10 Actors Who Tried Like Hell To Win An Oscar (But Failed)

As the Oscars draw ever nearer, film lovers everywhere are pursing their lips and casting their own projections as to which films and which players are likely to walk away with the big awards.

But as much as fans and critics might be pondering the matter, this is doubtless nothing compared to what the nominees themselves are going through. For some of them, finding their name listed might be an unexpected honour; but for many, it was no doubt exactly what they were aiming for.

It usually isn't hard to spot when an actor is making a concerted effort to net themselves an Oscar. If they're a big name, they're most likely taking a dip in pay on a smaller, less glossy production dealing with edgier, more topical subject matter. Very often it will be a drama based on true events, maybe with a role who is/was a public figure.

Then, of course, there'll be all the extensive stories in the press about all the research and preparation that went into the role, with the actors making grandiose declarations of what a life-changing experience it proved to be.

Let's not be too cynical, now; surely in some instances the actors in question are entirely genuine in expressing such sentiments. But it's even more likely that they're casting their line and fishing for an Oscar with their name on it.

However, that isn't always the way things turn out, even for the hottest stas in Hollywood.

After blasting his way to the A-list with 1986's Top Gun, Tom Cruise was anxious to prove there was more to him than shirtless volleyball scenes. His next two movies, The Color of Money and Rain Man, were both Best Actor Oscar winners - albeit for his co-stars, Paul Newman and Dustin Hoffman.

As such, Cruise clearly had his eye on the Oscar as soon as he signed on for director Oliver Stone's next film after Platoon (itself a huge Oscar winner). The star was cast in the lead as Ron Kovic, a real-life Vietnam veteran who was paralysed in combat, and ultimately became an anti-war activist.

Anxious for authenticity, Cruise and Stone were both reportedly keen on the actor having some form of temporary paralysis induced. As no safe means of doing this could be found, Cruise had to be content with going method, remaining wheelchair-bound whilst filming the post-injury scenes.

It didn't pay off for the actor, though. While Born on the Fourth of July bagged him his first nomination, and grabbed the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars, Cruise lost out to Daniel Day-Lewis for My Left Foot.

Subsequently, Cruise has had two Oscar nominations, for Jerry Maguire in 1997 and Magnolia in 2000.