Best Actor: 1930s

1930: Emil Jannings, The Blue Angel

Oscar winner: George Arliss, Disraeli ('29/'30)

Was he nominated?: No

1931: Charlie Chaplin, City Lights

Oscar winner: Lionel Barrymore, A Free Soul ('30/'31)

Was he nominated?: No

1932: Paul Muni, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

Oscar winner: Wallace Beery, The Champ, ('31/'32)

Fredric March, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (TIE)

Was he nominated?: Yes (the next year)

1933: Charles Laughton, The Private Life of Henry VIII

Oscar winner: Charles Laughton, The Private Life of Henry VIII ('32/'33)

1934: Clark Gable, It Happened One Night

Oscar winner: Clark Gable, It Happened One Night

1935: Charles Laughton, Mutiny on the Bounty

Oscar winner: Victor McLaglen, The Informer

Was he nominated?: Yes

1936: William Powell, My Man Godfrey

Oscar winner: Paul Muni, The Story of Louis Pasteur

Was he nominated?: Yes

1937: Cary Grant, The Awful Truth

Oscar winner: Spencer Tracy, Captains Courageous

Was he nominated?: No

1938: Jean Gabin, La Bête Humaine

Oscar winner: Spencer Tracy, Boys Town

Was he nominated?: No

1939: James Stewart, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Oscar winner: Robert Donat, Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Was he nominated?: Yes

Updated: 9/5/14