Comedy Oscar Winners

The Academy has long preferred dramatic performances. Sometimes, however, an actor squeezes by with a comedic role. Here's a look at the most notable Oscar Winners who've nabbed a statue for a funny performance.

Jean Dujardin

"The Artist"

Best Actor

2012

Penelope Cruz

"Vicki Cristina Barcelona"

Best Supporting Actress

2009

Alan Arkin
"Little Miss Sunshine"
Best Supporting Actor
2007

Roberto Benigni

"Life is Beautiful"

Best Actor

1999

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

"Jerry Maguire"

Best Supporting Actor

1997

Mira Sorvino

"Mighty Aphrodite"

Best Supporting Actress

1996

Dianne Wiest
"Bullets Over Broadway:
Best Supporting Actor
1995

Marisa Tomei

"My Cousin Vinny"

Best Supporting Actress

1993

Whoopi Goldberg
"Ghost"
Best Supporting Actress"
1991

Kevin Kline
"A Fish Called Wanda"
Best Supporting Actor
1989

Diane Keaton

"Annie Hall"

Best Actress

1978

Richard Dreyfuss

"The Goodbye Girl"

Best Actor
1978

Tatum O'Neal
"Paper Moon"
Best Supporting Actor
1974

Lee Marvin

"Cat Ballou"
Best Actor
1966

James Stewart

"The Philadelphia Story"
Best Actor
1941

Claudette Colbert
"It Happened One Night"
Best Actress
1935 

Clark Gable

"It Happened One Night"
Best Actor
1935

Oscar Photos

Christopher Plummer (Best Supporting Actor)

Octavia Spencer (Best Supporting Actress)

Meryl Streep (Best Actress)

Jean Dujardin (Best Actor)

2012

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Oscar Photos

The Best Actor Nominees: Gary Oldman, Jean Dujardin,

Demian Bichir, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney, 2012