Oscars: Meryl Streep vs Katharine Hepburn, Jack Nicholson vs Daniel Day-Lewis – who has won the most Academy Awards in history?
As Joaquin Phoenix squares off against Leonardo DiCaprio and Scarlett Johansson goes up against Saoirse Ronan at the 2020 awards – we riffle through the record books to remember the winners, the hapless, the oldest and the youngest in Oscar history
Many of us are gearing up for all the glamour, thrills and upsets that can only come with the Oscars – with the 92nd Academy Awards taking place early on February 10, local time.
A myriad actors have been nominated since the awards’ inception in 1929 – so ahead of this year’s big night we look back at the record books: which actor has won the most Oscars? Who was the youngest? The oldest? We’ve got your answers. Keep reading to find out more.
Katharine Hepburn won the most Oscars – four, to be precise
Regarded by many as the greatest female actor of all time, Katharine Hepburn has won the most best actress award in four films (and thus, the most Oscars!): Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968) and On Golden Pond (1981).
Daniel Day-Lewis has won the most best actor trophies – three
British acting legend Daniel Day-Lewis is the only male actor to win the most best actor award with three films: My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007) and Lincoln (2012).
Meryl Streep is the most-nominated female actor – with 21 nods
Despite people’s assumption that Meryl Streep has won the most Oscars, the beloved actress still holds the record for actor with the most nominations. From The Deer Hunter (1979) and Sophie's Choice (1982) to The Post (2017), Streep has received 21 nominations for best actress and best supporting actress.
Jack Nicholson is the most-nominated male actor, with a tally of 12 nods