Ward Bond appeared in more Best Picture-nominated movies than any other actor, and it is a record no one is likely to break. When most people think of Ward Bond, it is in terms of his work alongside John Wayne and director John Ford. He is a major Western icon and also appeared in several war movies throughout his career.

In his career, Ward Bond appeared in over 200 movies and this included a record-setting 13 Best Picture Oscar-nominated films. In many of the movies, he played a bit part, and in a few, he wasn’t even credited in the end. However, just being a part of so many great movies shows how respected Bond was throughout his career.

Ward Bond Has Appeared In 13 Best Picture-Nominated Movies

Ward Bond had an amazing career over his three decades in the movie and television industry. Bond appeared in over 200 movies, both in bit roles and starring roles, and even finished his career as the star of a Western TV show called Wagon Train. During his career, the actor achieved a huge milestone by appearing in 13 Oscar-nominated movies.

Of these movies, he was part of one of the greatest Oscar winners in history. Only three films won every major Oscar at the awards, and those movies were It Happened One Night, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Silence of the Lambs. Bond appeared in the first of those as an uncredited bus driver for Frank Capra.

Bond was also one of John Ford’s regulars, appearing in several Best Picture nominees for the director. Bond appeared in Arrowsmith as an uncredited cop, The Grapes of Wrath as a Needles Policeman, The Long Voyage Home as Yank, The Quiet Man as Father Peter Lonergan, and Mister Roberts as Dowdy.

Two other notable Oscar-nominated appearances include the film noir classic, The Maltese Falcon, and the Frank Capra holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. It should also be noted that Ward Bond himself was never nominated for an Oscar for acting, although his performances always stood out in his appearances.

Is There Anyone With A Chance Of Catching Up To Ward Bond’s Record?

There are a couple of actors who have a chance to match Ward Bond, but time is running low for one of them. Robert De Niro is right behind Bond with 11 Oscar-nominated movies he starred in. His first Oscar-nominated film was The Godfather Part II in 1974, with his most recent being Killers of the Flower Moon in 2023.

Someone with a better chance might be Leonardo DiCaprio, who has appeared in 10 Best Picture nominees. At only 50, he has plenty of time to add more to that list. His first came in 1997 with тιтanic, and along with De Niro, he also appeared in Killers of the Flower Moon in 2023.

Cate Blanchett, Tom Hanks, and Jack Nicholson have also been in 10 Best Picture-nominated films. Blanchett (56) has as good a chance as DiCaprio to break the record, while Hanks (69) could also catch Ward Bond. Jack Nicholson (88), however, is retired from acting.