Glenn Close Nominations: How Did She Miss Every Oscar Win?
Glenn Close's Complete Oscar Nominations History
Glenn Close has received eight Academy Award nominations throughout her illustrious career but has never won, tying her with the late Peter O'Toole for the most nominations without a victory among living actors at the time of her last nod. Her journey began in 1983 with a supporting actress nomination for The World According to Garp, followed by nods for The Big Chill (1984), The Natural (1985), Fatal Attraction (1988), Dangerous Liaisons (1989), Albert Nobbs (2012), The Wife (2019), and Hillbilly Elegy (2021). This record underscores her consistent excellence across four decades, yet the Academy has eluded her each time.
- First nomination: The World According to Garp (1983) - Lost to Jessica Lange for Tootsie.
- Second: The Big Chill (1984) - Lost to Linda Hunt for The Year of Living Dangerously.
- Third: The Natural (1985) - Lost to Peggy Ashcroft for A Passage to India.
- Fourth: Fatal Attraction (1988) - Lost to Cher for Moonstruck.
- Fifth: Dangerous Liaisons (1989) - Lost to Jodie Foster for The Accused.
- Sixth: Albert Nobbs (2012) - Lost to Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady.
- Seventh: The Wife (2019) - Lost to Olivia Colman for The Favourite.
- Eighth: Hillbilly Elegy (2021) - Lost to Youn Yuh-jung for Minari.
Why Glenn Close Never Won an Oscar
Each of Glenn Close's losses came against formidable competition, often from performances that defined their respective years. For instance, in 1988, her iconic portrayal of Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction-a role that grossed over $320 million worldwide and became synonymous with cinematic obsession-lost to Cher's transformative turn in Moonstruck, which revitalized the singer's career. Close's competitors averaged 78% Tomatometer scores on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting the razor-thin margins of Oscar races.
| Year | Film | Category | Winner | Winner's Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The World According to Garp | Supporting Actress | Jessica Lange | Tootsie |
| 1984 | The Big Chill | Supporting Actress | Linda Hunt | The Year of Living Dangerously |
| 1985 | The Natural | Supporting Actress | Peggy Ashcroft | A Passage to India |
| 1988 | Fatal Attraction | Lead Actress | Cher | Moonstruck |
| 1989 | Dangerous Liaisons | Lead Actress | Jodie Foster | The Accused |
| 2012 | Albert Nobbs | Lead Actress | Meryl Streep | The Iron Lady |
| 2019 | The Wife | Lead Actress | Olivia Colman | The Favourite |
| 2021 | Hillbilly Elegy | Supporting Actress | Youn Yuh-jung | Minari |
Statistical analysis reveals Close holds a 0% win rate despite an average Oscar odds favoritism of 35% in her strongest years, per historical betting data from sources like Gold Derby. Her eight nods span 38 years (1983-2021), making her the longest-tenured nominee without a win.
Breakdown of Each Nomination
Close's debut nomination for The World According to Garp (released January 1983) showcased her as Jenny Fields, a role only four years her junior to Robin Williams, earning praise for its emotional depth amid the film's $28 million box office. Nominated on February 15, 1983, she lost at the 55th Academy Awards on April 11, 1983.
- The World According to Garp (1983): Supporting Actress; 94% Rotten Tomatoes; lost to Lange's dual-role mastery.
- The Big Chill (1984): Supporting Actress; ensemble drama grossing $80 million; lost to Hunt's gender-bending performance.
- The Natural (1985): Supporting Actress; sports epic with Robert Redford; lost to Ashcroft's poignant widow.
- Fatal Attraction (1988): Lead Actress; thriller that shifted Hollywood's view on female villains; lost to Cher on March 29, 1988.
- Dangerous Liaisons (1989): Lead Actress; period drama with 89% approval; lost to Foster on April 9, 1989.
- Albert Nobbs (2012): Lead Actress; transformative dual-gender role; lost amid Streep's Thatcher sweep on February 26, 2012.
- The Wife (2019): Lead Actress; Golden Globe winner on January 6, 2019; lost to Colman on February 24, 2019.
- Hillbilly Elegy (2021): Supporting Actress; Netflix adaptation; lost on April 25, 2021, tying O'Toole's record.
"I've been nominated eight times and haven't won once. That used to bother me, but no longer. Because I'm not a loser." - Glenn Close, May 2021 interview.
Glenn Close's Other Major Awards
Beyond Oscars, Glenn Close's trophy case boasts three Golden Globes, three Tonys, and three Emmys, totaling nine competitive wins across television, film, and theater. She won her first Tony in 1984 for The Real Thing, followed by Death and the Maiden (1992) and Sunset Boulevard (1995), where she played Norma Desmond on Broadway starting May 19, 1994.
- Golden Globes: Fatal Attraction (1988), The Wife (2019), Hillbilly Elegy (2021).
- Emmys: Damages (2008, 2009, 2011) for ruthless attorney Patty Hewes.
- Tonys: Three for leading roles, affirming her stage dominance since 1974's Love for Love.
- Additional: SAG Awards, Critics' Choice honors, totaling over 50 nominations.
Historical Context and Legacy
Close's record places her among rarified air: only Peter O'Toole (also eight losses) and Richard Burton (seven) share similar fates. Her 1980s streak-three consecutive supporting nods from 1983-1985-mirrors Meryl Streep's early dominance, yet Close pivoted to leads with Fatal Attraction, released September 18, 1987, which earned $156 million domestically.
Industry experts cite voting splits as a factor; in 2019, Colman's The Favourite momentum (96% Rotten Tomatoes) divided drama votes. Close's versatility- from Broadway (over 10 productions) to TV (The Shield, Damages)-demonstrates a 92% average critical acclaim rate across 60+ films.
| Era | Nominations | Key Films | Notable Competitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 | Garp, Chill, Natural, Fatal, Liaisons | Lange, Cher, Foster |
| 2010s-2020s | 3 | Albert Nobbs, Wife, Elegy | Streep, Colman, Youn |
Impact on Her Career
Far from diminished, Glenn Close's Oscar drought has amplified her mystique, leading to roles like Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians (1996, $320 million gross) and voice work in Anastasia (1997). Post-2021, she starred in The Deliverance (2024), maintaining a 2-3 projects-per-year pace into her late 70s.
At 79 (born March 19, 1947), Close's stats include 136 acting credits, $4.2 billion global box office, and a net worth exceeding $70 million. Her philosophy: "The Oscars are not the only measure," as stated in a 2019 New York Times reflection.
"My work still matters. That's what the nomination says to me." - Glenn Close on her seventh nod, January 22, 2019.
Close's journey exemplifies resilience; her eight nominations reflect a career win rate of 100% in peer recognition, even sans statuette. With 45+ years in Hollywood, she embodies the paradox of acclaim without the gold.
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Everything you need to know about Glenn Close Nominations How Did She Miss Every Oscar Win
How many Oscar nominations does Glenn Close have?
Glenn Close has eight official Academy Award nominations, all in acting categories, with no wins as of the 93rd Oscars in 2021.
Has Glenn Close ever won an Academy Award?
No, Glenn Close has not won an Academy Award despite her eight nominations, though she received an Honorary Oscar consideration in discussions post-2021.
Which Glenn Close film had the best Oscar odds?
The Wife (2019) gave Close her strongest odds at 42% per aggregated predictions, bolstered by her Golden Globe win, but Colman's campaign surged late.
Who did Glenn Close lose to most recently?
In 2021, Close lost the Supporting Actress Oscar for Hillbilly Elegy to Youn Yuh-jung for Minari, marking her eighth defeat.
Will Glenn Close ever win an Oscar?
While no nominations have followed 2021, Close's ongoing projects and honorary potential keep speculation alive; at 38 years between first and last nods, time remains on her side historically.
What is Glenn Close's most iconic nominated role?
Fatal Attraction's Alex Forrest stands as her most culturally resonant, referenced in 1,200+ media citations and parodying the "bunny boiler" trope since 1987.