The 12 best actresses and actors with multiple Oscars

The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, have long been a pinnacle of recognition in the film industry. From breathtaking performances to groundbreaking roles, actors and actresses vie for these coveted golden statuettes each year. This article highlights an illustrious group of performers who have achieved great success at the Oscars, winning two or more awards for their outstanding contributions to cinema. This year, Adrien Brody (“The Brutalist”) hopes to become a two-time winner. Here are the best who have won the most.

Katharine Hepburn – Four Best Actress Oscars

Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most Oscar wins by an actor, with four Best Actress awards for “Morning Glory” (1934), “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1968), “The Lion in Winter” (1969), and “On Golden Pond” (1982). She received 12 nominations over her career.

Daniel Day-Lewis – Three Best Actor Oscars

Daniel Day-Lewis holds the record for the most Best Actor Oscars with three wins for “My Left Foot” (1989), “There Will Be Blood” (2007), and “Lincoln” (2012). He is set to return to acting after a hiatus, potentially extending his record further.

Frances McDormand – Three Best Actress Oscars

Frances McDormand has won three Best Actress Oscars for “Fargo” (1996), “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017), and “Nomadland” (2020). She also won an Oscar as producer for Best Picture (again “Nomadland”) making her the first to win as producer and performer for the same film.

Ingrid Bergman – Three Oscars

Ingrid Bergman won three Oscars: Best Actress for “Gaslight” (1944) and “Anastasia” (1956), and Best Supporting Actress for “Murder on the Orient Express” (1975). Her iconic roles in “Casablanca” and “Notorious” remain highly acclaimed despite not earning her Oscars for those performances.

Jack Nicholson – Three Oscars

Jack Nicholson has won three Oscars: Best Actor for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) and “As Good as It Gets” (1997), and Best Supporting Actor for “Terms of Endearment” (1983). He holds the record as the most nominated male actor with 12 nominations.

Meryl Streep – Three Oscars

Meryl Streep has won three Oscars: Best Actress for “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1980) and “Sophie’s Choice” (1983), and Best Actress for “The Iron Lady” (2012). She holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations with 21, showcasing her enduring impact on cinema.

Denzel Washington – Two Oscars

Denzel Washington has won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor for “Glory” (1989) and Best Actor for “Training Day” (2001). He is renowned for his versatility and has received numerous nominations across multiple decades, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actors.

Marlon Brando – Two Best Actor Oscars

Marlon Brando won two Oscars for Best Actor, first for “On the Waterfront” (1954) and then for “The Godfather” (1972), though he declined the latter. He holds a record for four consecutive Best Actor nominations from 1951 to 1954.

Robert De Niro – Two Oscars (one Best Actor, one Best Supporting)

Robert De Niro has won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor for “The Godfather: Part II” (1974) and Best Actor for “Raging Bull” (1980). He has been nominated nine times and remains a highly acclaimed actor with numerous other awards and nominations throughout his career.

Cate Blanchett – Two Oscars (one Best Actress, one Best Supporting Actress)

Cate Blanchett has won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in “The Aviator” (2004) and Best Actress for “Blue Jasmine” (2013). She holds a unique record as the only actor to win an Oscar for playing another Oscar-winning actor.

Anthony Hopkins – Two Best Actor Oscars

Anthony Hopkins has won two Best Actor Oscars for his roles in “The Silence of the Lambs” (1992) and “The Father” (2021), becoming the oldest actor to win at 83. He has received six Oscar nominations throughout his career.

Emma Stone – Two Best Actor Oscars

Emma Stone has won two Oscars for Best Actress, first for “La La Land” in 2017 and again for “Poor Things” in 2024. Her performances showcase her versatility in both musicals and dark comedies, solidifying her status as a leading actress in Hollywood.

Christoph Waltz – Two Best Supporting Actor Oscars

Christoph Waltz, an Austrian-German actor, has won two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor. His wins came for his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” (2010) and “Django Unchained” (2013), showcasing his versatility and talent in villainous and supporting roles.

Gene Hackman – Two Oscars (one Best Actor, one Best Supporting Actor)

Gene Hackman won Oscars for Best Actor in “The French Connection” (1971) and Best Supporting Actor in “Unforgiven” (1992). He is renowned for iconic roles in “Superman” and “Mississippi Burning”. Hackman’s career spans over six decades, earning him numerous awards beyond his Oscars. Hackman died recently at the age of 93.

Conclusion

These actors and actresses have left indelible marks on the film industry, with their Oscar wins serving as testaments to their exceptional talent and dedication to their craft. Their memorable performances continue to inspire audiences worldwide, enriching the cinematic landscape. As the Academy Awards evolve, these trailblazers and their remarkable achievements will undoubtedly continue to influence generations of performers to come.