Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Jim Carrey

The over-caffeinated funnyman really can act his ass off, as he proved in the ahead-of-its-time satire 'The Truman Show,' as comic Andy Kaufman in 'Man on the Moon' and in the universally lauded 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.' Yet Carrey was snubbed for each, and as a result, appears to have gone completely insane. See his latest interview for proof.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Meg Ryan

Thrice Golden-Globe-nominated for romantic comedies, Ryan never received props for her fine dramatic work as a heroic soldier in 'Courage Under Fire' or as an alcoholic mom in 'When a Man Loves a Woman.' Perhaps if she had, she wouldn't have delivered such an emotionally and, yes, physically naked turn in 'In the Cut.' You decide if that's a good thing.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Richard Gere

Sure, he's done some drippy romances, but it's still surprising that the Academy's never looked his way -- not for 'American Gigolo,' not for 'An Officer and a Gentleman,' not even for 'Chicago' (which won him a Golden Globe). On the other hand, he's been named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive not once, but twice. Eat your heart out, De Niro.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Sandra Bullock

We know, who gets nominated for 'Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous'? But pay close attention to Bullock's recent career choices: She was almost unfathomably good in the Oscar stunner 'Crash,' even if the accolades went Matt Dillon's way. Then she impressed again going the unglam route in the underseen Capote redux 'Infamous.' Bring it on, Bullock!

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Steve Martin

Historically, Oscar doesn't look favorably upon comedy, so -- despite five Golden Globe nominations -- the guy who gave us one of the funniest performances ever in 'The Jerk' has a big fat goose egg in the Oscar nod column. Academy voters, wake up and smell the genius -- or at least hook a brother up for his buzzed-about foray into drama ('Shopgirl').

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Kevin Bacon

No, 'Footloose,' 'Tremors' and 'The Hollow Man' don't scream Oscar, but Bacon's sizzled as an underrated character actor in biggies like 'JFK,' 'A Few Good Men' and 'Apollo 13.' Still, we could forgive the Academy overlooking his small roles, but to not recognize his brave, nuanced turn as a pedophile in '04's 'The Woodsman' is just ... criminal.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Jeff Daniels

For those of us who loved 'Squid and the Whale,' we're still reeling that Daniels wasn't recognized for a terrific performance that earned him his third Globe nomination (after 'Purple Rose of Cairo' and 'Something Wild'). Could it be the Academy won't forgive him for 'Dumb & Dumber'? Geez, you film one explosive diarrhea scene ...

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Bruce Willis

In our humble opinion, it's ludicrous that Willis didn't get a nod for 'Die Hard,' not to mention his Golden-Globe-nominated turn in 'In Country' and his underrated work in 'Sixth Sense.' But rest assured -- it's not like John McClane gives a crap about awards, anyway.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Martin Sheen

Sheen deserved a nom for his very first big-screen role, in 1973's 'Badlands'; perhaps he didn't get it because he was known as a "TV actor" then. But there was just no possible excuse for his being passed over for a scorching performance in the 1979 war epic 'Apocalypse Now.' What were those Academy members smoking?

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Scarlett Johansson

After earning two Golden Globe nominations in 2003 for 'Lost in Translation' and 'Girl With a Pearl Earring,' Johansson was a virtual lock for Oscar contention. But she got served by the likes of Diane Keaton and Keisha Castle-Hughes. No matter though: The ubiquitous actress will likely star in another 45 movies over the next decade, so the odds are in her favor.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Matthew Broderick

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss the fact that the former Ferris has been quietly great (and all grown up) in movies like 'Glory,' 'Election' and 'You Can Count on Me.' He's got two Tony awards, so when will Oscar wise up and realize that Broderick's the real deal? Anyone? Anyone?

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Jeffrey Wright

Not quite a household name, Wright is still one of the most exciting actors in the biz. He's got a chameleon's ability to conceal himself in multiethnic roles in films like 'Broken Flowers', 'The Manchurian Candidate' and 'Shaft.' But his best chance for Oscar glory, for a stout turn in 'Syriana,' was overshadowed by eventual winner George Clooney.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Maria Bello

She deservedly snagged Golden Globe nominations for playing Viggo Mortensen's deceived wife in 'A History of Violence' and for playing with William H. Macy's junk in 'The Cooler' -- but Oscar has refused to show her any love. What does she have to do, go all 'Transamerica' and be that woman playing a man who wants to be a woman? You heard it here, Maria.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Donald Sutherland

Sutherland, you old dog. You've done 'M*A*S*H,' 'Klute,' 'The Day of the Locust,' 'Ordinary People,' all multiple-Oscar-nominated. And yet, for some reason, you've never made that exalted short list yourself. This sounds like a conspiracy worthy of Jack Bauer. Get him on it. We think you've got some pull there.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Ewan McGregor

It may be in his contract that he must drop trou in every film, but that's not why we're such devoted McGregor fans (really!). He's not afraid to portray lowlifes ('Trainspotting,' 'Young Adam'), the lovelorn ('Moulin Rouge!' ''Big Fish') or Obi-Wan Kenobi. We just wish the Academy would find it in them to give him an invite to their party.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

John Cusack

He was the dean of teen movies (marry us, Lloyd Dobler!) until he astonished everyone with his dark turn as a con artist in Stephen Frears' 'The Grifters.' After being snubbed again for 'Being John Malkovich,' it looked like his luck might change, with a heralded performance in 2007's touching 'Grace Is Gone.' Alas, it seems there is no 'Sure Thing' when it comes to the Oscars.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Isabella Rossellini

With her model-perfect looks, Rossellini didn't have to say a word to entrance us. But with her film-legend pedigree (Mom is Ingrid Bergman; Dad is director Roberto Rossellini), it's no surprise she wowed us on screen: Her performance in 1986's 'Blue Velvet' gave us chills. Oscar was, alas, indifferent.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Dennis Quaid

Quaid scored a Golden Globe nod and an Indie Spirit Award win for his portrayal of a closeted gay husband in 2002's 'Far From Heaven,' but the Academy didn't echo the kudos. As long as he keeps taking roles like 'In Good Company' (and not so much like 'Flight of the Phoenix'), we bet he'll end up in good (read: Oscar-nominated) company someday.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Steve Buscemi

When you need a lowlife, a loser, a guy who gets dumped into the wood chipper, who do you call? Buscemi, that's who. He's a brilliant actor, with a Globe nomination ('Ghost World') and two Indie Spirit Awards ('Ghost World,' 'Reservoir Dogs') to prove it. But will Oscar ever notice? As his 'Sopranos' character Tony Blundetto would say, <i>fuhgeddaboudit</i>.

Never Been Nominated: Oscar Outcasts

Maggie Gyllenhaal

The much-loved S&M dramedy 'Secretary' was not widely enough seen to garner Oscar consideration for Gyllenhaal's breakout role, but we really thought the actress was onto something as a promiscuous ex-junkie in 'Sherrybaby' (one of six Maggie movies in '06). The fact that her best performances also entail lots of sex and nudity is purely coincidental, we assure you.