AceShowbiz - The Academy Awards are often viewed as the ultimate recognition in the film industry, yet many Hollywood stars have expressed indifference toward winning an Oscar. From legendary icons to contemporary actors, a number of performers have openly dismissed the significance of the statuette.

One of the most notable examples is Katharine Hepburn, who holds the record for the most acting Oscars, with four Best Actress trophies. Despite this remarkable achievement, Hepburn never personally attended the ceremony to accept her awards. Her sole Oscar stage appearance occurred in 1974 when she presented the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. Hepburn famously stated, "Prizes are nothing. My prize is my work."

While the film industry remains captivated by awards season, several prominent figures in recent years have voiced skepticism or frustration over the obsession with Oscars. Among them are stars like Amanda Seyfried, Bradley Cooper, Samuel L. Jackson, and Seth Rogen.

Following the announcement of the 2026 Oscar nominations, fans debated notable snubs and surprises, but some actors have made it clear they don’t let awards dictate their careers or sense of accomplishment.

Samuel L. Jackson, a revered actor known for his roles in blockbuster franchises such as The Avengers and Star Wars, has only been nominated once for a competitive Oscar. His 1995 nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Pulp Fiction did not result in a win, losing to Martin Landau for Ed Wood. Jackson has spoken frankly about his attitude toward awards, telling the Los Angeles Times in 2022 that after initially being disappointed, he grew indifferent to the accolades. For him, the Oscars represent a fun event, and he enjoys the tradition of receiving gift baskets when presenting. However, he no longer considers Oscar wins when selecting roles.

Jackson explained, "I'm not doing statue-chasing movies. You know: 'If you do this movie, you'll win an Oscar.' No, thanks. I'd rather be Nick Fury or having fun as Mace Windu with a lightsaber." His satisfaction lies in portraying memorable characters that resonate with audiences, regardless of awards. The Academy eventually honored him with an Honorary Oscar in 2021, recognizing his impact on film.

Comedian and actor Seth Rogen has received four Emmy Awards but remains without an Oscar nomination. In a 2022 interview with Business Insider, Rogen questioned the intense focus on awards within Hollywood, noting that other industries rarely expect widespread public interest in their internal accolades. He suggested that public enthusiasm for Oscars has waned over time, asking rhetorically why people should care so much about the winners.

Actor Ethan Hawke has earned five Oscar nominations as of March 2026, his latest for Best Actor at the 98th Academy Awards for Blue Moon. Hawke shared that he took advice from his Training Day co-star Denzel Washington, who advised that actors should aim to elevate the prestige of the award rather than seeking it to boost their own status. Hawke emphasized that the power of the Oscar comes from its cultural weight rather than personal validation.

Cate Blanchett, who has won two Oscars—Best Supporting Actress for The Aviator in 2005 and Best Actress for Blue Jasmine in 2013—has expressed that awards are subjective and not the reason she chooses her roles. In a discussion on Variety’s Actors on Actors podcast, she stated that awards do not influence her artistic decisions.

Similarly, Kristen Stewart, nominated for the first time in 2022 for her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer, opted not to campaign for the Oscar. Stewart remarked on Variety’s Award Circuit podcast that she does not equate success with awards and finds the Oscars to be an odd institution considering many outstanding films and performances go unnoticed.

Joaquin Phoenix has also been vocal about his discomfort with awards season. Reflecting on the Oscar buzz around his 2012 film The Master, Phoenix expressed in Interview Magazine that he did not want to participate in any awards campaigning. He described his experience during the awards season for Walk the Line as one of the most uncomfortable times of his life and stated he never wished to endure it again.

The main subject of this discussion, Amanda Seyfried, provides a nuanced perspective on the Oscars. While she has been nominated once—for Best Supporting Actress in 2021 for Mank—she downplays the importance of winning. In an interview with The New Yorker in January 2026, she acknowledged that a nomination can boost an actor’s career but insisted that actually winning is not essential. Seyfried noted, "No. Do you remember who won in the past 10 years? It's not the win that's important. It's the nomination."

Though she admitted that winning could provide advantages, she does not view it as a necessity. Seyfried contrasted her critically acclaimed 2025 film The Testament of Ann Lee with the more commercial The Housemaid, emphasizing that she made thoughtful choices in both projects. She intends to continue pursuing a diverse range of roles across genres and production scales, confident in her career trajectory even without an Oscar.

Bradley Cooper is another highly nominated actor and filmmaker who has yet to win an Oscar, with 12 nominations as of January 2026. He candidly described awards season as “utterly meaningless” during a 2020 conversation with Anthony Ramos for Interview Magazine. Cooper characterized the awards process as a challenging ordeal disconnected from the creative work he values.

These candid perspectives from stars like Amanda Seyfried, Samuel L. Jackson, Seth Rogen, and Bradley Cooper highlight a growing sentiment in Hollywood: while Oscars remain a prestigious institution, many actors prioritize the artistry of their craft over the accolades that may or may not come with it. For some, the work itself is the true reward, and the spectacle of awards season is seen as secondary or even distracting.

This evolving attitude underscores a broader shift in how success is defined in the film industry, with many performers choosing to focus on meaningful roles and personal fulfillment rather than the pursuit of trophies. As the 98th Academy Awards approach, it will be interesting to see how this mindset continues to influence Hollywood’s relationship with its most famous prize.