Most Oscar Nominations? This Star Tops The List By A Mile
The actor with the most Academy Award nominations is Meryl Streep, who has led the field for years with 21 acting nominations and 3 wins. In the all-time acting race, she is the clear record-holder and the star most often cited when people ask who has the most Oscar nominations.
Why Streep leads
Meryl Streep built her record across four decades of Oscar attention, beginning with The Deer Hunter and continuing through The Post. Her nomination total far exceeds other major acting legends, including Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson, who are each listed at 12 nominations in the sources reviewed.
That gap matters because the Academy Award voting pool has changed over time, yet Streep's consistency has remained unmatched. As of March 2025, one current industry ranking still identified her as the most-nominated performer in Oscar history, with 21 nominations and 3 wins.
Top acting nominees
Here is a structured look at the best-known record holders in acting categories:
| Rank | Performer | Nominations | Wins | Notable note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meryl Streep | 21 | 3 | Most Oscar-nominated actor or actress overall |
| 2 | Katharine Hepburn | 12 | 4 | Often cited as the most decorated lead actress |
| 3 | Jack Nicholson | 12 | 3 | Most nominated male actor in the sources reviewed |
| 4 | Bette Davis | 11 | 2 | Classic-era Oscar powerhouse |
| 5 | Laurence Olivier | 10 | 1 | Historic benchmark for male actors |
What the record means
The phrase Oscar nominations can refer to all categories or only acting categories, and that distinction is important. In the broader Academy Awards record book, non-actors such as Walt Disney have collected far more nominations overall, but among performers, Streep is the standout answer to the user's question.
This is why headlines often say she "tops the list by a mile." Her 21 nominations place her well ahead of the next cluster of acting legends, and her recognition spans multiple eras, genres, and award seasons.
"Meryl Streep has an unprecedented run with the Oscars."
How the record was built
- Streep earned early attention with The Deer Hunter, establishing her as an awards contender.
- She converted that momentum into repeated nominations in both lead and supporting categories.
- Her range across drama, comedy, and biographical roles kept her in awards conversations for decades.
- Major titles such as Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie's Choice, and The Iron Lady became Oscar milestones.
- Later career nominations, including The Devil Wears Prada and The Post, extended the record well into the 21st century.
Acting category context
Among actresses, Katharine Hepburn remains the classic benchmark for wins, while Streep holds the nomination crown. Among actors, Jack Nicholson is one of the closest male comparators in total nominations, but he still trails Streep by a wide margin.
Another useful distinction is that the "most nominated" title is not the same as "most wins." Hepburn won four acting Oscars, while Streep has three, but Streep's record is about sustained recognition, not just trophy count.
- Most nominations overall among actors or actresses: Meryl Streep.
- Most wins among lead actresses: Katharine Hepburn.
- Most nominated male actor: Jack Nicholson, based on the reviewed sources.
- Most nominations without a win: Glenn Close is frequently cited in that category.
Frequently asked questions
Bottom line
The direct answer is Meryl Streep, and she is not just leading by a little - she is in a category of her own. If the question is about actors and actresses specifically, her 21 nominations make her the most Oscar-nominated performer ever.
Expert answers to What Actor Or Actress Has The Most Academy Award Nominations queries
Who has the most Academy Award nominations?
Meryl Streep has the most Academy Award nominations among actors and actresses, with 21 acting nominations in the sources reviewed.
Who has the most Oscar nominations overall?
That depends on whether you mean all categories or acting only; across the full Academy Awards, non-actors such as Walt Disney have more nominations than any performer.
Who is the most nominated male actor?
Jack Nicholson is one of the top male acting nominees, with 12 nominations in the reviewed sources.
Who has the most Oscar wins among actresses?
Katharine Hepburn is widely recognized as the most awarded actress in Oscar history, with four wins.
Does Meryl Streep also have the most wins?
No, Streep has the most nominations among performers, but not the most wins; her strength is the sheer length and consistency of her awards run.