Introduction
The Academy Awards, more commonly known as the Oscars, are one of the highest honors in the film industry. Since 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been recognizing excellence in filmmaking by awarding various awards to filmmakers, actors, and other creatives. The most prestigious award is the Academy Award for Best Picture, but there are many other awards that recognize outstanding achievement in different areas of filmmaking.
This article will explore who has the most Oscar nominations. We will look at the list of top 10 nominees, analyze their records, break down the nominations by film genre, examine the most nominated performers, compare actors and directors with the most nominations, review the acting and directing categories, and offer a historical overview of the most Oscar-nominated people.

Ranking of Actors and Directors with Most Oscar Nominations
The list of top 10 nominees with the most Oscar nominations includes Meryl Streep (21), Jack Nicholson (12), Katharine Hepburn (12), Daniel Day-Lewis (11), Peter O’Toole (10), Al Pacino (9), Robert De Niro (8), Bette Davis (7), Sidney Poitier (7), and Laurence Olivier (7).
Meryl Streep has the most Oscar nominations of any actor or director. She has been nominated for 21 Academy Awards, winning three for her performances in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Sophie’s Choice (1982), and The Iron Lady (2011). Jack Nicholson has been nominated 12 times, winning twice for his performances in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and As Good as it Gets (1997). Katharine Hepburn has been nominated 12 times, winning four for her performances in Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968), and On Golden Pond (1981). Daniel Day-Lewis has been nominated 11 times and won three for My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012). Peter O’Toole has been nominated 10 times, but never won.
In-Depth Look at Who Has Received the Most Oscar Nominations
When looking at the breakdown of nominations by film genre, we can see that the most nominated genres are drama (53%), comedy/musical (17%), and biopic (14%). Of the top 10 nominees, Meryl Streep has been nominated for the most dramas (14), Jack Nicholson for the most comedies/musicals (4), and Daniel Day-Lewis for the most biopics (6).
When examining the most nominated performers, Meryl Streep stands out as having the most nominations overall. She has earned 21 nominations across all genres, including 14 for dramas, 4 for comedies/musicals, and 3 for biopics. Jack Nicholson, Katharine Hepburn, and Daniel Day-Lewis have each earned 12, 12, and 11 nominations respectively.
Comparison of Actors and Directors with Most Oscar Nominations
When comparing actors and directors with the most Oscar nominations, we can see that actors significantly outnumber directors. Of the top 10 nominees, 8 are actors and only 2 are directors. This is indicative of the fact that acting is usually seen as the more glamorous side of filmmaking and is therefore more likely to be recognized with awards.
When looking at the gender and ethnicity of nominees, we can see that the majority of nominees are white males. Of the top 10 nominees, 8 are male and 7 are white. This reflects the long-standing trend in Hollywood of white male dominance in the film industry.

Analysis of Records of Oscar Nominees
When reviewing the acting and directing categories, we can see that the most nominated actors and directors tend to specialize in certain genres. Meryl Streep has been nominated for the most dramas, Jack Nicholson for the most comedies/musicals, and Daniel Day-Lewis for the most biopics. Similarly, directors such as Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg have been nominated for the most dramas, Woody Allen for the most comedies/musicals, and Clint Eastwood for the most biopics.
We can also examine some of the notable achievements of Oscar nominees. For example, Meryl Streep holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any actor or director, while Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most wins by an actress. Additionally, Daniel Day-Lewis holds the record for the most wins by any actor, with three.
Historical Overview of the Most Oscar-Nominated People
When looking at the history of the most Oscar-nominated people, we can see that the majority of nominees have been influential figures in the film industry. Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Katharine Hepburn, and Daniel Day-Lewis are all considered to be among the greatest actors of all time. Similarly, directors such as Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Clint Eastwood are widely considered to be among the most influential filmmakers in history.
It is also worth noting that the list of most Oscar-nominated people has shifted over time. In the early days of the Academy Awards, actors such as Bette Davis, Laurence Olivier, and Sidney Poitier were among the most nominated, while in recent years, actors such as Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, and Daniel Day-Lewis have been dominant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this article has explored who has the most Oscar nominations. We have looked at the list of top 10 nominees, analyzed their records, broken down the nominations by film genre, examined the most nominated performers, compared actors and directors with the most nominations, reviewed the acting and directing categories, and offered a historical overview of the most Oscar-nominated people.
Overall, we can see that Meryl Streep holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any actor or director. We can also see that the majority of nominees are white males, and that the most nominated genres are drama, comedy/musical, and biopic. Finally, we can observe that the list of most Oscar-nominated people has shifted over time, with influential figures such as Bette Davis, Laurence Olivier, and Sidney Poitier being among the most nominated in the early days of the Academy Awards, and actors such as Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, and Daniel Day-Lewis dominating in recent years.