Lately, I've been gearing up for the Avengers movie by watching all the Marvel cinematic universe movies. While I was watching them it occurred to me how high the caliber of actor making these movies is. Many of the top box office stars are in them and quite a few Oscar winners too. So I set myself out to find out just how many Oscar winners have made superhero movies. Now for the record I'm only counting movies that have costumed superheroes in them. So even though Tom Hanks is an Oscar winner, and stared in The Road to Perdition which was based on material from a comic book, he is not included on the list. OK. Here is what I found.

JEFF BRIDGES IRON MAN (2008) Best actor 2009 best supporting actor 1995

KEVIN SPACEY SUPERMAN RETURNS(2006) Best actor 1999

JACK NICHOLSON BATMAN (1989) Best actor 1997, 1975 best supporting actor 1983

NICOLAS CAGE GHOST RIDER (2007)

GHOST RIDER : SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE (2012) Best actor 1995

ANTHONY HOPKINS THOR (2011) Best actor 1991

MARLON BRANDO SUPERMAN (1978)

SUPERMAN II (1980)

SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006) Best actor 1972

GENE HACKMAN SUPERMAN (1978)

SUPERMAN II (1980)

SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE (1987) Best actor 1971 best supporting actor 1992

CLIFF ROBERTSON SPIDER-MAN (2002) Best actor 1968

WILLIAM HURT THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2003) Best actor 1985

CHRISTIAN BALE BATMAN BEGINS (2005)

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012) best supporting actor 2010

MORGAN FREEMAN BATMAN BEGINS (2005)

THE DARK KNIGHHT (2008)

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012) best supporting actor 2004

MICHAEL CAINE BATMAN BEGINS (2005)

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012) best supporting actor 1999, 1986

HEATH LEDGER THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) best supporting actor 2008 (for his role in The Dark Knight)

GEORGE CLOONEY BATMAN AND ROBIN (1997) best supporting actor 2005

TOMMY LEE JONES BATMAN FOREVER (1995) best supporting actor 1993

CHRISTOPHER WALKEN BATMAN RETUTNS (1992) best supporting actor 1978

NATALIE PORTMAN THOR (2011) Best actress 2010

NICOLE KIDMAN BATMAN FOREVER (1995) Best actress 2002

HALLE BERRY X-MEN (2000)

X-2 (2003)

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (2006) Best actress 2001

GWYNETH PALTROW IRON MAN (2008)

IRON MAN II (2010)

THE AVENGERS (2012) Best actress 1998

FAYE DUNAWAY SUPERGIRL (1984) Best actress 1976

KIM BASINGER BATMAN ( 1989) best supporting actress 1997

ANNA PAQUIN X-MEN (2000)

X-2 (2003)

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (2006) best supporting actress 1993

JENNIFER CONNELLY THE HULK ( 2003)

THE ROCKETEER (1991) best supporting actress 2001

Heath Ledger is the only person to ever be nominated for a role in a superhero movie, AND HE WON THE OSCAR FOR THAT ROLE.