14 Most Oscar-Nominated People in Academy History
The 2017 Oscar nominations have finally arrived, so now is the perfect time to look back at Academy Awards past and answer the question: Who's been nominated for the most Oscars?
14. Rick Baker: 11 Nominations, 7 Wins
The groundbreaking special-effects makeup artist is known for his creature creations, including the many aliens of "Star Wars" and his Oscar-winning work in "The Wolfman," "Men in Black," and "An American Werewolf in London."
13. Martin Scorsese: 12 Nominations, 1 Win
One of the most acclaimed directors in history has racked up 12 nominations for directing and producing such touchstone movies as "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas." Marty finally won Best Director for "The Departed" in 2007, an accolade that was long, long overdue. He's also directed actors to 22 Oscar nominations, with 5 wins.
12. William Wyler: 12 Nominations, 3 Wins
Wyler holds the record for most Best Director nominations in Academy history, winning for "Ben Hur," "The Best Years of Our Lives," and "Mrs. Miniver." When we calculated the number of nominations he scored for his actors, he set the record there as well, with 35 actor nominations and 13 wins.
11. Jack Nicholson: 12 Nominations, 3 Wins
Jack set the record for most nominated-actor with his 12th nomination for "About Schmidt" (2002). He took home the Oscar for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Terms of Endearment," and "As Good as It Gets." Among the films he's been nominated for: "Prizzi's Honor," "A Few Good Men," "Chinatown," and "Easy Rider."
10. Steven Spielberg: 16 Nominations, 3 Wins
Spielberg's 2016 Best Picture nomination for "Bridge of Spies" marked his ninth producing nod, topping the producing nomination record. He's been nominated for director eight times overall, winning for "Schindler's List" in 1993 and "Saving Private Ryan" in 1998. He also picked up an Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in 1997 for creative producing.
9. Meryl Streep: 20 Nominations, 3 Wins
Meryl keeps setting the bar higher for acting accolades. Before her, Katharine Hepburn held the record for most nominated actress with 12 nominations but Kate still holds the record for most wins with 4 Oscars. Streep scored her 20th nomination this year with "Florence Foster Jenkins."
8. Kevin O'Connell: 20 Nominations, 0 Wins
The sound mixer has set an odd Oscar record of the most nominations with no wins. Among his nominations are work on "Terms of Endearment," "Top Gun," "A Few Good Men," "The Rock," "Armageddon," and "Transformers."
7. Billy Wilder: 21 Nominations, 6 Wins
The director of such classics as "Some Like It Hot," "Sunset Blvd.," "The Apartment," and "Double Indemnity," he received 8 nominations for Best Director, 12 for writing and one as the producer of Best Picture. He ties with Martin Scorsese for being the most-nominated director in Academy history and lags only behind Woody Allen as the most-nominated screenwriter.
6. Woody Allen: 24 Nominations, 4 Wins
The actor/writer/director only attended the Oscar ceremony once (in an emotional post-911 tribute to New York City), but that hasn't stopped the Academy from lavishing love on his work. He's been nominated most often in the screenplay category, but has also received nominations for his directing and acting, not to mention directing actors to 15 nominations of their own.
5. Sammy Cahn: 26 Nominations, 4 Wins
The celebrated lyricist wrote many songs immortalized by Frank Sinatra, including "My Kind of Town," "Come Fly With Me," and "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," as well as the Oscar winners "All the Way," "High Hopes," and "Three Coins in the Fountain."
4. Edith Head: 35 Nominations, 8 Wins
The famous costume designer dominated the Best Costume Design category since it was first created in 1948. Among her 8 wins are "The Sting," "A Place in the Sun," and "All About Eve." She worked often with Alfred Hitchcock, creating a standard of elegance for stars like Grace Kelly.
3. Alfred Newman: 45 Nominations, 9 Wins
The composer was so prolific, he was often competing against himself at awards time. In 1939, he was nominated for four films including "Wuthering Heights" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Between 1938 and 1957, he was nominated for at least one Oscar every year.
2. John Williams: 50 Nominations, 5 Wins
John Williams -- the creator of such iconic scores as "Star Wars," "Jaws," and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" -- is the most nominated composer of all time, surpassing previous record-holder Alfred Newman in 2011. Three of his five wins are for Steven Spielberg films: "Schindler's List," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," and "Jaws."
1. Walt Disney: 59 Nominations, 22 Wins
The legendary animator and Hollywood mogul has received the most awards and nominations of any individual in Academy history. He won four awards in just one year (1954)! He was also given four honorary Oscars, including one for the creation of Mickey Mouse.
