Special Report

Most Popular Oscar Winners of All Time

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There have always been celebrities who have avoided the Academy Awards for one reason or another. Reclusive director Terrence Malick has never attended, despite multiple nominations. Actor Marlon Brando also famously refused to appear to accept his award for best actor in “The Godfather,” sending actress Sacheen Littlefeather in his place to read a speech protesting the movie industry’s treatment and depiction of Native Americans.

Despite these special cases, one will be hard pressed to find an event that brings more entertainers together in one place. The 91st Academy Awards, scheduled for Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, will be no exception. From the red carpet to the awards ceremony itself, viewers will get see nearly all of Hollywood’s top brass.

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 their internet popularity and appeal of their work to determine the winners who are the most popular among fans today.

Among the most popular Oscar winners are actors both young and old, as well as a number of directors. While fans and industry insiders frequently debate the merits of many Academy Award recipients, those featured here are the most popular — and therefore, at least in that respect, deserving of the distinction. These are the people we tune in to see.

Click here to see the most popular Oscar winners of all time.
Click here to read our methodology.

Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

50. Jane Fonda
> Acting credits: 57
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,443,681
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actress in a Leading Role (1972) – “Klute”

Best Actress in a Leading Role (1979) – “Coming Home”

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Jason Kempin / Getty Images

49. Jamie Foxx
> Acting credits: 71
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,162,955
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (2005) – “Ray”

Jemal Countess / Getty Images

48. Jennifer Connelly
> Acting credits: 53
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 4,953,604
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Supporting Role (2002) – “A Beautiful Mind”

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

47. Julianne Moore
> Acting credits: 93
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 3,709,898
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2015) – “Still Alice”

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lev radin / Shutterstock.com

46. Michael Douglas
> Acting credits: 60
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,536,449
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1988) – “Wall Street”

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

45. Brie Larson
> Acting credits: 59
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,473,248
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2016) – “Room”

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Hulton Archive / Getty Images

44. Audrey Hepburn
> Acting credits: 34
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,824,811
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role (1954) – “Roman Holiday”

Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images

43. Ron Howard
> Directing credits: 43
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,527,140
> Oscars won: 1

Best Director (2002) – “A Beautiful Mind”

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

42. Rachel Weisz
> Acting credits: 56
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,341,204
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (2006) -“ “The Constant Gardener”

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Kevin Winter / Getty Images

41. Mel Gibson
> Directing credits: 9
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,558,236
> Oscars won: 1

Best Director (1996) -“ “Braveheart”

Joe Maher / Getty Images

40. Jodie Foster
> Acting credits: 80
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,367,178
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actress in a Leading Role (1989) – “The Accused”

Best Actress in a Leading Role (1992) – “The Silence of the Lambs”

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Ethan Miller / Getty Images

39. James Cameron
> Directing credits: 24
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 4,516,688
> Oscars won: 1

Best Director (1998) -“ “Titanic”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

38. Peter Jackson
> Directing credits: 21
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 1,991,606
> Oscars won: 1

Best Director (2004) -“ “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”

Reg Burkett / Getty Images

37. Marlon Brando
> Acting credits: 46
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,827,338
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1955) – “On the Waterfront”

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1973) – “The Godfather”

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Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

36. Gwyneth Paltrow
> Acting credits: 56
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,832,491
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role (1999) – “Shakespeare in Love”

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

35. Anthony Hopkins
> Acting credits: 134
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 4,589,079
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1992) -“ “The Silence of the Lambs”

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Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

34. Russell Crowe
> Acting credits: 58
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 3,692,477
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role (2001) – “Gladiator”

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

33. Alicia Vikander
> Acting credits: 40
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,134,116
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (2016) – “The Danish Girl”

Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images

32. Cher
> Acting credits: 63
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,326,975
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role (1988) – “Moonstruck”

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Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

31. Reese Witherspoon
> Acting credits: 59
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,685,262
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2006) -“ “Walk the Line”

John Phillips / Getty Images

30. Kate Winslet
> Acting credits: 60
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,271,685
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2009) – “The Reader”

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Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

29. Sean Connery
> Acting credits: 93
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,504,190
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1988) – “The Untouchables”

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

28. Gary Oldman
> Acting credits: 98
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,137,755
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (2018) -“ “Darkest Hour”

Ian Gavan / Getty Images

27. Cate Blanchett
> Acting credits: 71
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,108,403
> Oscars won: 2

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (2005) – “The Aviator”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2014) – “Blue Jasmine”

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Kevin Winter / Getty Images

26. Jack Nicholson
> Acting credits: 77
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,937,984
> Oscars won: 3

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1976) – “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1984) – “Terms of Endearment”

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1998) -“ “As Good as It Gets”

Neilson Barnard / Getty Images

25. Martin Scorsese
> Directing credits: 62
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 3,910,334
> Oscars won: 1

Best Achievement in Directing (2007) – “The Departed”

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Jason Merritt / Getty Images

24. Anne Hathaway
> Acting credits: 47
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,858,988
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (2013) – “Les Misérables”

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

23. Meryl Streep
> Acting credits: 84
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,273,080
> Oscars won: 3

Best Actress in a Supporting Role (1980) – “Kramer vs. Kramer”

Best Actress in a Leading Role (1983) -“ “Sophie’s Choice”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2012) – “The Iron Lady”

Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images

22. Julia Roberts
> Acting credits: 62
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,986,014
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role (2001) – “Erin Brockovich”

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Mike Coppola / Getty Images

21. Matthew McConaughey
> Acting credits: 68
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,258,195
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (2014) – “Dallas Buyers Club”

Sascha Steinbach / Getty Images

20. Nicolas Cage
> Acting credits: 97
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,898,548
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1996) – “Leaving Las Vegas”

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Jason Merritt / Getty Images

19. Denzel Washington
> Acting credits: 56
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,542,497
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1990) -“ “Glory”

Best Actor in a Leading Role (2002) – “Training Day”

Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

18. Nicole Kidman
> Acting credits: 84
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,249,428
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role (2003) – “The Hours”

Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

17. Sandra Bullock
> Acting credits: 57
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,229,585
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2010) – “The Blind Side”

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Andreas Rentz / Getty Images

16. Charlize Theron
> Acting credits: 59
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,106,661
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Leading Role (2004) – “Monster”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

15. Robin Williams
> Acting credits: 108
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,009,977
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1998) – “Good Will Hunting”

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Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

14. Al Pacino
> Acting credits: 61
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 6,929,098
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1993) – “Scent of a Woman”

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

13. Emma Stone
> Acting credits: 43
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,683,825
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2017) – “La La Land”

Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

12. George Clooney
> Acting credits: 89
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 8,214,857
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2006) – “Syriana”

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Carlo Allegri / Getty Images

11. Heath Ledger
> Acting credits: 23
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,570,787
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2009) -“ “The Dark Knight”

Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

10. Angelina Jolie
> Acting credits: 54
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 10,593,908
> Oscars won: 1

Best Actress in a Supporting Role (2000) – “Girl, Interrupted”

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Jason Merritt / Getty Images

9. Christian Bale
> Acting credits: 52
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 5,752,453
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2011) – “The Fighter”

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

8. Jennifer Lawrence
> Acting credits: 31
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 11,888,973
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2013) – “Silver Linings Playbook”

Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images

7. Natalie Portman
> Acting credits: 62
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,663,029
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (2011) – “Black Swan”

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Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images

6. Clint Eastwood
> Directing credits: 40
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 13,097,572
> Oscars won: 2

Best Director (1993) – “Unforgiven”

Best Achievement in Directing (2005) -“ “Million Dollar Baby”

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

5. Morgan Freeman
> Acting credits: 123
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,759,016
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (2005) – “Million Dollar Baby”

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Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

4. Robert De Niro
> Acting credits: 116
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,931,887
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (1975) – “The Godfather: Part II”

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1981) -“ “Raging Bull”

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

3. Steven Spielberg
> Directing credits: 58
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 7,059,132
> Oscars won: 2

Best Director (1994) -“ “Schindler’s List”

Best Director (1999) – “Saving Private Ryan”

Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images

2. Tom Hanks
> Acting credits: 89
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 9,636,998
> Oscars won: 2

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1994) -“ “Philadelphia”

Best Actor in a Leading Role (1995) – “Forrest Gump”

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Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

1. Leonardo DiCaprio
> Acting credits: 42
> Wikipedia views (2 yr.): 12,895,562
> Oscars won: 1

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (2016) – “The Revenant”

Methodology:
To identify the most popular Oscar winners of all time, 24/7 Wall St. created an index based on two metrics of appeal: the popularity of the films and television shows each winner has appeared in or directed and the popularity of the winner’s Wikipedia page based on pageviews over the past two years.

The number of user votes a film or television episode received on the Internet Movie Database was used as a proxy for a given winner’s popularity. A winner’s total popularity was determined by the sum of the votes the winner received for all the films and television episodes for which he or she is credited as being in a top-billed role or as director. Winners were only given credit for episodes of television series in which they appeared or they directed. IMDb vote counts for winners in starring roles were given equal weight in the index to Wikipedia pageviews. Wikipedia pageviews were collected for the two years ending Jan. 10, 2019. All Oscar data is from IMDb.com.

 

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