Since the first Oscar ceremony in 1929, the Best Actor category has been the stage for memorable performances, historic achievements and controversial moments that have marked world cinema.
In this article, we will explore the history of this iconic award, highlighting record holders such as Daniel Day-Lewis, the only actor to win three times, and Adrien Brody, the youngest person to win the statuette.
In addition, we will cover the victories that generated controversy and the current trends that influence the choice of winners, offering a complete overview for those passionate about the seventh art.
The History of the Best Actor Oscar Category
The Academy Award for Best Actor was created at the first Academy Awards ceremony, held in 1929, when Emil Jannings was the first winner for his performances in The Last Stand and The Way of All Flesh .
In the early years, the award was given considering the actor’s work in several films from the same period, but from the 4th ceremony, in 1931, it began to award a specific performance in a single film, a system that remains to this day.
Starting with the 9th ceremony in 1937, the number of nominees was officially limited to five, cementing the current format of the awards. Since then, the category has become one of the most anticipated moments of the ceremony, celebrating performances that have marked the history of cinema.
Evolution of the Oscar for Best Actor since its creation
As we mentioned, in the early years, the award considered the actor’s performances across several films of the period, which caused some confusion in the nomination process.
In 1931, the Academy adopted the current system, awarding a specific performance in a single film, which made the evaluation clearer and more objective. The Best Supporting Actor category was introduced at the 9th Academy Awards ceremony, held in 1937. The introduction of Best Supporting Actor was an addition to recognize supporting performances, without changing the main category of Best Actor.
Over the decades, the award has accompanied the transformations of the film industry and cultural changes, recognizing performances that marked different eras and styles.
In addition to technical and artistic criteria, the Oscar for Best Actor began to reflect social debates and cultural trends, such as the inclusion of actors of different ethnicities and the appreciation of challenging and innovative roles.
Actors who won the Oscar for Best Actor
Since the category was created, 88 actors have been awarded the Oscar for Best Actor, consolidating it as one of the most prestigious awards in world cinema.
The biggest winner is Daniel Day-Lewis, who won three statuettes for his performances in My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007) and Lincoln (2012), a unique feat in the history of the category.
Several actors have won the award more than once, including Fredric March, Spencer Tracy, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hanks and Sean Penn, all with two wins each.
Anthony Hopkins, for example, won an Oscar for The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and, decades later, for The Father (2021), becoming the oldest actor to win the award, at 83 years old, surpassing Henry Fonda, who held the position for winning, at 76 years old, the Oscar for Best Actor for the film On Golden Pond (1982). On the other hand, Adrien Brody is the youngest actor to win the award, at 29 years old, for his performance in The Pianist (2003).
In addition to the record-breakers, the category has already been the scene of historic moments, such as Peter Finch’s posthumous victory for Network and Sidney Poitier’s achievement, the first African-American actor to win in the category for the film A Voice in the Shadows .
The list of winners also includes actors who, upon winning the Oscar, saw their careers take off, such as Eddie Redmayne and Joaquin Phoenix.
Most controversial Best Actor Oscar wins
The Best Actor category at the Oscars has been the scene of several victories that generated controversy and heated debates, marking the history of the awards.
One of the most iconic moments occurred in 1973, when Marlon Brando won for his iconic role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather . Although he was the overwhelming favorite, Brando declined the award in protest of the treatment of indigenous people in the entertainment industry, sending activist Sacheen Littlefeather to speak in his place, a move that provoked boos and intense public debate.
Another controversial win was Rami Malek’s in 2019 for Bohemian Rhapsody . Despite dominating awards season, his performance divided critics, with many questioning whether he truly deserved the award, highlighting how the Oscars can be influenced by factors beyond the performance itself, such as lobbying and voters’ personal preferences.
The Academy has also faced accusations of bias and resistance to controversial topics. A notable example was the defeat of Brokeback Mountain by Crash in 2006, amid allegations of homophobia among more conservative members of the Academy, which raised questions about the impartiality of the selection.
Cases of allegations and personal scandals also influenced results. In 1994, Gérard Depardieu, nominated for Cyrano de Bergerac , lost the award after allegations of sexual abuse emerged, which, even though denied, affected his image and may have also affected the vote.
These episodes show that, despite being the greatest celebration of cinema, the Oscar for Best Actor has not always awarded unanimously, reflecting social tensions, internal Academy politics and controversies that go beyond artistic merit.
Who is the actor who has the most Oscars?
As we have already mentioned, the actor who holds the record for the most Oscars in the Best Actor category is Daniel Day-Lewis, being the only artist to win three statuettes in this category.
In addition to Daniel Day-Lewis, other actors also stand out for their multiple wins, such as Jack Nicholson, who has three Oscars – two for Best Actor and one for Best Supporting Actor – and Walter Brennan, who has won three times for Best Supporting Actor. However, none of them have surpassed Day-Lewis’ three wins in the main category.
Daniel Day-Lewis’ career is marked by an extreme commitment to preparing for his roles, which has given him intense and memorable performances, consolidating him as a living legend of cinema and the ultimate reference in the art of acting awarded by the Academy.
- See also: The (not so) secret truths of the Oscars
Who won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2025?
The winner of the 2025 Oscar for Best Actor was Adrien Brody, who won the statuette for his portrayal of László Tóth in the film The Brutalist , winning his second Oscar in the category.
In his acceptance speech, Brody highlighted the fragility of the acting profession and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue doing the work he loves, noting that the win represents a chance to start over and prove himself in meaningful roles in the future.
Thus, Adrien Brody reaffirmed his place among the great actors awarded by the Academy, consolidating a career marked by intense and award-winning performances.
Current trends in choosing Oscar winners for Best Actor
In recent editions of the Oscars, the choice of the winner in the Best Actor category has reflected a combination of factors that go beyond the technical quality of the performance, incorporating cultural, social and even technological trends.
Adrien Brody’s win in 2025 exemplifies this evolution, as his performance was recognized not only for its dramatic intensity, but also for the context of the character and the film’s relevance to the season.
A growing trend is the appreciation of performances that address complex and current themes, often linked to deep historical, social or psychological issues. The Academy has been awarding awards to actors who play multifaceted characters who challenge stereotypes and bring to the fore contemporary debates, as was the recent case with Brody and also with nominees such as Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Stranger , who represents the new generation of actors with roles that explore modern identities and conflicts.
Furthermore, awards season has shown that votes are influenced by strategic campaigns and reception at other major awards shows, such as the SAG Awards, Critics Choice and BAFTA. Although the winner of the SAG Awards does not always guarantee an Oscar, these awards can act as thermometers that indicate trends and move the competition.
Thus, the choice of the winners of the Oscar for Best Actor today is the result of a confluence between talent, cultural relevance, campaign strategies, social trends and technological advances, making the category increasingly dynamic and representative of current times.
The Oscar category for Best Actor is one of the most emblematic and traditional in the history of cinema, reflecting artistic excellence, cultural and social transformations over almost a century.
From the first winners to record-breakers like Daniel Day-Lewis and the controversial moments that marked the awards, this category reveals a rich and diverse panorama of the great performances that defined generations.
In addition to celebrating memorable performances, the Best Actor Oscar also follows current trends and debates, showing how the choice of winners evolves according to the context of the industry and society. For film lovers, understanding this trajectory is essential to appreciate the importance and impact of this award.
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