The Academy Award for Best Actress has been around since the Oscars debuted back in 1929. Last year’s statuette went to The Eyes of Tammy Faye star Jessica Chastain, who was up against Olivia Colman for The Lost Daughter, Penélope Cruz for Parallel Mothers, Nicole Kidman for Being the Ricardos and Kristen Stewart for Spencer.
Other previous winners include Frances McDormand for Nomadland, Renée Zellweger for Judy, Olivia Colman for The Favourite, Frances McDormand for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Emma Stone for La La Land, Brie Larson for Room, Julianne Moore for Still Alice, Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine, Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook, Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady, Natalie Portman for Black Swan, Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side and Kate Winslet for The Reader.
Streep currently holds the record for most nominations in this category, with a total of 17. She’s followed by Katharine Hepburn (12 nods), who has received the most statuettes (4) by any single actress.
What an honor.
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