1. Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe is without question one of the most famous screen stars of all-time, and deservedly so. Her image alone, one of the most iconic images of female beauty and American sex appeal, will probably forever overshadow her acting ability. For all the beauty, popularity and controversy surrounding Monroe in her life, she was a solid actress who gave a handful of great performances in her short career. Oscar-winning director Billy Wilder, who worked with Monroe twice, said she had an undeniable magic that no other actress had, and she certainly did. Her star power and charisma can be seen in all of her roles. Marilyn Monroe was overlooked by the Academy on a few occasions for genuinely terrific performances. Her first snub was for the 1953 musical-comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, with her performance of "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" being the now classic standout in the film. The 1959 cross-dress comedy Some Like It Hot is one of the best comedy films ever made, and Monroe's performance as the empathetic band leader Sugar is on equal par with her co-stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon and surely a major oversight on the Academy's list of notorious misses. Monroe's final film role was a much darker and introspective turn in the John Huston drama The Misfits. She plays the part with a sadness that was once again overshadowed by her more notorious life off camera, yet her superb work - very much deserving of a Best Actress Oscar - was once again cut out of the race. Monroe died a year later of an overdose of sleeping pills.
Can you think of any other great actors that have never been nominated for an Oscar? If so, send us a comment below.