10 Best Directors That Have Never Won An Oscar

Spike Lee is certainly a divisive character, both with his work behind the camera and his general personality. He makes movies which are unapologetically black, and is frequently talking about perceived racism in the industry.

He’s certainly got a point (numerous years have seen only white nominees across the board), but some of his targets seem a bit off too, and he hasn’t endeared himself to the public. Claiming Tarantino is racist because his characters say the n word missed the mark (is he also a murderer because his characters kill?), and many in the Academy are a bit sour on Lee.

Still, he actually did nab an Oscar this year, for BlacKkKlansman’s screenplay. This year also saw his first Best Director nominee for the same film, but will be most remembered for storming out of the room when Green Book won Best Picture.

Considering Do The Right Thing, 25th Hour & Malcolm X failed to see him even nominated, you can see why he feels the industry is against him. That Driving Miss Daisy - like Green Book, a flawed film about racism which casts a white character in the spotlight - beat Do The Right Thing must especially sting.