Find Out Who Won the Best Actor Oscar the Year You Were Born
A few recipients appear on this list more than once.

Hollywood is full of talented leading men, but winning an Academy Award sets them apart and is arguably the highest distinction a film actor can achieve. From emotional sports stories to legal dramas, the incredible performances in these films have helped them stand the test of time. As movie stars learn throughout their careers, winning Best Actor at the Academy Awards is not an easy feat. In fact, some actors—like Paul Newman and Leonardo DiCaprio—didn’t walk away with the coveted statue until after losing out on it several times.
Read on to learn which A-lister won the year you were born and what they had to say once they walked up to that famous podium to accept the prestigious honor.
MORE: Who Gave the Academy Award Its “Oscar” Nickname? • 10 Black Actors and Actresses Who’ve Won Oscars
Cristina Corvino is the Senior Editor for LIFT. A few of her favorite things include all things Christmas, cheese, coffee and baseball. (Let’s go Mets!) She loves rewatching Gilmore Girls and Downton Abbey, and her favorite new(ish) shows are Ted Lasso and Trying. (Seriously, try it!)

Melissa McCarthy

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