Eight Major Awards Robert Downey Jr. Has Yet to Claim
Robert Downey Jr. has enjoyed a remarkable run of accolades, but even after his Oscar triumph for Oppenheimer, several prestigious honours have eluded him. Discover which awards still remain out of reach.
Fresh from his celebrated turn in Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. is set to reprise his role in Avengers: Doomsday. The 2024 awards circuit saw him sweep the Supporting Actor category for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss, finally securing his first Academy Award. Yet, despite a career brimming with 162 nominations and 70 wins, there are still a handful of notable prizes that have slipped through his fingers.
Unclaimed Accolades: The Elusive Eight
Before his well-documented troubles in the late 1990s, Downey Jr. had already made a name for himself, earning multiple nods for his performance in Chaplin (1992). His stint on Ally McBeal also brought him into the awards spotlight, and his time as Tony Stark in the Marvel universe has been nothing short of prolific. Still, a few trophies remain conspicuously absent from his collection.
Among the most significant are the Primetime Emmy Awards, where he’s been nominated twice: once for Ally McBeal in 2001 and again for The Sympathizer in 2024. The AACTA International Awards also eluded him, despite a nomination for Oppenheimer. Astra Awards recognised his work in Oppenheimer with two nominations, but no wins. The Empire Awards have shortlisted him for Best Actor on three occasions—Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes, and The Avengers—yet he’s never taken home the prize.
Other Noteworthy Nominations
Downey Jr. has also been in the running for a Gotham Award for his ensemble work in Good Night, and Good Luck, and the National Movie Awards for Iron Man. The Prism Awards acknowledged his role in The Soloist, and the TV Guide Awards nominated him for Ally McBeal. Despite these recognitions, the statuettes remain unclaimed.
Oscar, BAFTA, and Beyond: Wins and Near Misses
His journey at the Oscars began with a Best Actor nomination for Chaplin and a Supporting Actor nod for Tropic Thunder. It wasn’t until Oppenheimer that he finally clinched the coveted statue. At the BAFTAs, he’s been nominated for Tropic Thunder and won for Chaplin and Oppenheimer. The Critics’ Choice Awards have seen him nominated for roles in Tropic Thunder, The Avengers, and Iron Man 3, with wins for Oppenheimer’s ensemble and his supporting role. His television work in The Sympathizer also earned a Critics’ Choice nomination.
Golden Globes, SAG, and Popular Vote
Downey Jr.’s Golden Globe history is a patchwork of nominations and victories. He’s been recognised for Chaplin, Sherlock Holmes, Tropic Thunder, Ally McBeal, and Oppenheimer, with wins for Sherlock Holmes, Ally McBeal, and Oppenheimer, as well as a Special Achievement Award for Short Cuts. The Screen Actors Guild has honoured him for Ally McBeal and Oppenheimer, with additional nominations for ensemble work and supporting roles in Good Night, and Good Luck and Tropic Thunder.
Public acclaim has also been generous. Over the past decade, he’s received 19 People’s Choice nominations, winning six times for performances in The Avengers, Iron Man 3, The Judge, and Captain America: Civil War. The Saturn Awards have recognised him for Heart and Souls, Iron Man, Iron Man 3, and Avengers: Endgame, with nominations for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man 2, and Oppenheimer. Teen Choice Awards have nominated him 18 times, with three wins for Iron Man 3, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
With further appearances as Doctor Doom in the pipeline, Downey Jr. may yet add to his already impressive tally. For now, though, these eight awards remain just out of reach.