Katharine Hepburn leads the historic rankings with four wins, while Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson and Walter Brennan share the men’s record with three statuettes each.
Winning an Oscar is the pinnacle of a career for most film professionals, but winning the golden statuette multiple times is a feat reserved for a restricted elite. Until early 2026, the answer to who has won the most acting Oscars in history remains unchanged, with a legend from Hollywood’s Golden Age at the top alone and a select group of actors and actresses close behind.
Below, we detail who these record holders are, which films they were awarded for and the legacy left by each one at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The absolute record holder: Katharine Hepburn
When it comes to acting (gender neutral), Katharine Hepburn is the biggest winner of all time. The American actress, an icon of independence and talent, won four Oscars throughout her career, all in the Best Leading Actress category.
Hepburn’s achievement is even more impressive considering the longevity of her career. Between his first and last victory, 48 years passed.
The films that won statuettes for Katharine Hepburn were:
- “Morning of Glory” (1933): She won right at the beginning of her career, playing a young aspiring actress.
- “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967): A socially relevant drama about interracial marriage, starring Spencer Tracy.
- “The Lion in Winter” (1968): The following year, she won again (a rare tie with Barbra Streisand) for the role of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.
- “In a Golden Lake” (1981): His last victory, in old age, in a family drama with Henry Fonda.
Record holders in the men’s category
If the question specifically refers to the male gender (“which actor”), the record is three figurines. Three cinema legends share this podium, although with important distinctions in their categories (Main vs. Supporting).
Daniel Day-Lewis
He is the only man in history to win three times as Best Leading Actor. Known for his immersive method acting and role selectivity, he dominated the awards show in recent decades before his career hiatuses.
- “My Left Foot” (1989)
- “Black Blood” (2007)
- “Lincoln” (2012)
Jack Nicholson
With unparalleled charisma, Nicholson also has three figurinesbut divided between the main and supporting categories. He is also one of the most nominated actors in history (12 times).
- “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) – Main Actor
- “Terms of Endearment” (1983) – Supporting Actor
- “As Good as It Gets” (1997) – Main Actor
Walter Brennan
A legendary character actor from old Hollywood, Brennan was the first to reach the milestone of three wins, all as Best Supporting Actor.
- Come and Take (1936)
- Romance do Sul (1938)
- The Gallant Adventurer (1940)
Actresses with three statuettes
In addition to the men mentioned, three legendary actresses are right behind Katharine Hepburn, adding up to three Oscars of action each.
- Meryl Streep: Often cited as the best actress of her generation, she has two wins as Main (“Sophie’s Choice”, “The Iron Lady”) and one as Supporting (“Kramer vs. Kramer”). She holds the absolute record for nominations (more than 20).
- Frances McDormand: Known for raw and realistic performances, she won three times for Lead Actress (“Fargo”, “The Three Billboards”, “Nomadland”). It is worth noting that she has a fourth statuette as a producer, as “Nomadland” won Best Film.
- Ingrid Bergman: The Swedish Golden Age star won twice for Lead (“At Half Light,” “Anastasia”) and once for Supporting Role (“Murder on the Orient Express”).
Curiosities and distinctions
For those looking to understand the award records in depth, some additional facts are essential:
- Biggest overall winner: Although I’m not an actor, Walt Disney holds the absolute record for statuettes, with 22 competitive victories and four honorary ones.
- Record for nominations without a win: Actress Glenn Close and actor Peter O’Toole share the sad record of eight nominations without ever winning a competitive Oscar.
- Current actors: Until the 2025 ceremony, actors such as Robert De Niro, Cate Blanchett, Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks remained in the group with two Oscars, seeking the third statuette to enter the “elite club”.
Where to watch award-winning films
Most of the films starring these record holders are available on the main streaming platforms in Brazil.
- Hepburn and Brennan Classics: They can often be found for digital rental (Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video) or streaming Oldflix.
- Movies by Daniel Day-Lewis and Nicholson: Titles such as “Sangue Negro” and “Um Estranho no Ninho” usually appear in the catalogs of Max (antiga HBO Max) e Netflix.
- Meryl Streep e Frances McDormand: His most recent films, such as “Nomadland” and “The Iron Lady”, are available on Disney+ e Prime Video.
The legacy left by Katharine Hepburn, Daniel Day-Lewis and their peers goes far beyond the trophies on the shelf. They set the standard for excellence in film acting, influencing generations of new artists to seek not just fame, but immortality through the art of acting.
