Actors Who Have Won the Most Oscars in History (Records)

The actors who have won the most Oscars for acting are Katharine Hepburn with four awards, and Daniel Day-Lewis, Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, and others with three each. Their wins highlight exceptional talent and consistency.

Katharine Hepburn leads with four Best Actress wins, a record still unbeaten. Her career inspires curiosity among fans and actors about what it takes to win multiple Oscars and maintain relevance in Hollywood over decades.

In this article, we’ll explore the top Oscar-winning actors, the roles that earned them gold, and the trends behind repeated success at the Academy Awards.

Top 7 Actors with the Most Oscars (2025)

Seven exceptional actors have achieved three or more Oscar victories. They are as follows:

SR.No.	Actors	Oscars	Awards for
1	Katharine Hepburn	4	Morning Glory (1933) Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) The Lion in Winter (1968) On Golden Pond (1981)
2	Meryl Streep	3	Sophie’s Choice (1982) The Iron Lady (2011) Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
3	Jack Nicholson	3	One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) As Good as It Gets (1997), Terms of Endearment (1983)
4	Ingrid Bergman	3	Gaslight (1944) Anastasia (1956) Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
5	Daniel Day-Lewis	3	My Left Foot (1989) There Will Be Blood (2007) Lincoln (2012)
6	Frances McDormand	3	Fargo (1996) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) Nomadland (2020)
7	Walter Brennan	3	Come and Get It (1936) Kentucky (1938) The Westerner (1940)

These legendary performers transformed cinema through their extraordinary talent, earning multiple Academy Awards for roles that defined generations of filmmaking excellence.

1. Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn remains cinema’s most Oscar-decorated performer, claiming four Best Actress victories spanning nearly five decades of exceptional work. Her unconventional approach challenged Hollywood norms while delivering unforgettable performances.

Born into a progressive Connecticut family, Hepburn developed fierce independence that translated into bold character choices. Her career weathered early setbacks before achieving unprecedented critical acclaim.

Award-winning category: Best Actress (4 wins)

Roles:

• Morning Glory (1933) as Eva Lovelace
• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) as Christina Drayton
• The Lion in Winter (1968) as Eleanor of Aquitaine
• On Golden Pond (1981) as Ethel Thayer

2. Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep combines technical mastery with emotional depth, earning three Oscar victories from a record 21 nominations. Her transformative performances demonstrate unparalleled versatility across genres and decades.

Streep’s meticulous preparation and accent work create authentic characters that resonate universally. Critics consistently praise her ability to disappear completely into demanding roles.

Award-winning category: Best Supporting Actress (1 win), Best Actress (2 wins)

Roles:

• Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) as Joanna Kramer
• Sophie’s Choice (1982) as Sophie
• The Iron Lady (2011) as Margaret Thatcher

3. Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson’s magnetic screen presence and psychological intensity secured three Oscar victories from twelve nominations. His performances blend charisma with unsettling darkness, creating cinema’s most memorable antiheroes.

Nicholson’s career spans six decades, consistently delivering compelling portrayals of complex characters. His distinctive style influences generations of actors seeking similar magnetic appeal.

Award-winning category: Best Actor (2 wins), Best Supporting Actor (1 win)

Roles:

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) as R.P. McMurphy
• Terms of Endearment (1983) as Garrett Breedlove
• As Good as It Gets (1997) as Melvin Udall

4. Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman’s natural beauty and emotional authenticity earned her three Oscar victories across leading and supporting categories. Her international career bridged Hollywood’s Golden Age with European art cinema.

Bergman’s personal scandals temporarily derailed her American career before triumphant returns proved her enduring talent. Her performances maintain a timeless appeal across cultural boundaries.

Award-winning category: Best Actress (2 wins), Best Supporting Actress (1 win)

Roles:

• Gaslight (1944) as Paula Alquist
• Anastasia (1956) as Anna Koreff
• Murder on the Orient Express (1974) as Greta

5. Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis achieved three Best Actor victories through extreme method acting and complete immersion in character. His selective filmography prioritizes quality over quantity, resulting in consistently exceptional performances.

Known for intensive preparation and remaining in character throughout filming, Day-Lewis retired from acting after his final Oscar-nominated performance. His dedication redefined professional commitment standards.

Award-winning category: Best Actor (3 wins)

Roles:

• My Left Foot (1989) as Christy Brown
• There Will Be Blood (2007) as Daniel Plainview
• Lincoln (2012) as Abraham Lincoln

6. Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand’s three Oscar victories showcase her ability to embody authentic, complex female characters. Her collaboration with the Coen Brothers produced several critically acclaimed performances.

McDormand’s naturalistic acting style avoids Hollywood glamour, focusing instead on genuine human emotions. Her recent wins reflect contemporary cinema’s evolving storytelling approaches.

Award-winning category: Best Actress (3 wins)

Roles:

• Fargo (1996) as Marge Gunderson
• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) as Mildred
• Nomadland (2020) as Fern

7. Walter Brennan

Walter Brennan holds the unique distinction of winning three consecutive Best Supporting Actor Oscars within four years. His character work specialized in rural, eccentric personalities that became Hollywood archetypes.

Brennan’s versatility allowed him to excel in westerns, dramas, and comedies throughout his lengthy career. His distinctive voice and mannerisms influenced countless character actors.

Award-winning category: Best Supporting Actor (3 wins)

Roles:

• Come and Get It (1936) as Swan Bostrom
• Kentucky (1938) as Peter Goodwin
• The Westerner (1940) as Judge Roy Bean

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Conclusion: Katharine Hepburn Leads With 4 Oscar Wins

These seven actors represent cinema’s highest achievements, demonstrating exceptional talent through multiple Oscar victories. Their diverse backgrounds and approaches prove that excellence transcends any single method or style.

Contemporary actors continue pursuing similar recognition, though matching Hepburn’s four-win record remains an extraordinary challenge. These performances inspire current and future generations of filmmakers worldwide.

Consider exploring these award-winning films to appreciate the masterful acting techniques they showcase. Additionally, examine how these actors’ careers evolved between victories, revealing the dedication required for sustained excellence.

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