The Legitimization of Awards

I don't believe that recognition from the Academy legitimizes one's career any more than one who does not receive an Oscar.  While receiving an Academy Award definitely would not hinder an actor/actresses career and future endeavors, I don't think they are a necessary for future success.  The Academy Awards are awarded by a small committee of persons whose views may not be in the popular mind of the masses - the people who hold the true power to eliminate or bolster a celebrity's career.  In an essay I read titled, Toward A Definition of Popular Culture, by Holt N. Parker, the argument was essentially that something is considered to be popular culture until it is recognized by an institution.  In other words, recognition is death.  Based off of that sort of, vague definition, one could argue that a large population of people could hold an esteemed view about an actor/actress that they value, and cease to maintain that opinion once the Academy dubs the silver-screen star as a "winner."