As this Awards Season begins to take shape, there are dozens of films and performances vying for just a few slots at the major awards shows. Over the past 9 years, these 8 actors scored nominations at the Critics Choice, Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA Awards, but NOT the Oscars. Why? Here’s What Happened:
AMY ADAMS – “ARRIVAL” (2016)
Adams was one of the early frontrunners to win this category. A 6th Oscar nomination and possible first win were in sight. But while the sci-fi drama “Arrival” scored 8 Academy Award nominations, she was not one of them. Statistically, Isabelle Huppert (“Elle”) and Ruth Negga (“Loving”) scored the fewest nominations up to that point, with just the Globes and Critics Choice acknowledging them.
HUGH GRANT – “FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS” (2016)
The Golden Globe winner for “Four Weddings and a Funeral” could’ve earned his first Oscar nomination for what some called a career-defining performance in the opera singing dramedy. He was a Supporting Actor SAG and BAFTA nominee and earned Best Actor in a Comedy noms from the Globes and Critics Choice. But Michael Shannon (“Nocturnal Animals”), who only received a Critics Choice nom until Oscar nomination morning, was the surprise nominee who took Grant’s place.
JAKE GYLLENHAAL – “NIGHTCRAWLER” (2014)
Gyllenhaal’s stirring work as Lou Bloom was worthy of attention. But box office juggernaut “American Sniper” came into the Oscar voting period on full blast, with Bradley Cooper (who was at that time only up for the Actor in an Action Movie Critics Choice Award) scoring the nomination over Gyllenhaal.
DANIEL BRUHL – “RUSH” (2013)
Bruhl’s performance in Ron Howard’s racing drama drew rave reviews since its open that September. But once late-in-the-season favorite “The Wolf of Wall Street” was shown to Academy voters, Jonah Hill was the “out of left field” nominee that year instead of “sure bet” Bruhl.
TOM HANKS – “CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” (2013)
This is arguably the one that still has people talking all these years later. Hanks was easily a favorite to earn his first Oscar nom since 2000’s “Cast Away” for his moving performance as Captain Richard Phillips. Statistically, Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio and even category winner Matthew McConaughey could be the person who took over for Hanks’ place, since each of those three men didn’t earn a nom from one of the major awards groups throughout the season (Bale and DiCaprio – SAG, McConaughey – BAFTA). But because BAFTA didn’t get to see “Dallas Buyers Club” in time and DiCaprio won the Best Actor in a Comedy Critics Choice and Golden Globe Awards, we have to make it Christian Bale who earned the Oscar nom instead of Hanks.
EMMA THOMPSON – “SAVING MR. BANKS” (2013)
She gave my favorite film performance of that year and was looking like a sure thing come Oscar morning. But The Academy showed us they loved two things that year: Meryl Streep (when do they not?) and “American Hustle”. Streep, who didn’t get a BAFTA nom for “August: Osage County”, bounced back with an Oscar nom. And Amy Adams, not a SAG nominee, was one of “Hustle”’s 10 Oscar nominations.
MARION COTILLARD – “RUST AND BONE” (2012)
The “La Vie En Rose” Oscar winner was up for the Globe, Critics Choice, SAG and BAFTA Awards for this foreign-language drama. But young Quvenzhane Wallis captured The Academy’s attention. She had only been in the Critics Choice Best Actress category before becoming the youngest Best Actress nominee in Oscar history.
TILDA SWINTON – “WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN” (2011)
Swinton won an Academy Award for 2007’s “Michael Clayton”, but wasn’t a nominee for this drama. Instead, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” breakout star Rooney Mara, who was only up for the Best Actress in a Drama Globe at this point, was given the Oscar nom.