10 Golden Globe Wins That Oscars Unfairly Ignored
Some of the most memorable Golden Globe-winning performances never made it to the Oscars stage. Discover which acclaimed actors were celebrated at the Globes but overlooked by the Academy.
The Golden Globes have always been a bit of a mixed bag—sometimes the butt of industry jokes, sometimes the unexpected voice of reason in awards season chaos. While the ceremony has copped its fair share of scandals and eyebrow-raising moments, it’s also managed to spotlight performances that the Oscars have completely missed. With its split categories for drama and comedy/musical, the Globes often give a nod to work that’s a bit left of centre, and occasionally, they get it spot on where the Academy doesn’t.
Here are ten times the Globes recognised a performance that the Oscars left out in the cold.
Unforgettable Performances That Missed Oscar Glory
Jim Carrey’s turn in The Truman Show was a real eye-opener. Known for his rubber-faced comedy, Carrey showed a more serious side as Truman, a bloke whose life is secretly a TV show. He picked up the Globe for Best Actor in a Drama, but the Oscars didn’t even give him a look-in, despite nods for director Peter Weir and co-star Ed Harris. To rub salt in the wound, Carrey won again the next year for Man on the Moon—and was snubbed again by the Academy.
Gene Hackman, a legend by any measure, delivered a cracker of a performance in Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. Playing the eccentric family patriarch, Hackman won the Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical, but the Oscars didn’t even nominate him. Maybe they figured he’d had enough trophies, but it set a trend—no Anderson lead has ever scored an Oscar nod.
Nicole Kidman’s work in To Die For was sharp, darkly funny, and ahead of its time. She took home the Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical, but the Academy overlooked her. Years later, she finally got her Oscar for The Hours, but many reckon her earlier role was the real standout.
Comedic Genius and Genre Bias
Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat is one of those characters you can’t forget, for better or worse. Cohen won the Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical, but the Oscars only recognised him for writing, not acting. The same thing happened with the sequel. At least he eventually got a Supporting Actor nomination for Trial of the Chicago 7.
Richard Harris brought King Arthur to life in Camelot, earning the Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical. The film cleaned up in technical categories at the Oscars, but Harris himself was left out. It’s not the only time the Academy has snubbed Arthurian tales, either.
Tim Robbins nailed the role of a ruthless studio exec in The Player, winning the Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical. The Oscars, though, didn’t bite. Maybe the performance hit a bit too close to home for Hollywood’s own power players. Robbins did eventually win an Oscar for Mystic River, but his earlier work still stands out.
Comebacks, Cult Favourites, and Missed Opportunities
John Travolta’s career was on the ropes before Pulp Fiction put him back on the map. He followed it up with a brilliant turn in Get Shorty, winning the Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical. Despite the buzz, the Oscars didn’t even nominate him, leaving one of the world’s most recognisable stars without an Academy Award.
Jamie Lee Curtis is now an Oscar winner, but her win for Everything Everywhere All At Once was divisive. Many reckon she should’ve been recognised much earlier for her hilarious and heartfelt performance in True Lies, which earned her a Globe but not an Oscar nod. Even the SAG Awards gave her a shout, but the Academy didn’t budge.
Rachel Zegler faced a tough gig stepping into the role of Maria in Spielberg’s West Side Story remake. She won the Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical, but the Oscars left her out. Not bad for a first film, though, and she’s clearly got plenty of fans in the industry.
George Clooney, fresh off a rough patch post-Batman & Robin, found his groove in O Brother, Where Art Thou? His performance was a highlight, earning him the Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical. The film’s soundtrack even won a Grammy, but Clooney didn’t get an Oscar nod for his work. He later won for Syrianna, but this earlier role is the one punters still talk about.