The Academy Awards are more than a month away, and the nominations won’t be known until January 23, but anticipation for the event is growing. This year’s ceremony, which will be held on March 4, is certain to be infused with activism from the #MeToo movement as well as jibes aimed at the nation’s Commander In Chief.
Politics aside, there is a good chance the nominees in the acting categories this year will include some of the most popular Oscar winners ever.
As the Academy Awards ceremony nears, 24/7 Wall St. has created an index of the most popular Oscar winners of all time based on several metrics. These measures include each actor’s IMDb ranking, internet popularity, and appeal of their work – combined in order to determine which of this year’s nominated actors are the most popular among the fans.
Apart from actors and actresses, the list of the most popular Oscar winners of all time includes directors and one rap artist. As expected, Hollywood heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Morgan Freeman make the list, which also includes venerable performers such as Meryl Streep and Sean Connery as well as rising stars like Emma Stone.
Popularity based on Wikipedia page views, one of the gauges used to create the list, does not always boost an actor’s ranking, nor is it always positive. Disgraced media mogul Harvey Weinstein would have made the list if it were for the number of page views on Wikipedia.
Negative attention has been directed at other motion picture industry figures on the list. Those people include Mel Gibson, whose otherwise storied movie career was tainted by racist and anti-Semitic remarks, and Clint Eastwood, who ran afoul with the Hollywood community after his speech criticizing the Obama administration at the 2012 Republican National Convention.
Click here to see most popular Oscar winners of all time.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: lev radin / Shutterstock.com
50. Michael Douglas
> Acting credits: 57
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,934,367
> Oscars won: 2
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1988) – “Wall Street”
Best Picture (1976) – “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
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Source: Hulton Archive / Getty Images
49. Marlon Brando
> Acting credits: 45
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,022,214
> Oscars won: 2
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1973) – “The Godfather”
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1955) – “On the Waterfront”
Source: Sam Aronov / Shutterstock.com
48. Christopher Walken
> Acting credits: 132
> Annual Wikipedia views: 1,933,513
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1979) – “The Deer Hunter”
Source: Tristan Fewings / Getty Images
47. Steven Spielberg
> Directing credits: 56
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,425,113
> Oscars won: 4
Best Director (1999) – “Saving Private Ryan”
Best Picture (1994) – “Schindler’s List”
Best Director (1994) – “Schindler’s List”
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award (1987)
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Source: Kevin Winter / One Voice: Somos Live! / Getty Images
46. Jamie Foxx
> Acting credits: 55
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,658,558
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actress in a Leading Role (2002) – “Monster’s Ball”
Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty Images
45. Halle Berry
> Acting credits: 52
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,866,607
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actress in a Leading Role (2002) – “Monster’s Ball”
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Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
44. Rachel Weisz
> Acting credits: 57
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,982,892
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (2006) – “The Constant Gardener”
Source: Joe Maher / Getty Images
43. Jodie Foster
> Acting credits: 80
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,626,999
> Oscars won: 2
Best Actress in a Leading Role (1992) – “The Silence of the Lambs”
Best Actress in a Leading Role (1989) – “The Accused”
Source: El Hormiguero / Flickr
42. Jennifer Connelly
> Acting credits: 49
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,321,415
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (2002) – “A Beautiful Mind”
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Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
41. Jared Leto
> Acting credits: 38
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,276,581
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2014) – “Dallas Buyers Club”
Source: Siebbi / Wikimedia Commons
40. Julianne Moore
> Acting credits: 88
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,048,787
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2015) – “Still Alice”
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Source: Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com
39. Sandra Bullock
> Acting credits: 57
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,522,952
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2010) – “The Blind Side”
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Source: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
38. Sean Connery
> Acting credits: 93
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,939,342
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1988) – “The Untouchables”
Source: Kevin Hagen / Getty Images
37. Meryl Streep
> Acting credits: 81
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,024,439
> Oscars won: 3
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2012) – “The Iron Lady”
Best Actress in a Leading Role (1983) – “Sophie’s Choice”
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (1980) – “Kramer vs. Kramer”
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Source: Leon Bennett / Getty Images
36. Casey Affleck
> Acting credits: 42
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,675,158
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (2017) – “Manchester by the Sea”
Source: Timothy Hiatt / Getty Images
35. Anthony Hopkins
> Acting credits: 132
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,248,679
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1992) – “The Silence of the Lambs”
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Source: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com
34. Russell Crowe
> Acting credits: 57
> Annual Wikipedia views: 1,823,641
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actor in a Leading Role (2001) – “Gladiator”
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
33. Reese Witherspoon
> Acting credits: 57
> Annual Wikipedia views: 5,004,205
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2006) – “Walk the Line”
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
32. Gwyneth Paltrow
> Acting credits: 55
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,810,491
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actress in a Leading Role (1999) – “Shakespeare in Love”
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Source: Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images
31. Julia Roberts
> Acting credits: 60
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,178,133
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actress in a Leading Role (2001) – “Erin Brockovich”
Source: 360b / Shutterstock.com
30. Jack Nicholson
> Acting credits: 76
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,982,194
> Oscars won: 3
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1998) – “As Good as It Gets”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1984) – “Terms of Endearment”
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1976) – “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
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Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
29. Quentin Tarantino
> Directing credits: 21
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,458,035
> Oscars won: 2
Best Writing, Original Screenplay (2013) – “Django Unchained”
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (1995) – “Pulp Fiction”
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Source: C Flanigan / Getty Images
28. Kate Winslet
> Acting credits: 55
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,495,046
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2009) – “The Reader”
27. Eminem
> Acting credits: 52
> Annual Wikipedia views: 9,267,483
> Oscars won: 1
Best Music, Original Song (2003) – “8 Mile”
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26. Anne Hathaway
> Acting credits: 45
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,063,065
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (2013) – “Les Misérables”
Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
25. Denzel Washington
> Acting credits: 56
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,573,037
> Oscars won: 2
Best Actor in a Leading Role (2002) – “Training Day”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1990) – “Glory”
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Source: John Phillips / Getty Images
24. Mel Gibson
> Acting credits: 60
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,211,466
> Oscars won: 2
Best Picture (1996) – “Braveheart”
Best Director (1996) – “Braveheart”
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Source: Sascha Steinbach / Getty Images
23. Nicolas Cage
> Acting credits: 91
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,116,919
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1996) – “Leaving Las Vegas”
Source: Carlo Allegri / Getty Images
22. Heath Ledger
> Acting credits: 23
> Annual Wikipedia views: 5,527,171
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2009) – “The Dark Knight”
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Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
21. Nicole Kidman
> Acting credits: 80
> Annual Wikipedia views: 5,545,614
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actress in a Leading Role (2003) – “The Hours”
Source: Peter Kramer / Getty Images
20. Robin Williams
> Acting credits: 105
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,707,439
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1998) – “Good Will Hunting”
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Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images
19. Matthew McConaughey
> Acting credits: 64
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,423,280
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (2014) – “Dallas Buyers Club”
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Source: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com
18. Michael Caine
> Acting credits: 167
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,521,319
> Oscars won: 2
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (2000) – “The Cider House Rules”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1987) – “Hannah and Her Sisters”
Source: Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com
17. Angelina Jolie
> Acting credits: 48
> Annual Wikipedia views: 5,369,563
> Oscars won: 2
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (2014)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (2000) – “Girl, Interrupted”
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Source: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com
16. Al Pacino
> Acting credits: 56
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,262,210
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1993) – “Scent of a Woman”
Source: Gage Skidmore / Flickr
15. Charlize Theron
> Acting credits: 53
> Annual Wikipedia views: 5,738,130
> Oscars won: 1
Best Actress in a Leading Role (2004) – “Monster”
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Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
14. George Clooney
> Acting credits: 79
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,268,277
> Oscars won: 2
Best Motion Picture of the Year (2013) – “Argo”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2006) – “Syriana”
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Source: Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images
13. Cate Blanchett
> Acting credits: 69
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,155,301
> Oscars won: 2
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2014) – “Blue Jasmine”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (2005) – “The Aviator”
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
12. Clint Eastwood
> Acting credits: 70
> Annual Wikipedia views: 5,651,523
> Oscars won: 4
Best Motion Picture of the Year (2005) – “Million Dollar Baby”
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award (1995)
Best Picture (1993) – “Unforgiven”
Best Director (1993) – “Unforgiven”
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Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images
11. Emma Stone
> Acting credits: 42
> Annual Wikipedia views: 6,246,887
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2017) – “La La Land”
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
10. Jennifer Lawrence
> Acting credits: 30
> Annual Wikipedia views: 5,921,963
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2013) – “Silver Linings Playbook”
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Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
9. Ben Affleck
> Acting credits: 66
> Annual Wikipedia views: 5,073,916
> Oscars won: 2
Best Motion Picture of the Year (2013) – “Argo”
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (1998) – “Good Will Hunting”
Source: Mira (on the wall) / Flickr
8. Natalie Portman
> Acting credits: 55
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,458,787
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2011) – “Black Swan”
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
7. Christian Bale
> Acting credits: 51
> Annual Wikipedia views: 2,789,229
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2011) – “The Fighter”
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Source: Monica Schipper / Getty Images
6. Robert De Niro
> Acting credits: 113
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,679,166
> Oscars won: 2
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1981) – “Raging Bull”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1975) – “The Godfather: Part II”
Source: BAKOUNINE / Shutterstock.com
5. Matt Damon
> Acting credits: 78
> Annual Wikipedia views: 3,901,742
> Oscars won: 1
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (1998) – “Good Will Hunting”
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Source: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images
4. Morgan Freeman
> Acting credits: 120
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,157,223
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2005) – “Million Dollar Baby”
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Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
3. Tom Hanks
> Acting credits: 85
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,975,730
> Oscars won: 2
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1995) – “Forrest Gump”
Best Actor in a Leading Role (1994) – “Philadelphia”
Source: Rich Fury / Getty Images
2. Brad Pitt
> Acting credits: 79
> Annual Wikipedia views: 4,914,308
> Oscars won: 1
Best Motion Picture of the Year (2014) – “12 Years a Slave”
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Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
1. Leonardo DiCaprio
> Acting credits: 42
> Annual Wikipedia views: 6,655,526
> Oscars won: 1
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (2016) – “The Revenant”
Many of the most popular actors of this generation are currently appearing in motion pictures. Some performers have won multiple Oscars, and they may bring home the golden statuette again this year.
For starters, two of the best actors of all time — Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks — are paired in the Steven Spielberg film “The Post.” Streep has won the Academy Award three times: twice for best actress and once for supporting actress. Hanks has won twice for best actor. Hanks won best actor in consecutive years — 1994 for “Philadelphia” and 1995 for “Forrest Gump.” Spielberg, who made the most popular Academy Award winners list, has won three Oscars, including two for best director, and could be nominated again for “The Post.”
Possibly vying with Streep for best actress honors this year is previous Oscar winner Frances McDormand, who also made the popular list. She won a Golden Globe for best actress in a motion picture – drama for her performance in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”
If Streep is nominated and goes on to snag a fourth Oscar, she will equal the feat achieved by Katharine Hepburn for all-time Academy Award wins by an actress. Streep has been nominated 20 times for an Academy Award, by far the most of any performer.
Should Hanks be nominated for best actor, he might face stiff competition in that category from previous Oscar winners. Possible nominees might include Daniel Day-Lewis, the only man to win the best actor trophy three times. Day-Lewis stars in the movie “Phantom Thread.”
Another actor who could be nominated for best actor is Denzel Washington, who has best actor and best supporting actor wins to his name. Washington plays the title character in the film “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”
To identify the most popular Oscar winners of all time, 24/7 Wall St. created an index based on three metrics of popularity: the popularity of the films and television show each winner has appeared in or directed, the popularity of the winner’s Wikipedia page based on average daily pageviews over the past year, and the winner’s current STARmeter ranking – a weekly measure of popularity based on user behavior on IMDb.com.
The number of user votes a film or television episode received on IMDb.com was used as a proxy for a given winner’s popularity. A winner’s total popularity was determined by the sum of the votes received for all the films and television episodes for which the winner is credited. Winners were only given credit for episodes of television series in which they appeared. IMDb vote counts for winners in starring roles were given full weight in the index; IMDb vote counts for actors in non-starring roles were given half weight in the index; IMDb vote counts for directors were given one-tenth weight in the index. All Oscar data is from IMDb.com.
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