6 Actors Who Squandered their Oscar Win

6. Cuba Gooding Jr.

Really, he is the classic example of what can go wrong. ("Snow Dogs." "Boat Trip." "Rat Race." "Norbit.") Beating the likes of Edward Norton in "Primal Fear" and William H. Macy for "Fargo," Gooding won the Oscar for his role in "Jerry Maguire." (Which, to be fair, he was great in.) Even when he tried to go for Oscar fare, it was almost as bad. ("What Dreams May Come" and "Radio.") In recent years, Gooding Jr. has tried to be more selective and take supporting roles in quality fare like "American Gangster" and the upcoming "The Butler." But it's going to be hard to overcome being a punchline for years.

Photo Source: TriStar Pictures