When people in the entertainment industry win an Oscar, it has long been said that they can enter a cursed state, no longer able to reach such stellar heights as they did when they first earned the award. While this may or may not be true, there are a handful of A-list actors who have managed to break the curse, despite the pressure and expectations that come with the title of Oscar winner. Here are the top actors who have achieved the seemingly impossible: they’ve won an Oscar and then gone on to deliver impressive performances in high-profile roles.
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is first on the list of actors that broke the Oscar curse. After winning the Best Actor Oscar for Philadelphia in 1994, Hanks went on to star in some of the most beloved films of the modern era, including Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Cast Away, Saving Private Ryan and dozens of others. Hanks’ performance in each of these films was solid and he has proven himself to be one of the most iconic actors of all time, firmly breaking the Oscar curse.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon is another actor who has dared to defy the curse. After Witherspoon graced the stage to accept her Best Actress Oscar for Walk the Line in 2006, she went on to star in critically acclaimed films such as Wild, Legally Blonde, and Big Little Lies. Witherspoon continues to wow Hollywood with her performances and her thoughtful responses to difficult questions posed by interviewers. This actress clearly has a lot of staying power and has no intentions of letting the Oscar curse affect her career.
Jared Leto
Like the other two actors on the list, Jared Leto went against the grain when it came to the Oscar curse. After winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club in 2014, Leto went on to star in acclaimed role after acclaimed role, such as his performance as the Joker in Suicide Squad. Leto has not only made a name for himself in features and television but also in fashion and music. His career has grown exponentially since his win and it does not look like he’s slowing down any time soon.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is the fourth actor on this list that broke the Oscar curse. After winning an Academy Award for her performance in Erin Brockovich in 2000, Roberts went on to star in some of the most beloved and critically acclaimed films of recent memory. Her performance in films like My Best Friend’s Wedding and Mona Lisa Smile earned her rave reviews and cemented her position as a Hollywood A-lister. With no signs of stopping, Roberts continues to prove why she broke the Oscar curse.
To win an Oscar is a huge honor and a tall order. Despite the odds, four outstanding actors were able to break the so-called “Oscar curse” and continue to prove their mastery of their craft. Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto, and Julia Roberts have defied the odds and continue to star in films that set a standard for cinematic excellence. They have earned their spot at the top of the list of actors who are proof that the Oscar curse can be overcome.
