Josh Brolin, the veteran actor known for roles in 'Milk,' 'No Country for Old Men,' and the 'Dune' franchise, has only one Oscar nomination in a career spanning more than 40 years, according to a recent profile. That sole nod came for his portrayal of Dan White in Gus Van Sant's 2008 film 'Milk.' Despite appearing in two of the highest-grossing movies ever — 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Endgame' — and earning critical acclaim for his work in 'No Country for Old Men,' Brolin remains without an Academy Award.

One Oscar nomination in 40 years: The 'Milk' nod that didn't win

Brolin's only Academy Award nomination came for 'Milk,' in which he played the assassin of Harvey Milk. The profile notes that he lost the Best Supporting Actor prize to Heath Ledger for 'The Dark Knight' — a posthumous win that was widely seen as a tribute as much as a recognition of the performance. That 2009 ceremony remains Brolin's sole brush with an Oscar stage.

Since then, the actor has delivered acclaimed performances in films such as 'Sicario,' 'Hell or High Water,' and 'Deadpool 2,' but none have generated a second nomination. The article points out that his highest-grossing non-motion-capture film is 'Deadpool 2' (2018), which is now streaming on Disney+ in the United States and among the top video-on-demand purchases in several countries.

The 'No Country for Old Men' slight : Why Brolin was overlooked

According to the article,Brolin deserved an Oscar nomination for his lead role in the Coen brothers' 2007 neo-Western 'No Country for Old Men,' but the spotlight that year fell on co-star Javier Bardem, who won Best Supporting Actor for his chilling portrayal of Anton Chigurh. The article suggests that Brolin's work was overshadowed by Bardem's iconic performance, leaving him out of the race entirely despite the film winning Best Picture.

This pattern — excellent work in a celebrated film that is nonetheless eclipsed by a more showy co-star — has repeated in Brolin's career. In 'Dune,' he played Gurney Halleck, a role that the article confirms he will not reprise in 'Dune: Part Three' due later this year. The character is a fan favorite but operates in the shadow of Timothée Chalamet's Paul Atreides and Rebecca Ferguson's Lady Jessica.

Thanos and Dune: How blockbuster fame may hurt Oscar chances

Brolin's highest-grossing films are 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Endgame,' where he played the villain Thanos primarily through voice and motion capture. The article notes that his face was entirely hidden behind the CGI character. Critics have long debated whether motion-capture performances deserve Oscar recognition, and Brolin's case illustrates the divide: his physical and vocal work created one of the most memorable villains in cinema history, yet the Academy has never nominated a purely motion-capture role.

Similarly, his involvement in the 'Dune' franchise — a sprawling sci-fi epic that has won multiple Oscars in technical categories — has not translated into acting nominations. the article highlights that Brolin's absence from 'Dune: Part Three' marks a shift in his relationship with the blockbuster series, leaving fans to wonder whether his trajectory is moving away from such large-scale productions.

Will Brolin ever get a second nomination?

The open question, as the profile implies, is whether Brolin will ever receive another Academy Award nomination. He has not been nominated since 2009, despite a steady stream of high-profile work. The article does not quote Brolin himself on his award ambitions, leaving readers to speculate about his own perspective. Is he satisfied with commercial success and industry respect, or does he actively seek the prestige of an Oscar?

Another unknown is the timing. Brolin's upcoming projects — if any are announced — are not detailed in the source. Without a clear future role in a potential awards-season film, his path to a second nomination remains unclear. The article does not mention any recent critical darlings or upcoming collaborations with top-tier directors that might change his fortunes.