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A night of glory, then the void: 10 victims of the ‘Oscar curse’

Adrien Brody’s nomination for ‘The Brutalist’ may demonstrate that the challenges often associated with winning an Academy Award can be overcome. While many great actors have struggled to navigate the weight of such recognition, a select few have managed to rise above it

Can an award that every actor dreams of actually ruin a career? Given the number of stars who have suffered from it, the answer seems clear. While calling it a "curse" may be melodramatic, many who believe they’ve fallen victim to it refer to it that way, perhaps because coming to terms with their missteps — often driven by inflated egos and an inability to properly navigate their careers — can be more painful. Over the years, it’s also been dubbed "F. Murray Abraham syndrome," after the Oscar-winning supporting actor of 'Amadeus,' now a familiar face from 'Homeland,' 'Mythic Quest,' and 'The White Lotus.' It's also been called "Halle Berry's curse," referencing the artistic decline of the 'Monster's Ball' star. Some, like Berry, have never managed to regain the level of success their Oscar seemed to promise. Others, like Brody, have risen from the ashes.