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In 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences began awarding on- and off-screen filmmakers for their annual achievements.
Standout movies and the people who make them happen are honored with golden statuettes and coveted titles at the ceremony, including the highly sought-after Best Actress award.
Each year, another name is added to the list of actresses who’ve claimed the Oscar.
2024: Emma Stone,Poor Things
Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty
Emma Stonewon her second Oscar in 2024 for her uninhibited role inPoor Thingsand accepted it whilelaughing off her gown’s broken zipper.She thanked her family, husband and young daughterLouise Jean, saying, “And, most importantly, my daughter, who’s gonna be 3 in three days and has turned our lives Technicolor,I love you bigger than the whole sky, my girl.”
2023: Michelle Yeoh,Everything Everywhere All at Once
Michelle Yeohmade history as the first Asian actressto win in the category for her leading performance as Evelyn Wang in the absurdist action film.Everything Everywhere All at Oncealsowon the Oscar for Best Pictureand picked up awards in five other categories.
2022: Jessica Chastain,The Eyesof Tammy Faye
Jessica Chastainnabbed Best Actress for her portrayal of the late televangelist personalityTammy Faye Bakkerin the 2021 biographical film.
2021: Frances McDormand,Nomadland
Frances McDormand accepts the Best Actress Oscar for ‘Nomadland’ onstage during the 93rd annual Academy Awards on April 25, 2021.AMPAS/ABC via Getty
AMPAS/ABC via Getty
Frances McDormand’s award-winning character, Fern, sells her possessions and embarks on a nomadic life, driving a van around the country after the death of her husband. Thismarked McDormand’s third Best Actress win.
Nomadlandalsoreceived the Oscar for Best Pictureand Best Director forChloé Zhao(the first Asian woman to be nominated in this category and the second woman ever to win it).
2020: Renée Zellweger,Judy
Kevin Winter/Getty
Renée Zellweger’s portrayal of Hollywood iconJudy Garlandearned her the Best Actress Oscar for the 2019 biopic.
Zellweger honored Garland — who never won an Oscar — in her acceptance speech, saying, “I have to say that this past year of conversation celebrating Judy Garland across generations and across cultures has been a really cool reminder thatit’s our heroes that unite us now.” This was the second Oscar win for Zellweger, having earned a Best Supporting Actress statuette in 2004 forCold Mountain.
2019: Olivia Colman,The Favourite
Olivia Colman poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘The Favourite’ during the 91st annual Academy Awards at the Governors Ball in Los Angeles on Feb. 24, 2019.Michael Buckner/REX/Shutterstock
As a first-time nominee,Olivia Colmantook home the trophyfor her performance inThe Favouriteas Queen Anne, the real-life ruler of Great Britain in the 18th century.
2018: Frances McDormand,Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
2017: Emma Stone,La La Land
Emma Stone accepts the Best Actress Oscar for ‘La La Land’ onstage during the 89th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 26, 2017.Eddy Chen/ABC
In the romantic musical set in L.A., Stone’s turn as aspiring actress Mia Dolan inLa La Landearned her Best Actress in 2017.
2016: Brie Larson,Room
Christopher Polk/Getty
2015: Julianne Moore,Still Alice
Julianne Moorewon for her performance as Alice, a linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
2014: Cate Blanchett,Blue Jasmine
Cate Blanchett poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Blue Jasmine’ in the press room at the 86th annual Academy Awards in L.A. on March 2, 2014.Dan MacMedan/WireImage
Dan MacMedan/WireImage
Cate Blanchettnabbed the Best Actress award thanks to her leading role inWoody Allen’s 2013 dramedy about a New York City socialite who has fallen on hard times. She previously earned an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category for playing Katharine Hepburn inMartin Scorsese’sHoward Hughesbiopic,The Aviator(2004).
2013: Jennifer Lawrence,Silver Linings Playbook
Though she famously (and elegantly)tripped on the stairsas she made her way up to the Oscars stage,Jennifer Lawrenceaccepted the award for her starring role as Tiffany, a young widow struggling with her mental health, inSilver Linings Playbook(2012).
2012: Meryl Streep,The Iron Lady
Meryl Streep poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘The Iron Lady’ in the press room at the 84th annual Academy Awards at the Hollywood & Highland Center on Feb. 26, 2012.Jason Merritt/Getty
Jason Merritt/Getty
Streep won for her portrayal ofMargaret Thatcherin the 2011 biographical drama of the first female British Prime Minister.
2011: Natalie Portman,Black Swan
Natalie Portman poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Black Swan’ in the press room during the 83rd annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2011.Jason Merritt/Getty
Natalie Portmanearned the Best Actress award for her lead performance as Nina Sayers, a professional dancer who suffers a nervous breakdown under the pressure of her lead role as the White Swan in the famed balletSwan Lake.
2010: Sandra Bullock,The Blind Side
Sandra Bullock accepts the award for Best Actress for her role in ‘The Blind Side’ during the 82nd annual Academy Awards at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on March 7, 2010.GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty
In the big-screen adaptation of this true story,Sandra Bullockplayed Leigh Anne Tuohy, the resolute Southern mother who adopts teen Michael Oher. In real life and the film, Oher went on to become a first-round NFL draft pick.
2009: Kate Winslet,The Reader
Kate Winslet speaks onstage after winning the Best Actress award for ‘The Reader’ during the 81st annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on Feb. 22, 2009.Kevin Winter/Getty
Kate Winsletwon for her role as Hanna Schmitz, a former Nazi guard who is tried for the war crimes she committed at Auschwitz.
2008: Marion Cotillard,La Vie en Rose
Marion Cotillard accepts the Best Actress Oscar for ‘La Vie en Rose’ onstage during the 80th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on Feb. 24, 2008.Michael Caulfield/WireImage
Michael Caulfield/WireImage
Marian Cotillardtook home the trophy for her portrayal of French singerÉdith Piafin the musical biopic named for her most famous song.
2007: Helen Mirren,The Queen
Helen Mirren accepts Best Actress for ‘The Queen’ onstage during the 79th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on Feb. 25, 2007.Michael Caulfield/WireImage
Helen Mirrenearned the Oscar for her performance asQueen Elizabeth IIin the British biopic set after the death ofPrincess Diana.
2006: Reese Witherspoon,Walk the Line
Reese Witherspoon accepts Best Actress for ‘Walk the Line’ during the 78th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on March 5, 2006.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty
Reese Witherspoontook home the Best Actress award for her depiction ofJune Carter, the object of Johnny Cash’s (Joaquin Phoenix) affection and his eventual wife, in both the biopic and real life.
Hilary Swankwon her second Best Actress Oscar for her role as Maggie Fitzgerald, an up-and-coming boxer, inClint Eastwood’s sports drama.
2004: Charlize Theron,Monster
Charlize Theron poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Monster’ during the 76th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on Feb. 29, 2004.Frank Micelotta/Getty
In the 2003 crime drama,Charlize Theronplays real-life criminalAileen Wuornos. Her semi-fictional portrayal of the serial killerearned Theron the coveted acting award.
2003: Nicole Kidman,The Hours
Nicole Kidman accepts Best Actress for ‘The Hours’ during the 75th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on March 23, 2003.courtesy of A.M.P.A.S. via Getty
courtesy of A.M.P.A.S. via Getty
Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of 20th-century writer Virginia Woolf earned her Best Actress in 2003.The Hoursalso starred fellow Best Actress winners Moore and Streep.
2002: Halle Berry,Monster’s Ball
Halle Berry poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Monster’s Ball’ during the 74th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on March 24, 2002.Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty
Halle Berrybecame the first Black woman to winin the category with her performance as Leticia Musgrove, the widow of a convicted murderer. Berry’s character finds new love in a man whom she eventually discovers assisted in her late husband’s execution.
2001: Julia Roberts,Erin Brockovich
Julia Roberts celebrates her Best Actress win for ‘Erin Brockovich’ onstage during the 73rd annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on March 25, 2001.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty
Julia Robertsfought the Pacific Gas & Electric Company as the titular character in this dramatic portrayal ofErin Brockovich’s real-life class action lawsuit against the corporation.
While accepting Best Actress onstage, Roberts, with her megawatt smile, said at the podium, “I love the whole world. I’msohappy. Thank you.”
2000: Hilary Swank,Boys Don’t Cry
Hilary Swank holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ onstage during the 72nd annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 26, 2000.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty
Swank’s win for playing Brandon Teena in 1999’sBoys Don’t Crymade her one of only three actresses to win the Best Actress award twice before the age of 30. (Luise RainerandJodie Fosterare the other two stars to claim this achievement.)
1999: Gwyneth Paltrow,Shakespeare in Love
Gwyneth Paltrow poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Shakespeare in Love’ during the 71st annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 21, 1999.vogue
In the period dramaShakespeare in Love,Gwyneth Paltrowplays the muse and lover of William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes). Her performance as the fictional Viola de Lesseps also stole the hearts of the Academy, and Paltrow took home the Oscar for Best Actress.
1998: Helen Hunt,As Good as It Gets
Helen Hunt poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘As Good as It Gets’ during the 70th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 23, 1998.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Helen Hunt’s portrayal of Carol Connelly, a struggling working mother, landed her the title of Best Actress in 1998.
1997: Frances McDormand,Fargo
Frances McDormand poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Fargo’ backstage at the 69th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 24, 1997.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
1996: Susan Sarandon,Dead Man Walking
Susan Sarandon poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Dead Man Walking’ backstage at the 68th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 25, 1996.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
Susan Sarandonsnagged the Best Actress honor for her portrayal of Sister Helen Prejean, the spiritual counselor of a death row inmate (Sean Penn) in Louisiana.
1995: Jessica Lange,Blue Sky
Jessica Lange poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Blue Sky’ backstage during the 67th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 27, 1995.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
Jessica Lange’s portrayal of Carly Marshall — a woman struggling with her mental health and the domestic confines of her role as an army officer’s wife living on a military base — earned her the Best Actress trophy forBlue Skyin 1995.
1994: Holly Hunter,The Piano
Holly Hunter holds her Best Actress Oscar in the press room for ‘The Piano’ during the 66th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 21, 1994.Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
Holly Hunterpicked up an Oscar for her performance in 1993’sThe Pianoas Ada McGrath, a mute Scottish pianist who expresses herself through the music she plays.
1993: Emma Thompson,Howards End
Emma Thompson holds up her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Howards End’ during the 65th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 29, 1993.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Emma Thompsonwon Best Actress for her performance as Margaret Schlegel in the period drama based on E.M. Forster’s novel of the same name.
1992: Jodie Foster,The Silence of the Lambs
Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster pose with their Best Actor and Actress Oscars for ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ during the 64th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 30, 1992.John Barr/Liaison/Getty
Foster’s iconic role as FBI trainee Clarice Starling won the actress her second Best Actress accolade, making Foster the second woman to win it twice before the age of 30 years old.
1991: Kathy Bates,Misery
Kathy Bates shows off her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Misery’ in the press room during the 63rd annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 25, 1991.Vinnie Zuffante/Getty
Vinnie Zuffante/Getty
Kathy Bates won for her performance as manically obsessive Annie Wilkes in the film adaptation ofStephen King’s psychological thriller novel.
1990: Jessica Tandy,Driving Miss Daisy
Jessica Tandy holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ during the 62nd annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 26, 1990.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty
At age 80, Jessica Tandy won the Best Actress award for her performance as Daisy Werthan in the dramedy, making her the oldest star to win in the category to date.
1989: Jodie Foster,The Accused
Jodie Foster poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘The Accused’ in the press room during the 61st Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on Feb. 15, 1989.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Foster took home her first Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Sarah Tobias, a victim of sexual assault, in the legal drama.
1988: Cher,Moonstruck
Cher holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Moonstruck’ during the 60th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on April 11, 1988.Darlene Hammond/Getty
Darlene Hammond/Getty
InMoonstruck,Cherplays Loretta Castorini, a widow engaged to a man (Danny Aiello) she doesn’t love — instead, she loves his brother (Nicolas Cage). The heartfelt performance earned the “Goddess of Pop” her only Oscar win. Cher had been nominated four years prior for her supporting performance in the biographical whistleblower dramaSilkwood.
1987: Marlee Matlin,Children of a Lesser God
Marlee Matlin signs ‘I Love You’ backstage while holding her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Children of a Lesser God’ during the 59th annual Academy Awards at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 30, 1987.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
At 21 years old,Marlee Matlinmade history as the youngest person to win Best Actress in 1987andthe first deaf person to win an Oscar for her film debut in the role of janitor Sarah Norman.
1986: Geraldine Page,A Trip to Bountiful
Geraldine Page holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘A Trip to Bountiful’ in the press room during the 58th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 24, 1986.Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty
Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty
Geraldine Page won Best Actress for her performance as Carrie Watts, an elderly woman who journeys back to her hometown — the fictional haven of Bountiful, Texas — against the advice of her doctor and family members.
1985: Sally Field,Places in the Heart
Sally Field holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Places in the Heart’ in the press room during the 57th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 25, 1985.Time Life Pictures/Getty
Sally Fieldtook home her second Best Actress Oscar for her lead role as Edna Spalding, a widowed mother handling life in Texas during the Great Depression. It was during this acceptance speech where she said the often misquoted, “I can’t deny the fact that you like me.Right now, you like me.”
1984: Shirley MacLaine,Terms of Endearment
Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine pose with their Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress Oscars, respectively, for ‘Terms of Endearment’ at the 56th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 9, 1984.Fotos International/Getty
Fotos International/Getty
Shirley MacLaine’s Best Actress-winning performance inTerms of Endearmentsees her as Aurora Greenway, a mother struggling with her daughter’s (Debra Winger) coming of age and the death of her husband Rudyard (Albert Brooks).
1983: Meryl Streep,Sophie’s Choice
Meryl Streep poses backstage after winning Best Actress for ‘Sophie’s Choice’ during the 55th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 11, 1983.Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Streep’s heartwrenching portrayal of Zofia “Sophie” Zawistowski earned the actress her second Academy Award.
The Hollywood icon holds the record for most nominations at 21 (and counting!) — 17 for Best Actress and four for Best Supporting Actress. She won in the latter category in 1980 forKramer vs. Kramer, starring oppositeDustin Hoffman.
1982: Katharine Hepburn,On Golden Pond
Hepburn won her last of four total Best Actress Oscars for her performance as Ethel Thayer inOn Golden Pond. ActorJon Voightaccepted the award on her behalf during the ceremony.
1981: Sissy Spacek,Coal Miner’s Daughter
Sissy Spacek receives the Best Actress Oscar for ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ during the 53rd annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 31, 1981.Bettmann/Getty Images
Sissy Spacekwon for her leading performance in this 1980 biopic ofLoretta Lynn’s journey to country music glory.
1980: Sally Field,Norma Rae
Sally Field poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Norma Rae’ during the 52nd annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 14, 1980.Barbara Rosen/IMAGES/Getty
Barbara Rosen/IMAGES/Getty
Field nabbed her first Best Actress award for her performance as a resilient cotton mill employee who organizes a union to advocate for her fellow workers' rights.
1979: Jane Fonda,Coming Home
Jane Fonda holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Coming Home’ in the press room during the 51st annual Academy Awards at the the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 9, 1979.Paul Harris/Getty
Paul Harris/Getty
For her performance as disillusioned army wife Sally Hyde,Jane Fondawon her second Best Actress Oscar.
1978: Diane Keaton,Annie Hall
Diane Keaton with her Best Actress Oscar at the 50th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 3, 1978.Everett
In this romantic comedy,Diane Keatonplays the elusive girlfriend of Woody Allen’s neurotic lead role, and she took home the trophy for her spirited performance.
1977: Faye Dunaway,Network
Faye Dunaway holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Network’ onstage during the 49th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 28, 1977.Tony Korody/getty
Tony Korody/getty
For her role as Diana Christensen, an uptight, determined television executive, the Academy namedFaye Dunawaythe Best Actress of that awards season.
1976: Louise Fletcher,One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Louise Fletcher accepts the Best Actress Oscar for ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ onstage during the 48th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 29, 1976.Bettmann Archive/Getty
Bettmann Archive/Getty
Louise Fletcherearned widespread acclaim for her portrayal of heartless, hostile Nurse Mildred Ratched, who oversees the mental institution inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
The film became the second in Academy history to win the “Big Five” Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay). The only other two movies to achieve this distinction so far areIt Happened One Night(1934) andThe Silence of the Lambs(1991).
1975: Ellen Burstyn,Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
Ellen Burstynwon Best Actress for her performance as Alice Hyatt, a widow who seeks a fresh start with her son in California, away from her old life in New Mexico. Burstyn didn’t attend the ceremony, but her director, Martin Scorsese, accepted the statuette on her behalf.
1974: Glenda Jackson,A Touch of Class
Glenda Jackson holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘A Touch of Class’ while in the U.K. on April 8, 1974.Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty
For her role as divorced London-based mother Vickie Allessio,Glenda Jacksonpicked up her second Best Actress Oscar in 1974.
1973: Liza Minnelli,Cabaret
Liza Minnelli holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Cabaret’ during the 45th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on March 27, 1973.Getty
Getty
Liza Minnelliplays lively American performer Sally Bowles in the iconic Bob Fosse musical set during the rise of Nazi Germany. She took home the Oscar for her buoyant yet nuanced portrayal of the rising star.
1972: Jane Fonda,Klute
Jane Fonda poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Klute’ during the 44th annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 10, 1972.Getty Images
This neo-noir crime drama features Fonda in the leading role of Bree Daniels, an escort with acting aspirations who becomes entangled in a missing persons mystery. The character earned Fonda her first Academy Award.
1971: Glenda Jackson,Women in Love
Jackson won her first Best Actress Oscar for her performance as Gudrun Brangwen, an intellectual woman and artist living in England during the early 20th century.
1970: Maggie Smith,The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Maggie Smithportrays an unlikely teacher at an all-girls school in Scotland, one who often lauds the likes of Mussolini, Franco and other fascists. Her performance as the eccentric educator earned Smith her only Best Actress Oscar. (She won for Best Supporting Actress in 1979 forCalifornia Suite.)
Designing WomenandBewitchedactress Alice Ghostley accepted the statuette on Smith’s behalf at the 1970 ceremony.
1969: Katharine Hepburn,The Lion in Winter& Barbra Streisand,Funny Girl
Ingrid Bergman looks on after presenting Barbra Streisand with the Best Actress Oscar for ‘Funny Girl’ during the 41st annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in L.A. on April 14, 1969.Bettmann/Getty
Two stars took home the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1969, one of six ties in Oscars history to date: Hepburn, for her role as Eleanor Aquitaine inThe Lion in Winter, andBarbra Streisand, for her portrayal of Fanny Brice inFunny Girl.
1968: Katharine Hepburn,Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
For her performance as Christina Drayton, a progressive thinker married to a conservative man, Hepburn earned her second Best Actress accolade.
1967: Elizabeth Taylor,Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor attend the BAFTA Awards at Grosvenor House in London on April 26, 1967, with Taylor displaying her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'.Trevor Humphries/Central Press/Getty
1966: Julie Christie,Darling
Julie Christie holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Darling’ at the awards reception during the 38th annual Academy Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on April 18, 1966.Keystone/Getty
Keystone/Getty
Julie Christie won for her performance as Diana Scott, a British model and actress who finds fame and success in her career but questions her virtues and the depth of her relationships along the way.
1965: Julie Andrews,Mary Poppins
Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews pose with their Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress for ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Mary Poppins,’ respectively, during the 37th annual Academy Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on April 5, 1965.Bettmann/Getty
Bettmann/Getty
For her whimsical performance as the famed magical caretaker in the Walt Disney musicalMary Poppins,Julie Andrewstook home the Oscar for Best Actress.
1964: Patricia Neal,Hud
In this Western drama,Patricia Nealportrays Alma Brown, the housekeeper of a rancher family and love interest of the titular character (Paul Newman). For her strong-willed performance, Neal won the Oscar for Best Actress.
1963: Anne Bancroft,The Miracle Worker
Anne Bancroft phones relatives from her home in New York with the news of her Best Actress win for ‘The Miracle Worker’ on April 8, 1963.Bettmann/Getty
Anne Bancroftnabbed the Best Actress award for playing Anne Sullivan in this biopic of Helen Keller’s tutor.
1962: Sophia Loren,Two Women
Sophia Loren reacts after winning Best Actress for ‘La Ciociara’ (‘Two Women’) during the 34th annual Academy Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on April 9, 1962.Hulton Archive/Getty
Hulton Archive/Getty
The 1961 film featuresSophia Lorenin the lead role of Cesira, a widow, shopkeeper and mother raising her daughter in Rome during World War II. The Italian American star took home the Best Actress award for her emotional portrayal.
1961: Elizabeth Taylor,BUtterfield 8
Elizabeth Taylor is photographed with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘BUtterfield 8’ during the 33rd annual Academy Awards at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in California on April 17, 1961.Archive Photos/Getty
Taylor earned her first Academy Award as Gloria Wandrous in the 1960 dramaBUtterfield 8, where she plays a beautiful yet troubled woman navigating her affair with a married man (Laurence Harvey).
1960: Simone Signoret,Room at the Top
Simone Signoret poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Room at the Top’ alongside presenter Rock Hudson during the 32nd annual Academy Awards at the RKO Pantages Theatre in L.A. on April 4, 1960.Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Simone Signoret was named Best Actress for her role in the 1959 film adaptation of the eponymous bookRoom at the Top. Signoret starsasAlice Aisgill, a married, wealthy and unsatisfied woman who begins an affair with a younger, working-class man (Laurence Harvey).
1959: Susan Hayward,I Want to Live!
Susan Hayward holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘I Want to Live!’ during the 31st annual Academy Awards at the RKO Pantages Theatre in L.A. on April 6, 1959.Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty
Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty
I Want to Live!seesSusan Haywardas real-life criminal Barbara Graham, who faced the death penalty after being charged with the murder of an older woman. Hayward won Best Actress for her complex portrayal of the character.
1958: Joanne Woodward,The Three Faces of Eve
Joanne Woodward poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘The Three Faces of Eve’ during the 30th annual Academy Awards at the RKO Pantages Theatre in L.A. on March 26, 1958.Getty Images
In 1957’sThe Three Faces of Eve,Joanne Woodwardplays a woman who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder. The star won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayals of each of her character’s personalities: Eve White, Eve Black and Jane.
1957: Ingrid Bergman,Anastasia
Ingrid Bergmanwon her second Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of the titular character in this period drama. Bergman plays a girl who claims to be the daughter of Russia’s last Tsar and, therefore, the only Romanov family member who escaped execution. (She would later win a third Oscar, for her supporting role in 1974’sMurder on the Orient Express.)
1956: Anna Magnani,The Rose Tattoo
Anna Magnani smiles while receiving the news in Italy that she was named Best Actress at the 28th annual Academy Awards on March 21, 1956.Bettmann Archive
Best Actress winner Anna Magnani took home the coveted award for her on-screen work as Serafina Delle Rose, an Italian American seamstress living in Louisiana with her daughter and husband, who is killed early on in this film adaptation of the Tennessee Williams play.
1955: Grace Kelly,The Country Girl
Grace Kelly poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘The Country Girl’ during the 27th annual Academy Awards at the RKO Pantages Theatre in L.A. on March 30, 1955.Bettmann/Getty
1954: Audrey Hepburn,Roman Holiday
Audrey Hepburn holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Roman Holiday’ during the 26th annual Academy Awards at the RKO Pantages Theatre in L.A. on March 25, 1954.Getty
Audrey Hepburnwon for her role as Princess Ann, a bored royal who visits Rome on stately duties but instead enjoys the Italian city alongside an American reporter (Gregory Peck).
1953: Shirley Booth,Come Back, Little Sheba
Shirley Booth poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Come Back, Little Sheba’ during the 25th annual Academy Awards at RKO Pantages Theatre in L.A. on March 19, 1953.Bettmann/Getty
InCome Back, Little Sheba, Shirley Booth plays housewife Lola Delaney, whose troubled life has left her unhappy and lonely despite her marriage to Doc (Burt Lancaster). The heartbreaking portrayal won Booth the award for Best Actress.
Adapted for the big screen from the Tennessee Williams’ play of the same name, Vivien Leigh took home Best Actress for her performance as Blanche DuBois, a former Mississippi-based schoolteacher who travels to New Orleans to live with family as she deals with her tumultuous past.
1951: Judy Holliday,Born Yesterday
Judy Holliday took home the Best Actress accolade for her portrayal of the naturally gifted (though not formally educated) Emma “Billie” Dawn. Billie falls in love with a journalist (William Holden), whom her husband, Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford), hires to teach her about manners and culture.
1950: Olivia de Havilland,The Heiress
Olivia de Havilland proudly displays her Best Actress Oscar for ‘The Heiress’ on March 25, 1950.Bettmann Archive
Oliva de Havillandwon her second Best Actress honor, this time for her portrayal of Catherine Sloper, the reserved and awkward daughter of a wealthy New York City doctor (Ralph Richardson) who disapproves of the young man (Montgomery Clift) with whom she falls in love.
1949: Jane Wyman,Johnny Belinda
Jane Wyman poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Johnny Belinda’ during the 21st annual Academy Awards held at the Academy Theater in Hollywood, Calif., on March 24, 1949.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
In her Oscar-winning performance,Jane Wymanstars as Belinda MacDonald, a deaf-mute woman who finds companionship in a physician (Lew Ayres) before a tragic incident further ostracizes her from her community.
1948: Loretta Young,The Farmer’s Daughter
Loretta Young and Ronald Colman pose with the Oscars they received as Best Actress and Actor during the 19th annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 13, 1947.Bettmann Archive
Loretta Young was named Best Actress for her role as Katie Holstrom, a maid turned congresswoman, inThe Farmer’s Daughter.
1947: Olivia de Havilland,To Each His Own
Olivia de Havilland holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘To Each His Own’ alongside presenter Ray Milland during the 19th Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on March 13, 1947.Archive Photos/Getty
Archive Photos/Getty
For her award-winning performance in this drama set during World War II, de Havilland plays Jody Norris, a woman reckoning with her decision to give up a son she had out of wedlock.
1946: Joan Crawford,Mildred Pierce
Joan Crawford holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Mildred Pierce’ while making a telephone call from her bed in March 1946.Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Joan Crawford won Best Actress for her titular performance in the melodramaMildred Pierce. Since sheclaimed to have pneumoniaat the time of the ceremony, Crawford accepted the award from the comfort of her bed.
1945: Ingrid Bergman,Gaslight
Ingrid Bergman (left) receives her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Gaslight’ from Jennifer Jones during the 17th annual Academy Awards at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in L.A. on March 15, 1945.Bettmann/Getty
In the psychological thrillerGaslight, Bergman plays Paula Alquist, a woman who moves into the house where her aunt was murdered. The role earned her the Oscar for Best Actress that year, her first of three Academy Awards for acting.
1944: Jennifer Jones,The Song of Bernadette
Paul Lukas holds his Best Actor Oscar for ‘Watch on the Rhine’ and Jennifer Jones holds her Oscar for Best Actress for ‘The Song of Bernadette’ during the 16th annual Academy Awards at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in L.A. on March 2, 1944.Archive Photos/Getty
Jennifer Jones won for her portrayal of Bernadette Soubirous in the biopic of a girl who claimed to have seen visions of the Virgin Mary.
1943: Greer Garson,Mrs. Miniver
Greer Garson won Best Actress for her performance as English housewife Kay Miniver, who is coping with the ongoing global conflict of World War II while navigating family challenges.
1942: Joan Fontaine,Suspicion
Joan Fontaine holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Suspicion’ alongside Gary Cooper at the 14th annual Academy Awards at the Biltmore Hotel in L.A. on Feb. 26, 1942.Hulton Archive/Getty
Joan Fontaineplays the naive Lina McLaidlaw, a woman who falls for and marries a man (Cary Grant) whom she suspects is plotting to murder her. The actress’ performance inAlfred Hitchock’s psychological drama earned her an Oscar win.
1941: Ginger Rogers,Kitty Foyle
James Stewart and Ginger Rogers pose with their Oscars for ‘The Philadelphia Story’ and ‘Kitty Foyle,’ respectively, during the 13th annual Academy Awards at the Biltmore Hotel in L.A. on Feb. 27, 1941.Hulton Archive/Getty
In this film adaptation, Ginger Rogers plays the titular character, a saleswoman grappling with a life-changing decision between two men and her future.
1940: Vivien Leigh,Gone with the Wind
Vivien Leigh holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘Gone with the Wind’ on March 2, 1940.Bettmann / Getty
Bettmann / Getty
Leigh won her first Best Actress Oscar for her role as Scarlett O’Hara, a plantation owner’s daughter, in this epic (albeit controversial) romance set in the South during the American Civil War.
1939: Bette Davis,Jezebel
Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis pose with their Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress for ‘Boys Town’ and ‘Jezebel,’ respectively, at the 11th annual Academy Awards at the Biltmore Hotel in L.A. on Feb. 23, 1939.Bettmann Archive
Bette Davistook home the Oscar for Best Actress for a second time for her performance as Julie Marsden, a Southern belle engaged to a man (Henry Fonda) whom she drives away with her promiscuous behavior. She would not win again in this category, despite an additional eight nominations, bringing her total career nods to 11. (She did win twice, though!)
1938: Luise Rainer,The Good Earth
Luise Rainer holds her Best Actress Oscar for ‘The Good Earth’ during the 10th annual Academy Awards at the Biltmore Hotel in L.A. on March 10, 1938.Bettmann Archive
Rainer became the first woman to win two Best Actress Oscars before the age of 30, following her award-winning performance as O-Lan inThe Good Earth.
1937: Luise Rainer,The Great Ziegfeld
In the musical drama, Rainer plays Anna Held, a French star who falls for an American performer (William Powell). The role won Rainer her first Oscar.
1936: Bette Davis,Dangerous
Davis won her first Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Joyce Heath, an actress pushed out of the Hollywood mainstream due to her scandalous streak.
1935: Claudette Colbert,It Happened One Night
Shirley Temple (left) presents Claudette Colbert the Best Actress Oscar for ‘It Happened One Night’ during the 7th annual Academy Awards at the Biltmore Hotel in L.A. on Feb. 27, 1935.Hulton Archive/Getty
Shirley Templepresented Claudette Colbert with her Best Actress Oscar when she won for her portrayal of heiress Ellie Andrews in the 1934 romantic comedy.It Happened One Nightwas the first film to win the “Big Five” Oscars.
1934: Katharine Hepburn,Morning Glory
Hepburn, who still holds the record for most Best Actress wins, started her winning streak when she received the award for her performance inMorning Glory. She played the determined, aspiring actress Eva Lovelace in the drama.
1933: Helen Hayes,The Sin of Madelon Claudet
Louis B. Mayer presents the Best Actress Oscar to Helen Hayes for ‘The Sin of Madelon Claudet’ during the 5th annual Academy Awards in L.A. on Nov. 18, 1932.Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Helen Hayes won for her portrayal of Madelon Claudet, a French woman who turns to a life of crime to support her son after she is wrongly imprisoned.
1932: Marie Dressler,Min and Bill
Marie Dressler holds her Oscar for Best Actress and Lionel Barrymore for Best Actor for their roles in ‘Min and Bill’ and ‘A Free Soul,’ respectively, during the 4th annual Academy Awards on Nov. 10, 1931.Bettmann Archive
Marie Dressler’s award-winning performance as Min Divot sees her running a dockside inn and caring for her daughter.
1931: Norma Shearer,The Divorcee
Norma Shearer poses with her Best Actress Oscar for ‘The Divorcee’ during the 3rd annual Academy Awards at a banquet held in the Fiesta Room of the Ambassador Hotel in L.A. on Nov. 5, 1930.AP
InThe Divorcee, Norma Shearer plays Jerry Martin, a woman who discovers her husband (Chester Morris) is having an affair and has her own in retaliation.
1930: Mary Pickford,Coquette
Mary Pickford poses with her Best Actress Oscar for Coquette at the 2nd annual Academy Awards held at an awards banquet in the Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel on April 3, 1930.Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
Mary Pickford’s winning performance inCoquettesees her as a headstrong, wealthy woman who falls in love with a simple man (Johnny Mack Brown) of whom her father doesn’t approve.
1929: Janet Gaynor,7th Heaven,Street AngelandSunrise
Douglas Fairbanks presents Janet Gaynor with the first Academy Award for Best Actress for ‘Seventh Heaven,’ ‘Street Angel’ and ‘Sunrise’ at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in L.A. on May 16, 1929.Bettmann Archive
At the first-ever Academy Awards in 1929, Janet Gaynor took home the Best Actress award forthreedifferent characters she’d played in the two years prior: Diane in the 1927 film7th Heaven, Angela in the 1928 dramaStreet Angeland the Wife inSunrise.
source: people.com
