The underrated Aaron Eckhart shot out of a cannon in 1997 with Neil LaBute’s In the Company of Men. He should have been nominated for that! And also for Erin Brockovich in 2000. And controversial thought, he’s the performance that should have won an Oscar for 2008’s The Dark Knight!

He is also excellent in Nurse Betty, The Pledge, Rabbit Hole, and Thank You For Smoking.

This article is part of a special year-long series of anecdotes, reflections and thoughts about the Academy Awards.