Never Been Nominated for Oscars

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Richard Gere
Sure, he's done some drippy romances, but it's still surprising that the Academy's never looked his way -- not for 'American Gigolo,' not for 'An Officer and a Gentleman,' not even for 'Chicago' (which won him a Golden Globe). On the other hand, he's been named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive not once, but twice. Eat your heart out, De Niro.

Vera Anderson, WireImage.com

Meg Ryan
Thrice Golden-Globe-nominated for romantic comedies, Ryan never received props for her fine dramatic work as a heroic soldier in 'Courage Under Fire' or as an alcoholic mom in 'When a Man Loves a Woman.' Perhaps if she had, she wouldn't have delivered such an emotionally and, yes, physically naked turn in 'In the Cut.' You decide if that's a good thing.

Evan Agostini, Getty Images

John Cusack
He was the dean of teen movies (marry us, Lloyd Dobler!) until he astonished everyone with his dark turn as a con artist in Stephen Frears' 'The Grifters.' After being snubbed again for 'Being John Malkovich,' it looked like his luck might change, with a heralded performance in 2007's moving 'Grace Is Gone.' Alas, it seems there is no 'Sure Thing' when it comes to the Oscars.

Jeff Vespa, WireImage.com

Jim Carrey
The over-caffeinated funnyman really can act his ass off, as he proved in the ahead-of-its-time satire 'The Truman Show,' as comic Andy Kaufman in 'Man on the Moon' and in the universally lauded 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.' Yet Carrey was snubbed for each -- and, given his recent choices (e.g., 'The Number 23'), may not get another shot anytime soon.

Avik Gilboa, WireImage.com

Sandra Bullock
We know, who gets nominated for 'Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous'? But pay close attention to Bullock's recent career choices: She was almost unfathomably good in the Oscar stunner 'Crash,' even if the accolades went Matt Dillon's way. Then she impressed again going the unglam route in the underseen Capote redux 'Infamous.' Bring it on, Bullock!

Shaun Curry, AFP / Getty Images

Martin Sheen
Sheen deserved a nom for his very first big-screen role, in 1973's 'Badlands'; perhaps he didn't get it because he was known as a "TV actor" then. But there was just no possible excuse for his being passed over for a scorching performance in the 1979 war epic 'Apocalypse Now.' What were those Academy members smoking?

Tyler Demogenes, Retna

Steve Martin
Historically, Oscar doesn't look favorably upon comedy, so -- despite five Golden Globe nominations -- the guy who gave us one of the funniest performances ever in 'The Jerk' has a big fat goose egg in the Oscar nod column. Academy voters, wake up and smell the genius -- and please don't let 'Pink Panther' or its upcoming sequel make you think less of him.

Armando Gallo, Retna

Kevin Bacon
No, 'Footloose,' 'Tremors' and 'The Hollow Man' don't scream Oscar, but Bacon's sizzled as an underrated character actor in biggies like 'JFK,' 'A Few Good Men' and 'Apollo 13.' Still, we could forgive the Academy overlooking his small roles, but to not recognize his brave, nuanced turn as a pedophile in '04's 'The Woodsman' is just ... criminal.

Jeff Vespa, WireImage.com

Maria Bello
She deservedly snagged Golden Globe nominations for playing Viggo Mortensen's deceived wife in 'A History of Violence' and for playing with William H. Macy's package in 'The Cooler' -- but Oscar has refused to show her any love. Looks like the Academy doesn't know how to solve a "problem" like Maria.

Jeff Vespa, WireImage.com

Jeff Daniels
Those of us who loved 'Squid and the Whale' are still reeling that Daniels wasn't recognized for a terrific performance that earned him his third Globe nomination (after 'Purple Rose of Cairo' and 'Something Wild'). Could it be the Academy won't forgive him for 'Dumb & Dumber'? Geez, you film one explosive diarrhea scene ...

George Pimentel, WireImage.com