Brenda Blethyn

Brenda Blethyn, like so many on this list, has missed out on an Oscar. In fact, she missed out twice. But she has still won a host of other awards, including a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a Cannes Film Festival Award.

Blethyn worked in administration and had no acting ambitions before studying at Guildford School of Acting and pursuing her newfound passion. When it comes to not wearing makeup, she pulls it off marvelously, looking as good with it as she does without it. She is still playing Vera Stanhope in the longstanding series called Vera.