Not every Oscar nominee gets a Hollywood ending.
Snubs are as big a part of the Academy Awards as red carpets, tuxedos and tearful speeches, yet some omissions stand out much more than others.
Several of the most acclaimed films in history didn’t win best picture, while many all-time great actors have never taken home an Oscar trophy.
Before the 2022 Academy Awards arrive at Hollywood’s famed Dolby Theatre on Sunday, we look back at some of the biggest Oscars snubs ever.
‘Citizen Kane’
There’s little debate Orson Welles’ dramatic masterpiece about a media mogul inspired by real-life industry titans is among the very best movies ever made, with the American Film Institute ranking it No. 1 and the Library of Congress preserving it in the inaugural class of the National Film Registry.
However, the film famously missed out on a best picture win at the 1942 Oscars, with “How Green Was My Valley” receiving the honor instead.
“Citizen Kane” received nine nominations at those Academy Awards, but only won for best original screenplay.
‘Saving Private Ryan’
Steven Spielberg’s epic war drama had all the ingredients of a surefire best picture winner, with a topflight director, a standout cast led by Tom Hanks and Oscar wins in many of the craft categories, including editing, cinematography and sound.
Making its loss in the best picture race even more shocking was that the romantic comedy “Shakespeare in Love” won instead, in an Oscars moment that’s left many people still scratching their heads.
“Saving Private Ryan” is also included in the National Film Registry and on the American Film Institute’s greatest movie list, while Spielberg won best director for his work on the film.
Glenn Close
She’s Close, but no cigar.
As an eight-time Oscar finalist with no wins, Close is the most-nominated actress to never receive an Academy Award.
The Connecticut native boasts plenty of performances worthy of wins, but none more so than her scene-stealing work in “Fatal Attraction,” which starred Close as a woman obsessed with a lover after having an affair.
Close, 75, was nominated for best actress in 1988 for her performance, but lost to Cher for the romantic comedy “Moonstruck.”
Samuel L. Jackson
Another illustrious artist to never win a competitive Oscar, Jackson received his lone Oscar nomination in 1995 for best supporting actor for “Pulp Fiction.”
Jackson’s portrayal of the smooth-talking crime associate Jules stood out in a film filled with major stars, and propelled the now-ubiquitous actor to a new level of stardom. The late Martin Landau won for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi in “Ed Wood.”
Jackson recently told British newspaper The Times that he should’ve won that Oscar.
“But Oscars don’t move the comma on your check — it’s about getting a— in seats and I’ve done a good job of doing that,” Jackson said.
Chadwick Boseman
The late Boseman entered last year’s Oscars as a heavy favorite to posthumously win best actor after dominating earlier awards shows with his final film performance as a headstrong horn player in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
Oscars producers seemed confident Boseman would win, moving the best actor announcement to the end of the ceremony to set up a theatrical finish.
Their plan backfired, however, when “The Father” star Anthony Hopkins received the honor — a win that stunned even Hopkins, who hadn’t bothered attending the show.
A win for Boseman would’ve been well deserved for an actor who also dazzled audiences by starring in Marvel’s “Black Panther,” the Jackie Robinson biopic “42″ and the James Brown biopic “Get on Up.”
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