Who Should Win the 2014 Oscar for Best Actor? – Readers Poll

The 2014 Academy Awards season is in full swing! As we count down to the awards, we're taking a look at the contenders for Best Actor. Matthew McConaughey, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Bruce Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale were all nominated for the award. Who do you think should win the Oscar?

Matthew McConaughey proved he's a serious Oscar contender when he beat out heavyweights like Idris Elba, Tom Hanks and Robert Redford for the Best Actor Golden Globe. The actor wowed audiences with not only his extreme weight loss for the role in 'Dallas Buyers Club,' but his impressive performance in the film.

One of this year's biggest Oscar sweeps could come from ’12 Years a Slave.' Chiwetel Ejiofor scored a Best Actor nomination for his work in the historical drama. The film received widespread acclaim following its successful box office opening, with Chiwetel getting early Oscar buzz.

Following the premiere of 'Nebraska' at the Cannes Film Festival, Bruce Dern received praise for his role as a sweepstakes winner. The veteran actor already has one Academy Award to his name, but this part could finally land him the Oscar.

Although he was one of the youngest actors to receive an Academy Awards nomination, Leonardo DiCaprio still has yet to win a trophy. Will his fourth nod, for 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' be enough to earn him the win? Leo collected a Golden Globe for the part, which is a very good indication that he might claim the Oscar.

'American Hustle' scored nominations in all four acting categories, including Best Actor. Christian Bale's role as a con man has been well-received since the movie's release. Christian earned an Oscar in 2010 for his role in 'The Fighter,' but will he be able to help 'Hustle' sweep this year's awards?

Who do you think should win the Academy Award? You can vote once an hour until the poll closes on 7:59PM ET on March 2.