Hollywood has always had its highs and lows. While the Oscars celebrate the best the film industry has to offer, the Golden Raspberry Awards — affectionately called the Razzies — exist to acknowledge the opposite end of the spectrum. Since 1980, this satirical honor has called out performances that left critics and audiences scratching their heads. Here is a year-by-year look at every actor who took home the Razzie for Worst Actor, and the films that earned them that unwanted distinction.
2024 – Jerry Seinfeld – Unfrosted
Known for decades as one of the sharpest comedic minds in the business, Jerry Seinfeld stepped into the director’s chair and leading role for “Unfrosted,” a comedy built around the breakfast pastry race between Kellogg’s and Post. The result did not land the way he hoped. Reviewers found the humor hollow and the storytelling thin, and Seinfeld’s own performance was called flat and surprisingly lifeless for someone with his background. The Razzie for Worst Actor followed.
2023 – Jon Voight – Mercy
Jon Voight carries genuine Hollywood prestige. A four-time Oscar nominee, he claimed the Best Actor prize back in 1979 for “Coming Home.” That legacy made his Razzie win for “Mercy” all the more unexpected. The film, a thriller centered on a former military officer whose hospital falls under siege by the Irish mob while her son is taken hostage, gave Voight a meaty premise to work with. Critics felt he did not make the most of it.
2022 – Jared Leto – Morbius
Few superhero-adjacent films in recent memory flopped as thoroughly as “Morbius.” The project collected five Razzie nominations, including Worst Picture, and walked away with two wins: Worst Actor for Jared Leto and Worst Supporting Actress for Adria Arjona. Audiences and critics alike found little to admire in the final product.
2021 – LeBron James – Space Jam: A New Legacy
Crossing over from professional sports into acting is a notoriously difficult leap, and LeBron James discovered that firsthand with “Space Jam: A New Legacy.” The sequel picked up three Razzies: Worst Actor for James, Worst Screen Combo for James alongside any Warner Bros. cartoon character he shared the screen with, and Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel.
2020 – Mike Lindell – Absolute Proof
MyPillow founder Mike Lindell produced and appeared in a documentary making sweeping, widely contested claims about alleged foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The film earned him two Razzies: Worst Picture and Worst Actor.
2019 – John Travolta – Two Movies
John Travolta had a rough awards season in 2019, claiming the Worst Actor prize for not one but two films: “The Fanatic” and “Trading Paint.” Neither picture connected with audiences or critics, and both added an unfortunate chapter to his filmography.
2018 – Donald Trump – Two Documentaries
In an unusual departure from the Razzies’ typical focus on fictional performances, Donald Trump received the Worst Actor award for his appearances in two documentaries: “Fahrenheit 11/9,” directed by Michael Moore, and “Death of a Nation,” directed by Dinesh D’Souza. He was not a professional actor in either film, a fact that itself drew debate about the appropriateness of his inclusion.
2017 – Tom Cruise – The Mummy
Universal Pictures had grand ambitions for “The Mummy” as the launchpad for its planned Dark Universe franchise. Those ambitions did not survive contact with critics or ticket buyers. The film collected eight Razzie nominations and converted one into a win: Worst Actor for Tom Cruise.
2016 – Dinesh D’Souza – Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party
Political commentator and filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza put himself in front of the camera for this documentary, and the Razzie voters took notice. The film received five nominations and won four, including Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Actor for D’Souza.
2015 – Jamie Dornan – Fifty Shades of Grey
The big-screen adaptation of the massively popular novel arrived with enormous anticipation and left many viewers disappointed. “Fifty Shades of Grey” swept five Razzies: Worst Picture, Worst Actor for Jamie Dornan, Worst Actress for Dakota Johnson, Worst Screen Combo for the two leads together, and Worst Screenplay.
2014 – Kirk Cameron – Saving Christmas
Kirk Cameron’s faith-based project “Saving Christmas” entered six Razzie categories and won four of them, including Worst Picture and Worst Actor for Cameron himself.
2013 – Jaden Smith – After Earth
Will Smith and his son Jaden headlined this sci-fi adventure, which failed to connect with audiences or critics. It earned six Razzie nominations and took home three: Worst Actor for Jaden Smith, Worst Supporting Actor for Will Smith, and Worst Screen Combo for the two together. Will Smith later spoke publicly about how much the film’s failure weighed on him, and expressed regret about bringing his son into the project.
2012 – Adam Sandler – That’s My Boy
Adam Sandler collected his third Razzie for Worst Actor with “That’s My Boy.” The film received seven nominations in total and won two: Worst Actor and Worst Screenplay for writer David Caspe.
2011 – Adam Sandler – Jack and Jill / Just Go With It
The year 2011 belonged to Adam Sandler at the Razzies, and not in a way he would celebrate. “Jack and Jill,” in which Sandler played both twin siblings, made Razzie history by becoming the first film to sweep all ten categories at the ceremony. Its twelve nominations and twelve wins included Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Actor, and, remarkably, Worst Actress — both acting prizes going to Sandler for the same dual performance.
2010 – Ashton Kutcher – Two Movies
Ashton Kutcher appeared in two widely panned films in 2010 — “Killers” and “Valentine’s Day” — and Razzie voters rewarded him with the Worst Actor prize for both efforts combined.
2009 – Jonas Brothers – Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience
The Jonas Brothers’ concert documentary, capturing highlights from their Burnin’ Up Tour, earned two Razzie nominations and won one: Worst Actor, awarded collectively to the group.
2008 – Mike Myers – The Love Guru
“The Love Guru” proved a significant stumble for Myers following his Austin Powers success. It won three Razzies: Worst Picture, Worst Actor for Myers, and Worst Screenplay credited to Myers and Graham Gordy.
2007 – Eddie Murphy – Norbit
Eddie Murphy took on three separate roles in “Norbit” and critics were not impressed with any of them. The film received eight Razzie nominations and won three: Worst Actor for Murphy as Norbit, Worst Supporting Actor for Murphy as Mr. Wong, and Worst Supporting Actress for Murphy as Rasputia.
2006 – Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans – Little Man
“Little Man” arrived with seven Razzie nominations and departed with three wins: Worst Actor shared between Marlon and Shawn Wayans, Worst Screen Couple, and Worst Remake or Rip-off.
2005 – Rob Schneider – Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
Rob Schneider’s sequel to his earlier comedy earned five Razzie nominations. He personally took home the Worst Actor award.
2004 – George W. Bush – Fahrenheit 9/11
In one of the more politically charged moments in Razzie history, the organization recognized President George W. Bush, alongside Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleezza Rice, for their real-world conduct as portrayed in Michael Moore’s documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11.” The decision to include non-actors representing stock footage appearances drew criticism from observers who felt it strayed too far from the Razzies’ entertainment focus.
2003 – Ben Affleck – Gigli
Ben Affleck had a genuinely difficult year in 2003, winning the Worst Actor prize for work spread across three films: “Gigli,” “Daredevil,” and “Paycheck.” “Gigli” alone accounted for six Razzie wins, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, Worst Actress for Jennifer Lopez, Worst Screen Couple, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay.
2002 – Roberto Benigni – Pinocchio
The English-dubbed version of Roberto Benigni’s Italian “Pinocchio” made Razzie history as the first foreign-language film to receive nominations — six in total. It converted one into a win: Worst Actor for Benigni.
2001 – Tom Green – Freddy Got Fingered
Tom Green wrote, directed, and starred in this surreal comedy about an aimless young man who fabricates outrageous accusations against his father after being pushed to move out. The film claimed five Razzies: Worst Picture, Worst Actor, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay — all attributed to Green — plus Worst Screen Couple.
2000 – John Travolta – Battlefield Earth
“Battlefield Earth” set a record in the year 2000 that still stands: eight Razzie wins in a single year. The haul included Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Actor for John Travolta, Worst Supporting Actor, Worst Supporting Actress, Worst Screenplay, Worst Screen Couple, and Worst Original Song.
1999 – Adam Sandler – Big Daddy
“Big Daddy” collected five Razzie nominations, with Adam Sandler claiming the Worst Actor prize.
1998 – Bruce Willis – Three Movies
Bruce Willis had a prolific but poorly reviewed stretch in 1998. Razzie voters recognized his work across three films — “Armageddon,” “Mercury Rising,” and “The Siege” — with a combined Worst Actor award.
1997 – Kevin Costner – The Postman
Kevin Costner’s ambitious post-apocalyptic epic went five-for-five at the Razzies, winning every category it was nominated in: Worst Actor, Worst Director, Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Original Song.
1996 – Pauly Shore and Tom Arnold
The 1996 Worst Actor prize ended in a tie. Pauly Shore received the award for “Bio-Dome” while Tom Arnold shared the honor for his appearances in “Big Bully,” “Carpool,” and “The Stupids.”
1995 – Pauly Shore – Jury Duty
One year before his tie at the top, Pauly Shore earned a solo Worst Actor win for “Jury Duty,” a film that failed commercially and received little critical support.
1994 – Kevin Costner – Wyatt Earp
“Wyatt Earp” received five Razzie nominations and lost two of those races: Worst Actor for Kevin Costner and Worst Remake or Sequel.
1993 – Burt Reynolds – Cop and a Half
Burt Reynolds earned two Razzie nominations for “Cop and a Half”: Worst Actor for himself and Worst New Star for his young co-star Norman D. Golden II.
1992 – Sylvester Stallone – Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
“Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot” won three Razzies: Worst Actor for Stallone, Worst Supporting Actress, and Worst Screenplay. Stallone himself has openly called it the worst film he ever made.
1991 – Kevin Costner – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Despite earning $391 million at the global box office, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” left critics cold when it came to Kevin Costner’s performance specifically. He took home the Worst Actor Razzie while the film continued to sell tickets worldwide.
1990 – Andrew Dice Clay – The Adventures of Ford Fairlane
Five Razzie nominations came in for this action comedy, and three converted into wins: Worst Picture, Worst Actor for Andrew Dice Clay, and Worst Screenplay.
1989 – William Shatner – Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
The fifth entry in the Star Trek film series performed reasonably well at the box office but struggled with critics. Six Razzie nominations followed, and three won: Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Actor for William Shatner.
1988 – Sylvester Stallone – Rambo III
“Rambo III” received five Razzie nominations and walked away with one win: Worst Actor for Stallone.
1987 – Bill Cosby – Leonard Part 6
“Leonard Part 6” earned just over $4.6 million against a $24 million production budget, making it a costly failure. It collected three Razzies: Worst Actor for Bill Cosby, Worst Picture, and Worst Screenplay. It is worth noting that since this film’s release, Cosby has faced serious legal proceedings tied to sexual assault allegations, a development that has profoundly altered how his public legacy is viewed.
1986 – Prince – Under the Cherry Moon
Prince wore several hats on “Under the Cherry Moon,” and the Razzies acknowledged that breadth with five wins: Worst Actor and Worst Director for Prince, plus Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actor, and Worst Original Song.
1985 – Sylvester Stallone – Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rocky IV
Stallone dominated the mid-1980s action genre and the Razzies simultaneously. In 1985, he claimed Worst Actor for two films released the same year: “Rambo: First Blood Part II” and “Rocky IV.”
1984 – Sylvester Stallone – Rhinestone
Seven Razzie nominations came Rhinestone’s way, and the film converted two: Worst Actor for Stallone and Worst Original Song.
1983 – Christopher Atkins – A Night in Heaven
Critics found “A Night in Heaven” disjointed and narratively unsatisfying. Christopher Atkins won the Worst Actor award for his performance in the film.
1982 – Laurence Olivier – Inchon
“Inchon” lost more than $44 million, placing it among the most damaging financial failures of the decade in Hollywood. It won four Razzies: Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Actor for the legendary Laurence Olivier.
1980 – Neil Diamond – The Jazz Singer
Neil Diamond’s acting debut in this remake of the classic film generated a strange dual recognition: a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor and a Razzie win for Worst Actor, both for the same performance. He lost the former and claimed the latter.
