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The artistry of supporting actors is often overlooked, hidden in the intricate maze of film narratives. Their exceptional work often goes unnoticed as the spotlight is typically on the protagonist or hero. Despite the annual recognition of one actor with the Best Supporting Actor award, numerous outstanding performances are left unrewarded. This results in a collection of performances that truly deserved Academy Awards but were unfortunately overlooked. Let’s explore some of the most noteworthy supporting performances that didn’t secure an Oscar.
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The 12 Best Supporting Actor Performances That Didn’t Win an Academy Award
Phillipe Noiret — Cinema Paradiso (1988)
In Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso, a poignant tribute to the world of cinema, the film serves as a nostalgic portrayal of Tornatore’s childhood in Sicily. The narrative unfolds as a heartfelt recounting of a lifelong love for movies, focusing on a young boy and his profound connection with both film and the local projectionist, portrayed remarkably by Phillipe Noiret.
Noiret’s portrayal of the aging projectionist, Alfredo, is the soulful essence that defines the film. Despite Cinema Paradiso rightfully earning the title of Best Foreign Language Film, it’s arguable that Noiret deserved recognition with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His performance was truly unforgettable, adding depth and emotion to the narrative. However, the coveted award went to Kevin Kline for A Fish Called Wanda, leaving Noiret, and perhaps many fans, with a sense of disappointment for the overlooked brilliance he brought to the screen.
Ben Kingsley — Sexy Beast (2000)
Ben Kingsley’s surprising role in Jonathan Glazer’s 2000 British crime thriller, “Sexy Beast,” stands out as an unexpected but remarkable inclusion. In this classic portrayal of an old-school gangster, Kingsley plays Don, the overbearing former mob boss pressuring the retired gangster Gal (Ray Winstone) into one last heist in the Costa del Sol.
Kingsley’s performance in “Sexy Beast” is distinct from any of his previous or subsequent roles. As the hot-headed and almost unhinged head honcho, complete with a convincing cockney accent, Kingsley demonstrates an unparalleled versatility in front of the camera. Despite this exceptional performance, Kingsley narrowly missed out on an Academy Award, with the honor going to Benicio Del Toro instead.
Paul Newman — Road to Perdition (2002)
Celebrating its 20th anniversary last year, Sam Mendes’ “Road to Perdition” has solidified its status as a timeless film. Based on Allan Collins’ novel, the movie depicts hitman Michael Sullivan (played by Tom Hanks) on the run with his son after the latter witnesses a murder.
This choice is influenced by a mix of sentimental value and Paul Newman’s exceptional performance. It marks Newman’s final Academy Award nomination, occurring just five years before his passing. In the role of the ruthless mob boss John Rooney, Newman brings his expertise and seasoned acting to seamlessly support Tom Hanks in guiding “Road to Perdition.”
Burt Reynolds — Boogie Nights (1997)
“Boogie Nights stands as one of Paul Thomas Anderson’s pivotal works, marking a crucial point in his career as an auteur. Set in the 1970s San Fernando Valley, the film follows the journey of Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg), a high school dropout who rises to prominence as a respected porn star.
Burt Reynolds, cast as the enigmatic and slightly seedy porn director-turned-tycoon Jack Horner, played a pivotal role in the film’s success. His portrayal added a layer of complexity to the highly sexualized narrative, contributing significantly to the movie’s cult classic status. Despite a well-deserved nomination, Reynolds faced tough competition, ultimately losing the Academy Award to the formidable Robin Williams for his role in Good Will Hunting.”
Benicio Del Toro — 21 Grams (2003)
Alejandro G. Inarritu’s initial foray into English-language filmmaking, 21 Grams, presents a powerful depiction of three interconnected lives following a tragic incident. Benicio Del Toro, alongside Sean Penn and Naomi Watts, portrays Jack Jordan, a formerly troubled criminal seeking redemption through religion. Del Toro’s compelling performance, characterized by slicked-back hair and a distant demeanor, adds a dynamic quality to the film and elicits profound empathy as he becomes a victim of circumstance. Despite winning the Best Supporting Actor award three years earlier for Traffic, Del Toro narrowly missed the honor at the 2004 Academy Awards, losing to Tim Robbins from Mystic River.
John Goodman — The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Academy has consistently overlooked the Coen brothers, and John Goodman, particularly for his role as Walter in The Big Lebowski, deserves more recognition than he has received. Despite Jeff Bridges’ captivating portrayal of “The Dude,” it is Goodman’s outstanding performance as the outspoken and irate Vietnam War veteran that adds a significant and impressive element to the film’s unique humor.
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Samuel L. Jackson — Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction stands as a pinnacle in Quentin Tarantino’s illustrious filmmaking career, portraying the intricacies of the criminal underworld in Los Angeles and the interconnected coincidences shaping its characters.
When considering Samuel L. Jackson’s performance as Jules Winnfield, an LA mobster, one can confidently assert that he consistently delivers exceptional performances across various roles. His portrayal of the ice-cool killer exudes both charisma and swagger, making him a captivating presence on screen. Regrettably, despite his outstanding performance, he fell short of winning the Academy Award, losing to Martin Landau for his role as Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood.
Joe Pesci — Raging Bull (1980)
Raging Bull, a compelling exploration of the triumphs and challenges faced by world champion boxer Jake LaMotta, stands out as one of Martin Scorsese’s finest films. The narrative provides a poignant and at times unsettling portrayal of LaMotta’s life in New York.
In terms of recognition, Joe Pesci’s well-deserved Academy Award came a decade later than it might have, finally acknowledging his outstanding portrayal of the volatile gangster Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas. Nevertheless, it was his performance as Joey in the monochromatic 1980s classic Raging Bull that initially showcased Pesci’s acting prowess. Playing Jake LaMotta’s brother and boxing trainer, Pesci demonstrated remarkable on-screen chemistry with Robert De Niro, delivering a nuanced performance that marked his entry into acting stardom. Despite his compelling performance, Pesci lost the award to Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People.
Joaquin Phoenix — Gladiator (2000)
Joaquin Phoenix solidified his place in cinematic history with a remarkable portrayal of on-screen villainy as the ruthless Emperor Commodus in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. The film depicted Russell Crowe’s character, Maximus, enslaved and compelled to engage in gladiatorial pursuits under the manipulative Commodus.
Phoenix’s performance in Gladiator was a tour de force, earning him acclaim and sparking debates about why he deserved to win an Academy Award. In this acting masterpiece, Phoenix skillfully embodies an enigmatic aura of malevolence. Whether it’s his ominous physical features or the intensity in his eyes, he convincingly portrays Commodus as a haughty tyrant driven by greed, self-interest, and a sadistic lust for power. Despite his exceptional performance, Phoenix faced disappointment at the 2001 Academy Awards, losing to Benicio Del Toro.
Omar Sharif — Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
David Lean’s timeless cinematic masterpiece, “Lawrence of Arabia,” continues to captivate audiences today, just as it did in 1962. The film’s grandiose long shots and remarkably advanced color grading contribute to its status as one of the finest productions of its era. Beyond its visual excellence, the performances in the movie are equally extraordinary. Chronicling T.E. Lawrence’s (Peter O’Toole) significant endeavors in the Middle East, the film pays homage to one of the 20th century’s most influential figures.
Omar Sharif, a relatively unknown name before his role in this epic saga, had primarily appeared in low-budget Egyptian films. However, his portrayal of Sherif Ali, Lawrence’s aide, confidant, and translator, showcased Sharif’s brilliance. In this role, he embodied duty, loyalty, and subservience with exquisite skill. Despite his character’s rank, Sharif infused Sherif Ali with empathy, humanity, and genuine likability. Although Sharif was a strong contender for the Academy Award that year, Ed Begley ultimately won for his performance in “Sweet Bird of Youth.”
Ralph Fiennes — Schindler’s List (1993)
Arguably, one of the most controversial snubs in Oscar history occurred when Ralph Fiennes failed to win the Best Supporting Actor Award for his compelling portrayal of Amon Goeth in Steven Spielberg’s powerful Holocaust film, Schindler’s List. Despite widespread acclaim for the movie, Fiennes lost the award to Tommy Lee Jones for The Fugitive. Fiennes took on the role of the sinister Amon Goeth, the ruthless overseer of the Krakow-Plaszow concentration camp, embodying the violent anti-Semitic ideology of the Nazi party. His performance was truly mesmerizing, skillfully capturing the malevolence at the core of Goeth’s character. Fiennes not only outshone his co-star, Liam Neeson, but also left an indelible mark as one of the most memorable on-screen antagonists in cinematic history.
Al Pacino — The Godfather (1972)
Regarded as one of the most outstanding trilogies in cinematic history, The Godfather trilogy left an indelible mark on the film industry with its impeccably crafted movies. The initial installment delves into the world of Vito Corleone, a Mafia leader heading the Corleone crime family in 1940s New York.
Al Pacino’s performance in The Godfather, particularly as Michael Corleone, was nothing short of timeless. Despite delivering a masterful portrayal, Pacino shockingly missed out on the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, an unfortunate outcome attributed to the Academy’s oversight in favor of Joel Grey from Cabaret. This decision is widely considered one of the most egregious snubs in Academy Award history. Pacino, known for his role in Dog Day Afternoon, brought sophistication and sartorial elegance to the character of the notorious mob boss’ son, making the lack of recognition a significant injustice.
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