Each year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out a variety of awards for the best performances in the film industry both in front of and behind the camera. Since their inception in 1928, one of the most sought after awards is the Academy Award for performance by an actor in a leading role. During the first three years, nominees had their entire body of work in all of their films for that calendar year in consideration. The first ever winner was Emil Jannings, who received the award for his work in two films. Also in 1928, Charlie Chaplin was given a special award.

By 1931, the voting procedure was changed to recognize only one film per nominee, making the system of determining the best performance less confusing for voters. In 1932, Wallace Beery won the voting, but Fredric March came within 1 vote, at the time this meant both men won awards. The most recent winner of the award was Jeff Bridges for his portrayal of Bad Blake in Crazy Heart.

Daniel Day Lewis is the most recent double winner of this award, no actor has ever won this specific award more than twice in history. In addition to Day-Lewis, the other two-time award winners are: Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, and Jack Nicholson. Tracy and Hanks are the only men to win the award in consecutive years.