some respect for more entertaining top 10s published every day be sure to

top 10s published every day be sure to

top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com

”

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