EW ranks the top 30 Academy Award-winning performances in the Best Actor category, including those from Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and Cillian Murphy.

From Cillian Murphy and Will Smith to Sidney Poitier and Daniel Day-Lewis, a roll call of every Best Actor winner since the first-ever Academy Awards in 1929

While some stars collected statues like souvenirs, others, despite decades of iconic roles and critical acclaim, have lingered in the shadows of Academy recognition. These actors shaped cinema with transformative performances,