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Oscars’ Biggest Snubs: Barbra Streisand, Audrey Hepburn and More Who Weren’t Recognized by the Academy Awards

Entertainment

Feb 27, 2025 1:08 pm·

By LOUISE A. BARILE

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These legendary performers didn’t always get the respect they deserved.

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Audrey Hepburn: ‘My Fair Lady’

The 1964 musical was nominated for 12 Oscars — but none for Audrey Hepburn! She didn’t do her own singing, but her Eliza makes the transition from Cockney girl to lady “flawlessly and with heedless confidence,” said film critic Roger Ebert. Unfortunately, Audrey couldn’t charm those who felt Broadway’s original Eliza, Julie Andrews, should have starred in the film instead.

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Lauren Bacall: ‘The Mirror Has Two Faces’

“No matter how you slice it, this was a ball for winners,” recalled Lauren Bacall about losing to Juliette Binoche in the more popular 1996 film The English Patient. “It’s not a good thing to be a shoo-in.”

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Denzel Washington: ‘Malcolm X’

Malcolm X director Spike Lee feels that Denzel Washington’s loss to Al Pacino in 1992’s Scent of a Woman was about rewarding Al for his overlooked past work — at Denzel’s expense. “They jerked Al around,” says Spike. “So, they said, ‘All right, Scent of a Woman, boom.’”

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Charlie Chaplin: ‘City Lights’

Talkies were all the rage, so this silent 1931 film was overlooked. But who needs words? The Little Tramp Chalie Chaplin’s encounter with a blind girl whose sight is later restored remains one of film’s most heartfelt — and Oscar worthy — close-ups.

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Glenn Close: ‘Fatal Attraction’

“You’re there, you’re five people honored for the work that you’ve done by your peers. What’s better than that?” asks Glenn Close, who has never won an Oscar despite eight nominations including for her iconic role in this 1987 thriller. The Best Actress Oscar instead went to Cher for Moonstruck.

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Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte Prince Of Tides Oscars Biggest Snubs

Barbra Streisand: ‘The Prince of Tides’

This 1991 drama was the second time the Academy overlooked Barbra Streisand’s skill as a director. “Not being nominated [again] hurt even more,” she said.

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Cary Grant: ‘The Philadelphia Story’

Cary Grant was the only lead in this 1940 romantic comedy who didn’t receive an Oscar nomination! “He was a dream, as all works of art are,” his costar Katharine Hepburn gushed. “You can’t hope for something more beautiful and entertaining and nice than Cary Grant.”

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Pam Grier: ‘Jackie Brown’

Titanic ruled the Oscars in 1998, leaving Pam Grier’s explosive portrayal of a flight attendant with a dangerous side job at sea. “I thought Pam [was] perfect for the role,” said director Quentin Tarantino of her career-best performance. “She looks like she can handle anything.”

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Marilyn Monroe: ‘Some Like It Hot’

As singer Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, Marilyn Monroe is “a comedienne with sex appeal and timing that just can’t be beat,” gushed Variety in 1959. However, months of bad press about the actress’ tardiness and ailments on the set likely turned Oscar voters against her.

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Gene Kelly: ‘Singin’ in the Rain’

Gene Kelly, the beloved musical’s director, choreographer, and star received no Oscar love! “It came out the year after An American in Paris won the Oscar for best picture,” explains NPR film critic Bob Mondello, who says the academy were reluctant to reward Gene twice in a row

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