Academy Award for Best Actress

The Academy Award for Best Actress is awarded for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a movie. The award is presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 

 Winners 
Winners are listed first in colored row, followed by the other nominees.

1920s
 Year Actress Film Character 1927/281st Academy Awards Janet Gaynor Seventh Heaven / Street Angel / Sunrise Diane / Angela / The Wife - Indre Louise Dresser A Ship Comes In Mrs. Pleznik Gloria Swanson Sadie Thompson Sadie Thompson 1928/292nd Academy Awards Mary Pickford Coquette Norma Besant Ruth Chatterton Madame X Jacqueline Floriot Betty Compson The Barker Carrie Jeanne Eagels (posthumous nomination) The Letter Leslie Crosbie Corinne Griffith The Divine Lady Emma, Lady Hamilton Bessie Love The Broadway Melody Hank Mahoney

1930s
 Year Actress Film Character 1929/303rd Academy Awards Norma Shearer The Divorcee Jerry Bernard Martin Nancy Carroll The Devil's Holiday Hallie Hobart Ruth Chatterton Sarah and Son Sarah Storm Greta Garbo Anna Christie Anna Christie Greta Garbo Romance Madame Rita Cavallini Norma Shearer Their Own Desire Lucia 'Lally' Marlett Gloria Swanson The Trespasser Marion Donnell 1930/31 4th Academy Awards Marie Dressler Min and Bill Min Divot Marlene Dietrich Morocco Mademoiselle Amy Jolly Irene Dunne Cimarron Sabra Cravat Ann Harding Holiday Linda Seton Norma Shearer A Free Soul Jan Ashe 1931/325th Academy Awards Helen Hayes The Sin of Madelon Claudet Madelon Claudet Marie Dressler Emma Emma Thatcher Smith Lynn Fontanne The Guardsman The Actress 1932/33 6th Academy Awards Katharine Hepburn Morning Glory Eva Lovelace May Robson (2nd) Lady for a Day Apple Annie Diana Wynyard (3rd) Cavalcade Jane Marryot 1934 7th Academy Awards Claudette Colbert It Happened One Night Ellie Andrews Grace Moore One Night of Love Mary Barrett Norma Shearer (2nd) The Barretts of Wimpole Street Elizabeth Barrett Bette Davis (write-in) (3rd) Of Human Bondage Mildred Rogers 1935 8th Academy Awards Bette Davis Dangerous Joyce Heath Elisabeth Bergner (3rd) Escape Me Never Gemma Jones Claudette Colbert Private Worlds Jane Everest Katharine Hepburn (2nd) Alice Adams Alice Adams Miriam Hopkins Becky Sharp Becky Sharp Merle Oberon The Dark Angel Kitty Vane 19369th Academy Awards Luise Rainer The Great Ziegfeld Anna Held Irene Dunne Theodora Goes Wild Theodora Lynn Gladys George Valiant Is the Word for Carrie Carrie Snyder Carole Lombard My Man Godfrey Irene Bullock Norma Shearer Romeo and Juliet Juliet – Daughter to Capulet 193710th Academy Awards Luise Rainer The Good Earth O-Lan Irene Dunne The Awful Truth Lucy Warriner Greta Garbo Camille Marguerite Gautier Janet Gaynor A Star Is Born Esther Victoria Blodgett, aka Vicki Lester Barbara Stanwyck Stella Dallas Stella Martin Dallas 1938 11th Academy Awards Bette Davis Jezebel Julie Marsden Fay Bainter White Banners Hannah Parmalee Wendy Hiller Pygmalion Eliza Doolittle Norma Shearer Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Margaret Sullavan Three Comrades Patricia 'Pat' Hollmann 1939 12th Academy Awards Vivien Leigh Gone with the Wind Scarlett O'Hara Bette Davis Dark Victory Judith Traherne Irene Dunne Love Affair Terry McKay Greta Garbo Ninotchka Nina Yakushova 'Ninotchka' Ivanoff Greer Garson Goodbye, Mr. Chips Katherine

1940s
 Year Actress Film Character 194013th Academy Awards Ginger Rogers Kitty Foyle Kitty Foyle Bette Davis The Letter Leslie Crosbie Joan Fontaine Rebecca The Second Mrs. de Winter Katharine Hepburn The Philadelphia Story Tracy Lord Martha Scott Our Town Emily Webb 194114th Academy Awards Joan Fontaine Suspicion Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth Bette Davis The Little Foxes Regina Giddens Olivia de Havilland Hold Back the Dawn Emmy Brown Greer Garson Blossoms in the Dust Edna Gladney Barbara Stanwyck Ball of Fire Katherine 'Sugarpuss' O'Shea 194215th Academy Awards Greer Garson Mrs. Miniver Kay Miniver Bette Davis Now, Voyager Charlotte Vale Katharine Hepburn Woman of the Year Tess Harding Rosalind Russell My Sister Eileen Ruth Sherwood Teresa Wright The Pride of the Yankees Eleanor Twitchell Gehrig 194316th Academy Awards Jennifer Jones The Song of Bernadette Bernadette Soubirous Jean Arthur The More the Merrier Constance "Connie" Milligan Ingrid Bergman For Whom the Bell Tolls María Joan Fontaine The Constant Nymph Tessa Sanger Greer Garson Madame Curie Marie Curie 194417th Academy Awards Ingrid Bergman Gaslight Paula Alquist Anton Claudette Colbert Since You Went Away Anne Hilton Bette Davis Mr. Skeffington Fanny Trellis Greer Garson Mrs. Parkington Susie 'Sparrow' Parkington Barbara Stanwyck Double Indemnity Phyllis Dietrichson 194518th Academy Awards Joan Crawford Mildred Pierce Mildred Pierce Beragon Ingrid Bergman The Bells of St. Mary's Sister Mary Benedict Greer Garson The Valley of Decision Mary Rafferty Jennifer Jones Love Letters Singleton Gene Tierney Leave Her to Heaven Ellen Berent Harland 194619th Academy Awards Olivia de Havilland To Each His Own Josephine 'Jody' Norris Celia Johnson Brief Encounter Laura Jesson Jennifer Jones Duel in the Sun Pearl Chavez Rosalind Russell Sister Kenny Elizabeth Kenny Jane Wyman The Yearling Orry Baxter 194720th Academy Awards Loretta Young The Farmer's Daughter Katie Holstrom Joan Crawford Possessed Louise Howell Susan Hayward Smash-Up, the Story of a Woman Angelica Evans Conway Dorothy McGuire Gentleman's Agreement Kathy Lacy Rosalind Russell Mourning Becomes Electra Lavinia Mannon 194821st Academy Awards Jane Wyman Johnny Belinda Belinda McDonald Ingrid Bergman Joan of Arc Joan of Arc Olivia de Havilland The Snake Pit Virginia Stuart Cunningham Irene Dunne I Remember Mama Martha Hanson Barbara Stanwyck Sorry, Wrong Number Leona Stevenson194922nd Academy Awards Olivia de Havilland The Heiress Catherine Sloper Jeanne Crain Pinky Patricia 'Pinky' Johnson Susan Hayward My Foolish Heart Eloise Winters Deborah Kerr Edward, My Son Evelyn Boult Loretta Young Come to the Stable Sister Margaret

1950s
 Year Actress Film Character 195023rd Academy Awards Judy Holliday Born Yesterday Emma 'Billie' Dawn Anne Baxter All About Eve Eve Harrington Bette Davis All About Eve Margo Channing Eleanor Parker Caged Marie Allen Gloria Swanson Sunset Boulevard Norma Desmond 195124th Academy Awards Vivien Leigh A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche DuBois Katharine Hepburn The African Queen Rose Sayer Eleanor Parker Detective Story Mary McLeod Shelley Winters A Place in the Sun Alice Tripp Jane Wyman The Blue Veil Louise Mason 195225th Academy Awards Shirley Booth Come Back, Little Sheba Lola Delaney Joan Crawford Sudden Fear Myra Hudson Bette Davis The Star Margaret Elliot Julie Harris The Member of the Wedding Frances 'Frankie' Addams Susan Hayward With a Song in My Heart Jane Froman 195326th Academy Awards Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Princess Ann Leslie Caron Lili Lili Daurier Ava Gardner Mogambo Eloise "Honey Bear" Kelly Deborah Kerr From Here to Eternity Karen Holmes Maggie McNamara The Moon Is Blue Patty O'Neill 195427th Academy Awards Grace Kelly The Country Girl Georgie Elgin Dorothy Dandridge Carmen Jones Carmen Jones Judy Garland A Star Is Born Vicki Lester / Esther Blodgett Audrey Hepburn Sabrina Sabrina Fairchild Jane Wyman Magnificent Obsession Helen Phillips 195528th Academy Awards Anna Magnani The Rose Tattoo Serafina Delle Rose Susan Hayward I'll Cry Tomorrow Lillian Roth Katharine Hepburn Summertime Jane Hudson Jennifer Jones Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing Han Suyin Eleanor Parker Interrupted Melody Marjorie 'Margie' Lawrence 195629th Academy Awards Ingrid Bergman Anastasia Anna Koreff / Anastasia Carroll Baker Baby Doll Baby Doll Meighan Katharine Hepburn The Rainmaker Lizzie Curry Nancy Kelly The Bad Seed Christine Penmark Deborah Kerr The King and I Anna Leonowens 195730th Academy Awards Joanne Woodward The Three Faces of Eve Eve White / Eve Black / Jane Deborah Kerr Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison Sister Angela Anna Magnani Wild Is the Wind Gioia Elizabeth Taylor Raintree County Susanna Drake Lana Turner Peyton Place Constance MacKenzie 195831st Academy Awards Susan Hayward I Want to Live! Barbara Graham Deborah Kerr Separate Tables Sibyl Railton-Bell Shirley MacLaine Some Came Running Ginnie Moorehead Rosalind Russell Auntie Mame Mame Dennis Elizabeth Taylor Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Margaret 'Maggie the Cat' Pollitt 195932nd Academy Awards Simone Signoret Room at the Top Alice Aisgill Doris Day Pillow Talk Jan Morrow Audrey Hepburn The Nun's Story Sister Luke (Gabrielle van der Mal) Katharine Hepburn Suddenly, Last Summer Violet Venable Elizabeth Taylor Suddenly, Last Summer Catherine Holly

1960s
 Year Actress Film Character 196033rd Academy Awards Elizabeth Taylor BUtterfield 8 Gloria Wandrous Greer Garson Sunrise at Campobello Eleanor Roosevelt Deborah Kerr The Sundowners Ida Carmody Shirley MacLaine The Apartment Fran Kubelik Melina Mercouri Never on Sunday Ilya 196134th Academy Awards Sophia Loren Two Women Cesira Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany's Holly Golightly Piper Laurie The Hustler Sarah Packard Geraldine Page Summer and Smoke Alma Winemiller Natalie Wood Splendor in the Grass Wilma Dean 'Deanie' Loomis 196235th Academy Awards Anne Bancroft The Miracle Worker Annie Sullivan Bette Davis What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Baby Jane Hudson Katharine Hepburn Long Day's Journey Into Night Mary Tyrone Geraldine Page Sweet Bird of Youth Alexandra Del Lago Lee Remick Days of Wine and Roses Kirsten Arnesen Clay 196336th Academy Awards Patricia Neal Hud Alma Brown Leslie Caron The L-Shaped Room Jane Fossett Shirley MacLaine Irma la Douce Irma La Douce Rachel Roberts This Sporting Life Margaret Hammond Natalie Wood Love with the Proper Stranger Angie Rossini 196437th Academy Awards Julie Andrews Mary Poppins Mary Poppins Anne Bancroft The Pumpkin Eater Jo Armitage Sophia Loren Marriage Italian-Style Filumena Marturano Debbie Reynolds The Unsinkable Molly Brown Molly Brown Kim Stanley Séance on a Wet Afternoon Myra Savage 196538th Academy Awards Julie Christie Darling Diana Scott Julie Andrews The Sound of Music Maria von Trapp Samantha Eggar The Collector Miranda Grey Elizabeth Hartman A Patch of Blue Selina D'Arcy Simone Signoret Ship of Fools La Contessa 196639th Academy Awards Elizabeth Taylor Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Martha Anouk Aimée A Man and a Woman Anne Gauthier Ida Kaminska The Shop on Main Street Rozalie Lautmann Lynn Redgrave Georgy Girl Georgina 'Georgy' Parkin Vanessa Redgrave Morgan! Leonie Delt 196740th Academy Awards Katharine Hepburn Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Christina Drayton Anne Bancroft The Graduate Mrs. Robinson Faye Dunaway Bonnie and Clyde Bonnie Parker Edith Evans The Whisperers Maggie Ross Audrey Hepburn Wait Until Dark Susy Hendrix 196841st Academy Awards Katharine Hepburn (tie) The Lion in Winter Eleanor of Aquitaine Barbra Streisand (tie) Funny Girl Fanny Brice Patricia Neal The Subject was Roses Nettie Cleary Vanessa Redgrave Isadora Isadora Duncan Joanne Woodward Rachel, Rachel Rachel Cameron 196942nd Academy Awards Maggie Smith The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Jean Brodie Geneviève Bujold Anne of the Thousand Days Anne Boleyn Jane Fonda They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Gloria Beatty Liza Minnelli The Sterile Cuckoo Mary Ann 'Pookie' Adams Jean Simmons The Happy Ending Mary Wilson

1970s
 Year Actress Film Character 197043rd Academy Awards Glenda Jackson Women in Love Gudrun Brangwen Jane Alexander The Great White Hope Eleanor Backman Ali MacGraw Love Story Jennifer Cavalleri Sarah Miles Ryan's Daughter Rosy Ryan Carrie Snodgress Diary of a Mad Housewife Bettina "Tina" Balser 197144th Academy Awards Jane Fonda Klute Bree Daniels Julie Christie McCabe & Mrs. Miller Constance Miller Glenda Jackson Sunday Bloody Sunday Alex Greville Vanessa Redgrave Mary, Queen of Scots Mary, Queen of Scots Janet Suzman Nicholas and Alexandra Empress Alexandra / Alix of Hesse Darmstadt 197245th Academy Awards Liza Minnelli Cabaret Sally Bowles Diana Ross Lady Sings the Blues Billie Holiday Maggie Smith Travels with My Aunt Augusta Bertram Cicely Tyson Sounder Rebecca Morgan Liv Ullmann The Emigrants Kristina 197346th Academy Awards Glenda Jackson A Touch of Class Vicki Allessio Ellen Burstyn The Exorcist Chris MacNeil Marsha Mason Cinderella Liberty Maggie Paul Barbra Streisand The Way We Were Katie Morosky Joanne Woodward Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams Rita Walden 197447th Academy Awards Ellen Burstyn Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore Alice Hyatt Diahann Carroll Claudine Claudine Price Faye Dunaway Chinatown Evelyn Cross Mulwray Valerie Perrine Lenny Honey Bruce Gena Rowlands A Woman Under the Influence Mabel Longhetti 197548th Academy Awards Louise Fletcher One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Nurse Mildred Ratched Isabelle Adjani The Story of Adele H. Adèle Hugo / Adèle Lewry Ann-Margret Tommy Nora Walker Glenda Jackson Hedda Hedda Gabler Carol Kane Hester Street Gitl 197649th Academy Awards Faye Dunaway Network Diana Christensen Marie-Christine Barrault Cousin, cousine Marthe Talia Shire Rocky Adrian Pennino Sissy Spacek Carrie Carrie White Liv Ullmann Face to Face  Jenny Isaksson 197750th Academy Awards Diane Keaton Annie Hall Annie Hall Anne Bancroft The Turning Point Emma Jacklin Jane Fonda Julia Lillian Hellman Shirley MacLaine The Turning Point Deedee Rodgers Marsha Mason The Goodbye Girl Paula McFadden 197851st Academy Awards Jane Fonda Coming Home Sally Hyde Ingrid Bergman Autumn Sonata Charlotte Andergast Ellen Burstyn Same Time, Next Year Doris Jill Clayburgh An Unmarried Woman Erica Benton Geraldine Page Interiors Eve 197952nd Academy Awards Sally Field Norma Rae Norma Rae Webster Jill Clayburgh Starting Over Marilyn Holmberg Jane Fonda The China Syndrome Kimberly Wells Marsha Mason Chapter Two Jennie MacLaine Bette Midler The Rose Mary Rose Foster

1980s
 Year Actress Film Character 198053rd Academy Awards Sissy Spacek Coal Miner's Daughter Loretta Lynn Ellen Burstyn Resurrection Edna Mae McCauley Goldie Hawn Private Benjamin Pvt. Judy Benjamin Mary Tyler Moore Ordinary People Beth Jarrett Gena Rowlands Gloria Gloria Swenson 198154th Academy Awards Katharine Hepburn On Golden Pond Ethel Thayer Diane Keaton Reds Louise Bryant Marsha Mason Only When I Laugh Georgia Hines Susan Sarandon Atlantic City Sally Matthews Meryl Streep The French Lieutenant's Woman Anna (Sara Woodruff) 198255th Academy Awards Meryl Streep Sophie's Choice Sophie Zawistowska Julie Andrews Victor Victoria Victoria Grant Jessica Lange Frances Frances Farmer Sissy Spacek Missing Beth Horman Debra Winger An Officer and a Gentleman Paula Pokrifki 198356th Academy Awards Shirley MacLaine Terms of Endearment Aurora Greenway Jane Alexander Testament Carol Wetherly Meryl Streep Silkwood Karen Silkwood Julie Walters Educating Rita Rita Debra Winger Terms of Endearment Emma Greenway Horton 198457th Academy Awards Sally Field Places in the Heart Edna Spalding Judy Davis A Passage to India Adela Quested Jessica Lange Country Jewell Ivy Vanessa Redgrave The Bostonians Olive Chancellor Sissy Spacek The River Mae Garvey198558th Academy Awards Geraldine Page The Trip to Bountiful Carrie Watts Anne Bancroft Agnes of God Mother Miriam Ruth Whoopi Goldberg The Color Purple Celie Harris Johnson Jessica Lange Sweet Dreams Patsy Cline Meryl Streep Out of Africa Karen Blixen 198659th Academy Awards Marlee Matlin Children of a Lesser God Sarah Norman Jane Fonda The Morning After Alex Sternbergen Sissy Spacek Crimes of the Heart Babe Magrath Kathleen Turner Peggy Sue Got Married Peggy Sue Bodell Sigourney Weaver Aliens Ellen Ripley 198760th Academy Awards Cher Moonstruck Loretta Castorini Glenn Close Fatal Attraction Alex Forrest Holly Hunter Broadcast News Jane Craig Sally Kirkland Anna Anna Meryl Streep Ironweed Helen Archer 198861st Academy Awards Jodie Foster The Accused Sarah Tobias Glenn Close Dangerous Liaisons Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil Melanie Griffith Working Girl Tess McGill Meryl Streep A Cry in the Dark Lindy Chamberlain Sigourney Weaver Gorillas in the Mist Dian Fossey 198962nd Academy Awards Jessica Tandy Driving Miss Daisy Daisy Werthan Isabelle Adjani Camille Claudel Camille Claudel Pauline Collins Shirley Valentine Shirley Valentine-Bradshaw Jessica Lange Music Box Ann Talbot Michelle Pfeiffer The Fabulous Baker Boys Susie Diamond

1990s
 Year Actress Film Character 199063rd Academy Awards Kathy Bates Misery Annie Wilkes Anjelica Huston The Grifters Lilly Dillon Julia Roberts Pretty Woman Vivian Ward Meryl Streep Postcards from the Edge Suzanne Vale Joanne Woodward Mr. and Mrs. Bridge India Bridge 199164th Academy Awards Jodie Foster The Silence of the Lambs Clarice Starling Geena Davis Thelma & Louise Thelma Dickinson Laura Dern Rambling Rose Rose Bette Midler For the Boys Dixie Leonard Susan Sarandon Thelma & Louise Louise Sawyer 199265th Academy Awards Emma Thompson Howards End Margaret Schlegel Catherine Deneuve Indochine Eliane Devries Mary McDonnell Passion Fish May-Alice Culhane Michelle Pfeiffer Love Field Lurene Hallett Susan Sarandon Lorenzo's Oil Michaela Odone 199366th Academy Awards Holly Hunter The Piano Ada McGrath Angela Bassett What's Love Got to Do with It Tina Turner Stockard Channing Six Degrees of Separation Ouisa Kittredge Emma Thompson The Remains of the Day Sarah "Sally" Kenton Debra Winger Shadowlands Joy Gresham 199467th Academy Awards Jessica Lange Blue Sky Carly Marshall Jodie Foster Nell Nell Kellty Miranda Richardson Tom & Viv Vivienne Haigh-Wood Winona Ryder Little Women Jo March Susan Sarandon The Client Reggie Love 199568th Academy Awards Susan Sarandon Dead Man Walking Helen Prejean Elisabeth Shue Leaving Las Vegas Sera Sharon Stone Casino Ginger McKenna Meryl Streep The Bridges of Madison County Francesca Johnson Emma Thompson Sense and Sensibility Elinor Dashwood 199669th Academy Awards Frances McDormand Fargo Marge Gunderson Brenda Blethyn Secrets & Lies Cynthia Rose Purley Diane Keaton Marvin's Room Bessie Kristin Scott Thomas The English Patient Katharine Clifton Emily Watson Breaking the Waves Bess McNeill 199770th Academy Awards Helen Hunt As Good as It Gets Carol Connelly Helena Bonham Carter The Wings of the Dove Kate Croy Julie Christie Afterglow Phyllis Mann Judi Dench Mrs. Brown Queen Victoria Kate Winslet Titanic Rose DeWitt Bukater 199871st Academy Awards Gwyneth Paltrow Shakespeare in Love Viola De Lesseps Cate Blanchett Elizabeth Elizabeth I Fernanda Montenegro Central Station Dora Meryl Streep One True Thing Kate Gulden Emily Watson Hilary and Jackie Jacqueline du Pré 199972nd Academy Awards Hilary Swank Boys Don't Cry Brandon Teena Annette Bening American Beauty Carolyn Burnham Janet McTeer Tumbleweeds Mary Jo Walker Julianne Moore The End of the Affair Sarah Miles Meryl Streep Music of the Heart Roberta Guaspari

2000s
 Year Actress Film Character 200073rd Academy Awards Julia Roberts Erin Brockovich Erin Brockovich Joan Allen The Contender Senator Laine Hanson Juliette Binoche Chocolat Vianne Rocher Ellen Burstyn Requiem for a Dream Sara Goldfarb Laura Linney You Can Count on Me Sammy Prescott 200174th Academy Awards Halle Berry Monster's Ball Leticia Musgrove Judi Dench Iris Iris Murdoch Nicole Kidman Moulin Rouge! Satine Sissy Spacek In the Bedroom Ruth Fowler Renée Zellweger Bridget Jones's Diary Bridget Jones 200275th Academy Awards Nicole Kidman The Hours Virginia Woolf Salma Hayek Frida Frida Kahlo Diane Lane Unfaithful Constance 'Connie' Sumner Julianne Moore Far from Heaven Cathy Whitaker Renée Zellweger Chicago Roxie Hart 200376th Academy Awards Charlize Theron Monster Aileen Wuornos Keisha Castle-Hughes Whale Rider Paikea Apirana Diane Keaton Something's Gotta Give Erika Berry Samantha Morton In America Sarah Sullivan Naomi Watts 21 Grams Cristina "Cris" Williams Peck 200477th Academy Awards Hilary Swank Million Dollar Baby Maggie Fitzgerald Annette Bening Being Julia Julia Lambert Catalina Sandino Moreno Maria Full of Grace María Álvarez Imelda Staunton Vera Drake Vera Rose Drake Kate Winslet Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Clementine Kruczynski 200578th Academy Awards Reese Witherspoon Walk the Line June Carter Judi Dench Mrs Henderson Presents Laura Henderson Felicity Huffman Transamerica Sabrina "Bree" Osbourne Keira Knightley Pride & Prejudice Elizabeth Bennet Charlize Theron North Country Josey Aimes 200679th Academy Awards Helen Mirren The Queen Queen Elizabeth II Penélope Cruz Volver Raimunda Judi Dench Notes on a Scandal Barbara Covett Meryl Streep The Devil Wears Prada Miranda Priestly Kate Winslet Little Children Sarah Pierce 200780th Academy Awards Marion Cotillard La Vie en Rose Édith Piaf Cate Blanchett Elizabeth: The Golden Age Elizabeth I Julie Christie Away from Her Fiona Anderson Laura Linney The Savages Wendy Savage Ellen Page Juno Juno MacGuff 200881st Academy Awards Kate Winslet The Reader Hanna Schmitz Anne Hathaway Rachel Getting Married Kym Buchman Angelina Jolie Changeling Christine Collins Melissa Leo Frozen River Ray Eddy Meryl Streep Doubt Sister Aloysius Beauvier 200982nd Academy Awards Sandra Bullock The Blind Side Leigh Anne Tuohy Helen Mirren The Last Station Sofya Tolstoy Carey Mulligan An Education Jenny Mellor Gabourey Sidibe Precious Claireece "Precious" Jones Meryl Streep Julie & Julia Julia Child

2010s
 Year Actress Film Character 201083rd Academy Awards Natalie Portman Black Swan Nina Sayers Annette Bening The Kids Are All Right Nicole "Nic" Allgood Nicole Kidman Rabbit Hole Becca Corbett Jennifer Lawrence Winter's Bone Ree Dolly Michelle Williams Blue Valentine Cindy Heller 201184th Academy Awards Meryl Streep The Iron Lady
| Margaret Thatcher
|- 
| Glenn Close
| Albert Nobbs| Albert Nobbs
|-
| Viola Davis
| The Help| Aibileen Clark
|-
| Rooney Mara
| The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo| Lisbeth Salander
|-
| Michelle Williams
| My Week with Marilyn| Marilyn Monroe
|-
| rowspan=6 style="text-align:center" | 201285th Academy Awards
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| Jennifer Lawrence
| Silver Linings Playbook| Tiffany Maxwell
|- 
| Jessica Chastain
| Zero Dark Thirty 
| Maya
|-
| Emmanuelle Riva 
| Amour 
| Anne Laurent
|-
| Quvenzhané Wallis
| Beasts of the Southern Wild| Hushpuppy 
|-
| Naomi Watts 
| The Impossible''  Maria Bennett

Actress