Winning any award for one’s achievements is a major accomplishment –– but receiving an Academy Awards is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon an actor. This awards are coveted and not easy to win, thus making their reception a huge milestone in the career of actors, producers, directors and anyone in the film industry. While some actors have worked to even be nominated for an Oscar, there are some who have actually won more than one in their lifetimes. These actors have some of the most accomplished careers, and their work and accolades speak for themselves. Read on to learn more about 16 male actors with the most earned academy awards and nominations in history.
Anthony Quinn: 2 Wins and 4 Nominations
Mexican American Anthony Quinn was a very successful and celebrated actor. He was also an accomplished painter, writer and film director. He was nominated four times, including two he did not win for Best Actor in Wild is the Wind (1957) and Zorba the Greek (1964). He actually won Best Supporting Actor twice for Viva Zapata! (1952) and Lust for Life (1956).
Gary Cooper: 2 Wins and 5 Nominations
Gary Cooper was a popular actor who was known for his authentic style of acting, with a career spanning from the 1920’s to 1960’s. He was nominated for Best Actor a total of five times, and won a total of two Oscars. He won for his roles in Sergeant York (1941) and High Noon (1936).
Other actors with same ranking: Gene Hackman, Frederic March, Sean Penn.
Tom Hanks: 2 Wins and 6 Nominations
Tom Hanks is one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, having starred in some of the most memorable and classic films in the last several decades. He won two Oscars in a row for his role in Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994). He received three more nominations for his roles in Saving Private Ryan (1998), Cast Away (2000), and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019).
Other actors with same ranking: Michael Caine.
Dustin Hoffman: 2 Wins and 7 Nominations
Dustin Hoffman has won 2 Oscars, but has been nominated 7 times for his prolific career in film. His wins include Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1998).
Other actors with same ranking: Robert De Niro.
Denzel Washington: 2 Wins and 8 Nominations
Household name and celebrated actor Denzel Washington appears as the only African American male on this list with two wins and 8 total nominations. He won Oscars for his amazing performances in Glory (1989) and Training Day (2001).
Other actors with same ranking: Jack Lemmon, Marlon Brando.
Spencer Tracy: 2 Wins and 9 Nominations
Actor Spencer Tracy has a total of 9 nominations, with two wins under his belt. He earned Oscars for his roles in Captain Courageous (1937) and Boys Town (1938). He ranks as the second most nominated actor for the Academy Awards.
Walter Brennan: 3 Wins and 4 Nominations
Walter Brennan’s lineup is impressive because he won 75 percent of the Oscars he was nominated for. His wins include Come and Get It (1936), Kentucky (1938), and The Westerner (1940).
Daniel Day-Lewis: 3 Wins and 6 Nominations
Daniel Day-Lewis has been nominated 6 times and won half of those nominations for his roles in My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012).
Jack Nicholson: 3 Wins and 12 Nominations
Jack Nicholson is one of only a few to win 3 Oscars, but ranks as the most nominated actor in history.
