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Most Popular Oscar Winners of All Time

Most Popular Oscar Winners of All Time

One would be hard pressed to find an event that brings more entertainers together in one place than the Academy Awards. Each year the ceremony is held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to “recognize and uphold excellence in the motion picture arts and sciences,” assembling Hollywood’s biggest stars in the process.

The 92nd Academy Awards, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, and airing live on ABC, will be no exception. From the red carpet to the awards ceremony itself, viewers will get to see nearly all of Hollywood’s top brass, with this year’s nominees including Scarlett Johansson, Margot Robbie, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, and more.

As the awards ceremony nears, 24/7 Tempo has looked back at the past 92 years of awards and created an index of the most popular Oscar winners of all time. This list is based on the winners’ popularity and the appeal of their work among movie fans today.

Among the most popular Oscar winners are actors both young and old, as well as a number of directors. They also hail from all corners of the U.S., despite most now living in California. Here is the most famous actor from each state.

While fans and industry insiders frequently debate the merits of many Academy Award recipients, those featured here are the most popular — and therefore, at least in that respect, deserving of the distinction. There are many talented, Oscar-winning filmmakers who are not included here. See who won the Oscar for Best Director every year since the Oscars began here.

 

To identify the most popular Oscar winners of all time, 24/7 Tempo created an index based on two metrics of appeal: the popularity of the films and television shows each winner has appeared in or directed and the popularity of the winner’s Wikipedia page based on pageviews over the past two years.

The number of user votes a film or television episode received on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) was used as a proxy for a given winner’s popularity. A winner’s total popularity was determined by the sum of the votes the winner received for all the films and television episodes for which he or she is credited as being in a top-billed role or as director. Winners were only given credit for episodes of television series in which they appeared or they directed. IMDb vote counts for winners in starring roles were given equal weight in the index to Wikipedia pageviews. Wikipedia pageviews were collected for the two years ending Jan. 10, 2020. All Oscar data is from IMDb.com.

Source: Archive Photos / Getty Images

50. Audrey Hepburn
> Acting credits: 34
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,465,565
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Roman Holiday” (1954)

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

49. Joe Pesci
> Acting credits: 40
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,403,086
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “Goodfellas” (1991)

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

48. Alicia Vikander
> Acting credits: 45
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,861,826
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “The Danish Girl” (2016)

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

47. Jamie Foxx
> Acting credits: 74
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,189,899
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Ray” (2005)

Source: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

46. Jane Fonda
> Acting credits: 56
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,290,083
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Klute” (1972)

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Coming Home” (1979)

Source: Siebbi / Wikimedia Commons

45. Julianne Moore
> Acting credits: 96
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 3,477,437
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Still Alice” (2015)

Source: Joe Maher / Getty Images

44. Jodie Foster
> Acting credits: 81
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,239,329
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Accused” (1989)

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Silence of the Lambs” (1992)

Source: Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images

43. Ron Howard
> Directing credits: 45
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,663,846
> Oscars won: 2

Best Director for “A Beautiful Mind” (2002)

Best Picture for “A Beautiful Mind” (2002)

Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

42. Rachel Weisz
> Acting credits: 57
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,900,528
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “The Constant Gardener” (2006)

Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

41. Marlon Brando
> Acting credits: 57
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,233,710
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “On the Waterfront” (1955)

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “The Godfather” (1973)

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

40. Reese Witherspoon
> Acting credits: 61
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,188,947
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Walk the Line” (2006)

Source: Timothy Hiatt / Getty Images

39. Anthony Hopkins
> Acting credits: 138
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 4,245,475
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “The Silence of the Lambs” (1992)

Source: Jemal Countess / Getty Images

38. Jennifer Connelly
> Acting credits: 52
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,079,658
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “A Beautiful Mind” (2002)

Source: Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images

37. Cher
> Acting credits: 65
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,839,991
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Moonstruck” (1988)

Source: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

36. Michael Douglas
> Acting credits: 64
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,776,478
> Oscars won: 2

Best Picture for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1976)

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Wall Street” (1988)

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

35. James Cameron
> Directing credits: 23
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,041,574
> Oscars won: 3

Best Director for “Titanic” (1998)

Best Picture for “Titanic” (1998)

Best Film Editing for “Titanic” (1998)

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

34. Peter Jackson
> Directing credits: 23
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 2,036,378
> Oscars won: 3

Best Director for “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004)

Best Picture for “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004)

Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay for “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2004)

Source: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

33. Russell Crowe
> Acting credits: 61
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 3,711,572
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Gladiator” (2001)

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

32. Gary Oldman
> Acting credits: 102
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,455,881
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Darkest Hour” (2018)

Source: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

31. Gwyneth Paltrow
> Acting credits: 57
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,951,982
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Shakespeare in Love” (1999)

Source: Kevin Hagen / Getty Images

30. Meryl Streep
> Acting credits: 88
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,737,924
> Oscars won: 3

Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1980)

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Sophie’s Choice” (1983)

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Iron Lady” (2012)

Source: C Flanigan / Getty Images

29. Kate Winslet
> Acting credits: 63
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,949,400
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Reader” (2009)

Source: Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images

28. Cate Blanchett
> Acting credits: 78
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,539,618
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “The Aviator” (2005)

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Blue Jasmine” (2014)

Source: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

27. Sean Connery
> Acting credits: 94
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,483,979
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “The Untouchables” (1988)

Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images

26. Emma Stone
> Acting credits: 48
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,456,280
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “La La Land” (2017)

Source: Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images

25. Julia Roberts
> Acting credits: 63
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,022,577
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Erin Brockovich” (2001)

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

24. Nicole Kidman
> Acting credits: 87
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,700,297
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Hours” (2003)

Source: 360b / Shutterstock.com

23. Jack Nicholson
> Acting credits: 78
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,879,615
> Oscars won: 3

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1976)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “Terms of Endearment” (1984)

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “As Good as It Gets” (1998)

Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images

22. Matthew McConaughey
> Acting credits: 70
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,099,277
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Dallas Buyers Club” (2014)

Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

21. Denzel Washington
> Acting credits: 58
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,770,303
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “Glory” (1990)

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Training Day” (2002)

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

20. George Clooney
> Acting credits: 92
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,893,047
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “Syriana” (2006)

Best Picture for “Argo” (2013)

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

19. Martin Scorsese
> Directing credits: 65
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,299,241
> Oscars won: 1

Best Achievement in Directing for “The Departed” (2007)

Source: Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images

18. Anne Hathaway
> Acting credits: 47
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,087,946
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “Les Misérables” (2013)

Source: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

17. Charlize Theron
> Acting credits: 65
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,423,024
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Monster” (2004)

Source: Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com

16. Sandra Bullock
> Acting credits: 58
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,058,242
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “The Blind Side” (2010)

Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty Images

15. Brie Larson
> Acting credits: 63
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 14,404,649
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Room” (2016)

Source: Sascha Steinbach / Getty Images

14. Nicolas Cage
> Acting credits: 103
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,559,468
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Leaving Las Vegas” (1996)

Source: Peter Kramer / Getty Images

13. Robin Williams
> Acting credits: 107
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,924,054
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “Good Will Hunting” (1998)

Source: Foreign and Commonwealth Office / Flickr

12. Angelina Jolie
> Acting credits: 57
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 11,226,277
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “Girl, Interrupted” (2000)

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

11. Jennifer Lawrence
> Acting credits: 33
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,272,220
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Silver Linings Playbook” (2013)

Source: Carlo Allegri / Getty Images

10. Heath Ledger
> Acting credits: 23
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 12,088,905
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “The Dark Knight” (2009)

Source: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com

9. Al Pacino
> Acting credits: 61
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,158,431
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Scent of a Woman” (1993)

Source: Lilechka75 / Getty Images

8. Morgan Freeman
> Acting credits: 126
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,397,378
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “Million Dollar Baby” (2005)

Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images

7. Natalie Portman
> Acting credits: 66
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,859,472
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role for “Black Swan” (2011)

Source: Jason Merritt/TERM / Getty Images

6. Christian Bale
> Acting credits: 53
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,418,809
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “The Fighter” (2011)

Source: Tristan Fewings / Getty Images

5. Steven Spielberg
> Directing credits: 58
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,603,074
> Oscars won: 3

Best Director for “Schindler’s List” (1994)

Best Picture for “Schindler’s List” (1994)

Best Director for “Saving Private Ryan” (1999)

Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

4. Clint Eastwood
> Directing credits: 41
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 16,154,776
> Oscars won: 3

Best Director for “Unforgiven” (1993)

Best Picture for “Unforgiven” (1993)

Best Achievement in Directing for “Million Dollar Baby” (2005)

Source: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

3. Robert De Niro
> Acting credits: 120
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,790,875
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Supporting Role for “The Godfather: Part II” (1975)

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Raging Bull” (1981)

Source: Polifoto / Shutterstock.com

2. Tom Hanks
> Acting credits: 91
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,439,978
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Philadelphia” (1994)

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Forrest Gump” (1995)

Source: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images

1. Leonardo DiCaprio
> Acting credits: 55
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 13,712,157
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role for “The Revenant” (2016)

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