The Oscars are the highest honor in the world of cinema, and winning even one is a career-defining achievement. But a select few actors have managed to win multiple Academy Awards for their performances.
While some actors spend their entire careers chasing that golden statue, others have delivered performance after performance that have captured the attention of the Academy time and again. These repeat winners represent the pinnacle of cinematic excellence, earning recognition not just once but multiple times across different eras, genres, and roles.
In this guide, we break down the top 10 actors with the most Oscar wins, highlighting their most celebrated roles and performances. We also spotlight a few rising stars who might just join this list in the future.
Who Is The Actor With Most Oscar Wins?
Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most Oscar wins in acting, with four Academy Awards for Best Actress. She won for Morning Glory, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter, and On Golden Pond, showcasing her remarkable talent across five decades of cinema.
If we talk about the most Oscars wins in 2025, Anora won 5 Oscars in different categories.
Top 10 Actors With Most Oscars: In a Nutshell
Here’s a quick overview of the top Oscar-winning actors:
| Actor | Oscars Won | Category | Most Iconic Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katharine Hepburn | 4 | Best Actress | The Lion in Winter |
| Meryl Streep | 3 | Actress/Supporting | Sophie’s Choice |
| Jack Nicholson | 3 | Actor/Supporting | One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest |
| Ingrid Bergman | 3 | Actress/Supporting | Gaslight |
| Daniel Day-Lewis | 3 | Best Actor | There Will Be Blood |
| Frances McDormand | 3 | Best Actress | Nomadland |
| Walter Brennan | 3 | Best Supporting | Come and Get It |
| Bette Davis | 2 | Best Actress | Jezebel |
| Tom Hanks | 2 | Best Actor | Forrest Gump |
| Denzel Washington | 2 | Actor/Supporting | Training Day |
Now that you’ve seen the snapshot, let’s dive into the full stories behind each Oscar-winning icon:
1. Katharine Hepburn
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1928–1994 | The Lion in Winter, On Golden Pond, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Morning Glory |
Hepburn won in 1933 for Morning Glory, 1967 for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, 1968 for The Lion in Winter, and 1981 for On Golden Pond. Known for her strong-willed and independent roles, Hepburn brought elegance and intelligence to the screen. She holds the record for the most Best Actress Oscars in history. Notable nominated performances include The African Queen and Long Day’s Journey Into Night.
2. Meryl Streep
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1977–present | Sophie’s Choice, The Iron Lady, Kramer vs. Kramer, Doubt, The Devil Wears Prada |
Meryl Streep took home Oscars in 1980 for Kramer vs. Kramer, 1983 for Sophie’s Choice, and 2012 for The Iron Lady. Her ability to completely transform into any character has made her one of the most respected actresses of all time. She has received 21 Oscar nominations in total, with standout roles in Doubt, The Devil Wears Prada, and August: Osage County.
3. Jack Nicholson
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1958–2010 (semi-retired) | One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Terms of Endearment, As Good as It Gets, Chinatown |
Nicholson won 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). His iconic grin and rebellious charisma have made him a Hollywood legend. He was also nominated for Chinatown, A Few Good Men, and About Schmidt.
4. Daniel Day-Lewis
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1982–2017 (retired) | There Will Be Blood, Lincoln, My Left Foot, Gangs of New York |
Day-Lewis earned Best Actor Oscars for My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012). Known for his immersive method acting, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Other critically acclaimed performances include Gangs of New York and Phantom Thread.
5. Ingrid Bergman
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1935–1982 | Gaslight, Anastasia, Murder on the Orient Express, Casablanca |
Bergman received two Best Actress Oscars for Gaslight (1944) and Anastasia (1956), and one Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Murder on the Orient Express (1974). Her luminous presence and emotional depth defined classic Hollywood. She was also nominated for Casablanca and Autumn Sonata.
6. Walter Brennan
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1925–1972 | Come and Get It, Kentucky, The Westerner, Sergeant York |
Brennan won Best Supporting Actor for Come and Get It (1936), Kentucky (1938), and The Westerner (1940). Known for his distinctive voice and folksy demeanor, he was a beloved character actor in Westerns and dramas. His performance in Sergeant York was also praised.
7. Frances McDormand
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 3 (4 including Best Picture – For Producer) | 1984–present | Fargo, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Nomadland |
McDormand won Best Actress for Fargo (1996), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), and Nomadland (2020). Her roles often depict resilient, complex women navigating moral ambiguity. McDormand is also a producer and earned a fourth Oscar for Nomadland as Best Picture producer.
8. Bette Davis
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1930–1989 | Jezebel, Dangerous, All About Eve, Now, Voyager |
Davis won Best Actress for Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938). A trailblazer in challenging, often unlikable roles, Davis redefined female stardom in Hollywood. She was nominated ten times, with other major roles including All About Eve, Now, Voyager, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
9. Tom Hanks
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1980–present | Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away |
Hanks earned back-to-back Best Actor wins for Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994). Known for his everyman charm and emotional range, he’s starred in some of cinema’s most beloved films. He was also nominated for Saving Private Ryan and Cast Away.
10. Denzel Washington
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1977–present | Training Day, Glory, Fences, Malcolm X |
Washington won Best Supporting Actor for Glory (1989) and Best Actor for Training Day (2001). A commanding screen presence, he excels in roles of moral conflict and leadership. Other notable nominations include Fences, Malcolm X, and The Hurricane.
Rising Talents to Watch: Actors Who Could Join the Ranks
The next generation of Oscar contenders is already making waves with critically acclaimed performances and consistent choices of challenging, prestigious roles. Keep an eye on these rising stars who may soon join the elite group of multiple Oscar winners.
Emma Stone
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2004–present | La La Land, Poor Things, The Favourite, Birdman |
Stone won Best Actress for La La Land (2016) and Poor Things (2023). Known for her versatile performances, she blends charm and emotional depth, consistently delivering award-worthy roles across genres.
Saoirse Ronan
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2003–present | Lady Bird, Brooklyn, Little Women, Atonement |
With four nominations already—including for Brooklyn, Lady Bird, and Little Women—Ronan has built a strong track record of nuanced, dramatic roles. Her career is widely considered poised for an Oscar breakthrough.
Timothée Chalamet
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2012–present | Call Me by Your Name, Dune, A Complete Unknown, Beautiful Boy |
Chalamet earned his first nomination for Call Me by Your Name (2017) and was nominated again for A Complete Unknown (2025). His intense, thoughtful performances and bold role choices mark him as a future awards season frontrunner.
Florence Pugh
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2014–present | Little Women, Midsommar, Don’t Worry Darling, Oppenheimer |
Pugh received her first nomination for Little Women (2019). Her compelling and fearless portrayals in dramas and psychological thrillers have made her one of the most talked-about young actresses today. She was also a part of one of the best Oscar movies, “Oppenheimer,” that I am going to discuss in the next section.
Cillian Murphy
| Total Wins | Active Years | Notable Films |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996–present | Oppenheimer, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Inception |
Murphy won Best Actor for Oppenheimer (2023). Acclaimed for his intense screen presence and growing body of work, his Oscar win and iconic role in Peaky Blinders cement him as a compelling talent. Movies like Oppenheimer come once in a while and deserve a thoughtful discussion about their impact on cinema and history.
Conclusion
Winning an Oscar cements an actor’s legacy in cinematic history, but winning multiple Oscars puts them in an elite category few ever reach. From legends like Katharine Hepburn to modern icons like Daniel Day-Lewis, these actors have delivered unforgettable performances that continue to define the art of acting. As new talent rises, the future of Oscar history remains as exciting as ever.
FAQs
Yes, actors like Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight) have received Oscars after their deaths.
Yes, it’s possible if nominated in different categories, though it’s extremely rare.
Tatum O’Neal won Best Supporting Actress at age 10 for Paper Moon (1973).
Yes, Marlon Brando refused his Oscar in 1973 for The Godfather as a political protest.
Often yes. An Oscar can boost credibility, raise pay, and lead to better roles.
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