It takes a very talented actor to pick up a script and bring a character to life. Your favorite films, television shows and even Broadway plays wouldn’t be the same if the right people weren’t cast in each role. Not only are these artists tasked with memorizing hundreds of pages of lines, they’re also responsible for transforming their facial expressions, tone of voice and movements to flawlessly execute their portrayal.
Dozens of award shows honor actors for their contributions to the entertainment industry each year. The winners aren’t always stars of the year’s biggest blockbusters, but that certainly doesn’t mean they didn’t put on a larger-than-life performance. Some of the greatest actors in the business can take on any character with gusto -- and they have the awards to prove it.
If you’re curious about which actors have won the most awards, you’re in luck. Gracenote has compiled data from 62 different award shows -- including the Academy Awards, Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTA, Grammys, Screen Actors Guild, Critics’ Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards and more -- to identify the most celebrated actors of all time.
Keep reading to find out which of your favorite actors are favored by the critics, too.
#30. Judy Davis
Judy Davis has won 17 awards, including three Emmys. The Australian actress has been nominated 30 times, with seven nods and four wins for her work on “Husbands and Wives.”
#29. Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall has received 17 awards, including one Oscar for 1983’s “Tender Mercies.” The actor has been nominated for his work 41 times, dating back to 1972’s “The Godfather.”
#28. Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey has won 17 awards, including two Oscars and one Tony. The actor has been nominated for a total of 43 awards, with 14 nods for his work on “House of Cards.”
#27. Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem has received 17 awards, including one Oscar for his work on 2007’s “No Country for Old Men.” The actor has been honored with 30 total nominations.
#26. Sissy Spacek
Sissy Spacek has won 17 awards out of 37 total nominations. The actress won an Oscar for 1980’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
#25. Geoffrey Rush
Geoffrey Rush has received 18 awards, including one Emmy, one Oscar and one Tony. The actor has been nominated 35 times, with 10 nods for 2010’s “The King’s Speech.”
#24. Robin Williams
Robin Williams won 18 awards, including two Emmys, three Grammys and one Oscar. The late actor and comedian was nominated 44 times, dating back to 1978 for “Mork and Mindy.”
#23. Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith has received 18 awards, including three Emmys, two Oscars and one Tony. The British actress has been nominated 49 times, with the most recent 13 being for “Downton Abbey.”
#22. Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine has won 18 awards, including one Oscar for 1983’s “Terms of Endearment.” The actress has been nominated for a total of 50 awards, dating back to 1954.
#21. Liv Ullmann
Liv Ullmann has received 19 awards out of 27 total nominations. The actress and director earned six nominations and three wins for 1976’s “Ansikte mot Ansikte.”
#20. Tina Fey
Tina Fey has won 19 awards for her work, including eight Emmys. The comedian and comedy writer has received 60 nominations, 43 of which were for her work on “30 Rock.”
#19. Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa Redgrave has received 19 awards, including two Emmys, one Oscar and one Tony. She has been honored with 48 nominations, most recently for 2014’s “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.”
#18. Jack Lemmon
Jack Lemmon won 19 awards, including two Emmys and two Oscars. The late actor was honored with 52 total nominations, including two wins for 2000’s “Tuesdays With Morrie.”
#17. Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman has received 20 awards, out of 32 total nominations. He has been honored with two Oscars for his work on 1971’s “The French Connection” and 1992’s “Unforgiven.”
#16. Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson has won 20 awards, including one Emmy and two Oscars. The actress has received 52 total nominations, including two for 2014’s “Saving Mr. Banks.”
#15. Dustin Hoffman
Dustin Hoffman has received 21 awards, including one Emmy and two Oscars. The actor has been honored with 42 total nominations, dating back to 1967’s “The Graduate.”
#14. George Clooney
George Clooney has won 22 awards for his work, out of 67 total nominations. The actor has received two Oscars for his work on 2005’s “Syriana” and 2012’s “Argo.”
#13. Al Pacino
Al Pacino has received 22 awards, including two Emmys, one Oscar and two Tonys. Best known for his work on “The Godfather,” the actor has been honored with 49 total nominations.
#12. Sean Penn
Sean Penn has won 23 awards, out of 47 total nominations. The actor has been honored with Oscars for his work in 2003’s “Mystic River” and 2008’s “Milk.”
#11. Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks has received 24 awards, including six Emmys and two Oscars. The actor has been honored with 58 total nominations, dating back to 1988’s “Big.”
#10. Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence has won 25 awards for her work, out of 43 total nominations. The actress received an Oscar for her work in 2012’s “Silver Linings Playbook.”
#9. Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore has received 27 awards, including one Emmy and one Oscar. The actress has earned 55 total nominations, with eight nods for 2014’s “Still Alice.”
#8. Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart has won 28 awards, including 22 Emmys and two Grammys. The former host of “The Daily Show” has received 56 total nominations for his work.
#7. Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood has received 28 awards for his work, including four Oscars. The esteemed actor and director has been nominated 67 times, most recently for 2015’s “American Sniper.”
#6. Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett has won 29 awards out of 62 total nominations. The Australian actress has been honored with two Oscars for her work on “The Aviator” and “Blue Jasmine.”
#5. Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren has received 31 awards, including four Emmys, one Oscar and one Tony. The star of “The Queen” has been honored with 61 total nominations since 1984.
#4. Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis has won 35 awards, out of 48 total nominations. He has received three Oscars for his work on “My Left Foot,” “There Will Be Blood” and “Lincoln.”
#3. Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson has received 39 awards for his work, including three Oscars. The legendary actor has been nominated for a total of 69 awards, dating back to 1969’s “Easy Rider.”
#2. Woody Allen
Woody Allen has won 40 awards — including four Oscars — out of a grand total of 105 nods. The actor, comedian, director and screenwriter won his first two Oscars for 1977’s “Annie Hall.”
#1. Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep has received 51 awards for her work, including two Emmys and three Oscars. She’s been honored with 125 total nominations, dating back to 1978’s “The Deer Hunter.”
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