15 Great Actors Who Have Never Won An Oscar

Will Smith has certainly tried to win an Oscar over his career. He put in a hell of a lot of work and passion to portray Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's mostly affecting Ali biopic, and he gave a tear-inducing portrayal of parental grief and suffering in The Pursuit of Happyness.

Alas, both were to no avail, as was his obviously Oscar-baiting turn in Seven Pounds just a couple of years later.

Smith is one of those actors who makes every film he stars in that little bit more enjoyable (except maybe After Earth and Gemini Man; they couldn't be saved by anyone), offering performances that always transcend the movies themselves.

Better still, there's his staggering ability to shift between genre, balancing his career with searing dramas, over-the-top comedies and thoughtful biopics.

Next set to portray the father of Venus and Serena Williams in the sports drama King Richard, it could be that Smith ends his Academy drought soon. Given his luck (and a strained relationship with the Academy), that also might be wishful thinking.