Irene Dunne in The Awful Truth — the Academy’s original sin

Orson Welles in Citizen Kane

Paul Newman in Hud

Kim Stanley in Seance on a Wet Afternoon

Peter O’Toole in The Lion in Winter

Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon

Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys

Joan Allen in Nixon

Tom Cruise in Magnolia

Bruce Dern in Nebraska

Laurie Metcalf in Lady Bird

Bradley Cooper in A Star is Born

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