The Oscar statuette is the pinnacle of one’s career in Hollywood. Win one of these hallowed golden naked men - standing perfectly erect, arms folded, head high – and a star is once and forever smiled upon by the movie Gods throughout eternity.
So it might come as a surprise that the path to Oscar glory isn’t always that hard to figure out. The Academy certainly has its perennial favorite themes. While they occasionally throw viewers for a loop by making the less expected choice (American Beauty, No Country for Old Men), they have picked the predicted winner more times than not.
Baiting for Oscars has evolved into an art form in Hollywood. Actors will gladly take a pay cut in order to throw their hat into the award season competitions. With such acclaim comes a feeling of accomplishment and, in most cases, career success for years to come. Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way. Just ask Cuba Gooding Jr. or Mira Sorvino.
The 2008 Oscar season is already in full swing, with a few shameless Oscar bids hitting theaters this month. Yes, I’m talking to you, Will Smith and Tom Cruise. As such, we thought the timing was appropriate to take a look at Oscar baiting over the years, both the successes and the failures. Check out our Oscar Baiting Guide for more.