Oscar voters snub Ralph Fiennes due to mistaken belief he already won

In the lead-up to the Oscars, it has been revealed that Ralph Fiennes was not voted for by some Oscars voters because of a common misconception. The voters thought that Fiennes had already received an Oscar for his role in 'Schindler's List,' where he portrayed Nazi officer Amon Goeth. This misjudgment highlights an interesting issue within the Academy, where important decisions are made based on incorrect assumptions. Fiennes, who has received three nominations throughout his acting career – for 'Schindler's List', 'The English Patient', and most recently for his role in 'Conclave' as Cardinal Lawrence – has never won the award. Despite his incredible performances, he lost out on each occasion, including to Tommy Lee Jones for 'The Fugitive' and Geoffrey Rush for 'Shine'. The Oscars voters' mistake was notably ironic because they ended up supporting another actor who had already won a Best Actor Oscar before, Adrien Brody for his film 'The Brutalist'. Brody, who won the award in 2003 for 'The Pianist,' has gained much recognition this awards season and was favored to win again. The mix-up not only reflects on the voters' perception but raises questions on how awards are evaluated and the awareness of the voting body regarding nominees' past achievements. Furthermore, while Fiennes had received critical acclaim for 'Conclave,' which won Best Picture at the Baftas, the competition for the Oscar seems to be stronger against other films like 'The Brutalist' and 'Anora,' increasing the stakes for each nominee. As the Oscars approach, the dynamics of voters’ decisions and industry biases are under scrutiny, serving as a reminder of how easily significant talent can be overlooked due to misinformation or misunderstanding.