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.

Awarded forBest Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Most awardsKatharine Hepburn (4)
Most nominationsMeryl Streep (17)

Winners

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

1920s

Year Actress Film Character
1927/28
1st 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
1928/29
2nd 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
1929/30
3rd 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
1931/32
5th 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
1936
9th 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
1937
10th 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
1940
13th 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
1941
14th 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
1942
15th 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
1943
16th 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
1944
17th 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
1945
18th 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
1946
19th 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
1947
20th 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
1948
21st 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 Stevenson
1949
22nd 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
1950
23rd 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
1951
24th 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
1952
25th 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
1953
26th 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
1954
27th 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
1955
28th 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
1956
29th 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
1957
30th 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
1958
31st 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
1959
32nd 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
1960
33rd 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
1961
34th 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
1962
35th 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
1963
36th 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
1964
37th 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
1965
38th 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
1966
39th 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
1967
40th 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
1968
41st 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
1969
42nd 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
1970
43rd 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
1971
44th 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
1972
45th 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
1973
46th 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
1974
47th 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
1975
48th 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
1976
49th 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
1977
50th 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
1978
51st 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
1979
52nd 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
1980
53rd 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
1981
54th 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)
1982
55th 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
1983
56th 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
1984
57th 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 Garvey
1985
58th 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
1986
59th 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
1987
60th 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
1988
61st 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
1989
62nd 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
1990
63rd 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
1991
64th 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
1992
65th 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
1993
66th 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
1994
67th 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
1995
68th 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
1996
69th 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
1997
70th 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
1998
71st 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
1999
72nd 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
2000
73rd 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
2001
74th 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
2002
75th 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
2003
76th 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
2004
77th 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
2005
78th 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
2006
79th 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
2007
80th 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
2008
81st 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
2009
82nd 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
2010
83rd 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
2011
84th 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
2012
85th Academy Awards
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