Celebrities with the Most Academy Awards

The Academy Awards are the holy grail of Hollywood, and while many stars dream of holding that golden statue, only a select few have turned it into their personal trophy collection. Here’s a look at the celebrities who own the most Oscars in history!

The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, represent the highest achievement in the film industry. Every year, actors, directors, writers, and filmmakers compete for the coveted gold statuette, but only a handful of stars have managed to win multiple Oscars throughout their careers.

From legendary performers like Katharine Hepburn and Daniel Day-Lewis to entertainment pioneer Walt Disney, these celebrities have left an unforgettable mark on Hollywood history through their award-winning performances and creative contributions.

Katharine Hepburn (4 Oscars)

When it comes to acting, no one has dominated the Oscars quite like Katharine Hepburn. She holds four Academy Awards for Best Actress, a record no other actor has broken.

• Morning Glory (1933)
• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
• The Lion in Winter (1968), On Golden Pond (1981)

Hepburn never attended the Oscars to accept her awards. 

Daniel Day-Lewis (3 Oscars)

If you want a masterclass in method acting, look no further than Daniel Day-Lewis. The man goes full-on character mode—whether it’s becoming Abraham Lincoln or a ruthless oil tycoon.

• My Left Foot (1989
• There Will Be Blood (2007)
• Lincoln (2012)

Meryl Streep (3 Oscars, 21 Nominations!)

The GOAT of acting, Meryl Streep, holds the record for most Oscar nominations (21 times!), proving she’s Hollywood’s ultimate powerhouse.

• Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

• Sophie’s Choice (1982)

• The Iron Lady (2011)

Streep is so good that even her Oscar losses are iconic—she’s been nominated so many times, it’s basically a yearly tradition!

Jack Nicholson (3 Oscars)

Known for his wild personality, Jack Nicholson is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, bagging three Oscars over his legendary career.

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

• Terms of Endearment (1983)

• As Good as It Gets (1997)

Walt Disney (26 Wins!)

If you think actors have the most Oscars, think again! The real Oscar king is none other than Walt Disney, who holds a record 26 Academy Awards for his animated works. 

No individual has won more Academy Awards than Walt Disney. During his legendary career, Disney received 59 Oscar nominations and won an astonishing 26 awards, a record that remains unbeaten.

His contributions to animation, filmmaking, and storytelling helped shape modern entertainment and established Disney as one of the most influential figures in Hollywood history.

Who Will Break the Record Next?

While records are made to be broken, some Academy Awards achievements have stood the test of time. Actors like Frances McDormand, Denzel Washington, and Cate Blanchett continue to add to their impressive resumes, but surpassing legends like Katharine Hepburn or Walt Disney remains a difficult challenge.

As Hollywood evolves, these stars continue to serve as benchmarks of excellence for future generations of actors and filmmakers.

With actors like Denzel Washington (2 wins), Frances McDormand (3 wins), and Leonardo DiCaprio (1 win) still in the game, the Oscars race is far from over!