48 years - Katharine Hepburn was first nominated and won Best Actress for Morning Glory (1932/33) and then 48 years later was nominated and won Best Actress for On Golden Pond (1981)
41 years - Henry Fonda was first nominated in 1940 as Best Actor for The Grapes Of Wrath (1940), and didn't win an acting award (Best Actor) until 41 years later for On Golden Pond (1981)
40 years - Mickey Rooney was first nominated as Best Actor for Babes in Arms (1939) and then as Best Supporting Actor for The Black Stallion (1979), 40 years later, but he didn't win for either
39 years - Jack Palance was nominated as Best Supporting Actor for Sudden Fear (1952), but had to wait 39 years before his victory as Best Supporting Actor for City Slickers (1991). He was nominated one other time in his career, as Best Supporting Actor for Shane (1953)
38 years - Helen Hayes had to wait 38 years between her only Oscar nominations (both wins), Best Actress for The Sin of Madelon Claudet (1931/32), and Best Supporting Actress for Airport (1970)
37 years - Albert Finney was first nominated as Best Actor for Tom Jones (1963) and then 37 years later for Best Supporting Actor for Erin Brockovich (2000), and lost for both
