As Hollywood gears up for the 97th Academy Awards excitement is at an all-time high. While new stars will take center stage, it’s always fascinating to look back at the actors who have made Oscar history with their multiple wins. Over the decades, only a handful of performers have managed to secure three or more Academy Awards, cementing their legacy in cinema. Let’s revisit some of the most decorated actors in Oscar history.
Katharine Hepburn
No one has surpassed Katharine Hepburn’s record of four Academy Awards for acting. She remains the most awarded actor in Oscar history. Her first win came in 1934 for ‘Morning Glory.’ However, it took another 35 years for her second triumph in 1968 with ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.’ In a rare back-to-back victory, she won again in 1969 for ‘The Lion in Winter.’ Finally, at the age of 75, she received her fourth Oscar for ‘On Golden Pond’ in 1982. Interestingly, despite her numerous wins, Hepburn never attended an Oscars ceremony to accept her awards.
Daniel Day-Lewis
With three Best Actor Oscars, Daniel Day-Lewis is the most awarded male actor in this category. Always known for his immersive method acting, his first Oscar came in 1989 for ‘My Left Foot,’ where he portrayed an artist with cerebral palsy. Nearly two decades later, he won again in 2008 for his chilling performance in ‘There Will Be Blood.’ His final win came in 2013, for his masterful transformation into Abraham Lincoln in ‘Lincoln.’ Day-Lewis retired from acting in 2017, leaving behind a flawless legacy.
Jack Nicholson
A legend with an impressive three Oscars, Jack Nicholson has dominated both the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. His first major win came in 1975, playing the rebellious Randle McMurphy in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Over two decades later, he won Best Actor again in 1997 for As Good as It Gets. His third win came in the Best Supporting Actor category for Terms of Endearment (1983). With 12 nominations, he is among the most recognized actors in Academy history.
Meryl Streep
No actor has been nominated for an Oscar as many times as Meryl Streep. With 21 nominations and three wins, she has dominated Hollywood for decades. Her first Oscar came in 1979 for Best Supporting Actress in ‘Kramer vs. Kramer.’ She then won Best Actress for ‘Sophie’s Choice’ in 1983 and again in 2012 for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in ‘The Iron Lady.’ Even with three wins, many argue she deserves even more, given her exceptional body of work.
Frances McDormand
Few actors have been able to maintain consistent success like Frances McDormand. She has won three Best Actress Oscars—for ‘Fargo'(1996), ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing,’ ‘Missouri’ (2018), and ‘Nomadland'(2021). What sets McDormand apart is that she also won Best Picture as a producer for Nomadland, making her one of the most decorated individuals in Oscars history.
Ingrid Bergman
Between 1948 and 1978, Ingrid Bergman earned eight Oscar nominations, winning three times. Her first Best Actress win was for ‘Gaslight’ (1944), followed by a second for ‘Anastasia’ (1956). She later won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1974 adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express. Bergman remains a symbol of classic Hollywood excellence.
Walter Brennan
Though often overlooked, Walter Brennan holds a unique Oscars record. He was nominated four times in the Best Supporting Actor category and won three—for Come and Get It (1936), Kentucky (1938), and The Westerner (1940). He remains one of the most celebrated supporting actors in film history.
As the countdown begins for the 97th Academy Awards, film lovers are eager to see if any modern stars can join this prestigious list of multi-Oscar winners. Will any actor inch closer to Hepburn’s record? Only time will tell!
