Undoubtedly, the Academy Award for Best Actress is the highest level of achievement that every actress aspires to achieve during their career in the cinema industry. This prestigious honor is awarded to actresses every year who have given exceptional, outstanding, and captivating performances through their films.
It is more special than any other acting award, as it is considered a symbol of excellence and serves as a benchmark for quality. It is one of the most elite honors presented annually to actresses who bring their on-screen roles to life with outstanding performances at the Academy Awards Ceremony, the greatest celebration of cinematic achievements.
Continue reading to discover the top 10 outstanding Oscar-winning performances by the best Hollywood actress that have left a lasting impact on the film industry and audiences.
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Academy Award For Best Actress: Top 10 in Oscar History
The Academy or Oscar Award is a symbol of excellence in acting and is awarded to brilliant performances by the Academy’s voting members. Here are the top 10 legendary performances that won this prestigious honor for best Hollywood actress in Oscar history:
1. Meryl Streep – Sophie’s Choice, 1982
When talking about the best Hollywood actress Oscar-winning performance, Meryl Streep’s performance in Sophie’s Choice stands out as the most legendary. The actress started her career in 1977, but her brilliant performance in this 1982 film helped her achieve worldwide recognition for her powerful and impactful acting.
Her impact on the global film industry is undeniable, as she has secured the most prestigious acting honor thrice during her career, one Academy Award for best supporting actress role for Kramer vs Kramer and another for best actress role for The Iron; released in 1980 and 2012, respectively. Even though she has won three Oscar awards, she still holds the record for the highest Academy Awards nominations, 21.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Mary Louise Streep |
| Place of Birth | Summit, New Jersey, USA |
| Date of Birth | June 22, 1949 |
| Years Active | 1971–present |
| Education | Vassar College (B.A.), Yale School of Drama (M.F.A.) |
| Notable Awards | 3 Academy Awards, 9 Golden Globe Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 1 BAFTA Award |
| Famous Films | Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt, The Iron Lady |
| Philanthropy | Supports arts education, women’s rights, environmental causes |
2. Katharine Hepburn – The Lion in Winter, 1968
While Meryl has the record for the highest Oscar nominations, Katharine Hepburn is the one who has secured the maximum, 4, Academy Award for Best Actress. Her outstanding Oscar-winning performances are in the films Morning Glory, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter, and On Golden Pond, released in 1934, 1968, 1969, and 1981, respectively. Among these 4, her performance in The Lion in Winter as a powerful and witty queen is considered the finest.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Katharine Houghton Hepburn |
| Place of Birth | Hartford, Connecticut, USA |
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1907 |
| Years Active | 1928–1995 |
| Education | Bryn Mawr College (BA, 1928) |
| Notable Awards | 4 Academy Awards for Best Actress (record), 12 Oscar nominations |
| Famous Films | Morning Glory, Little Women, Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, The African Queen, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Lion in Winter, On Golden Pond |
| Known For | Independence, spirited personality, outspokenness, strong-willed and sophisticated characters |
3. Vivien Leigh – Gone with the Wind, 1939
The next best Hollywood actress Oscar-winning performance is delivered by the legendary Hollywood icon, Vivien Leigh. She has been awarded with two best actress Academy Awards for her brilliant performances in the films, Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire; however, her portrayal in the first one is considered the finest. This 1939 film is one of the most successful films ever, as it has secured eight Academy Awards.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Vivian Mary Hartley (professionally known as Vivien Leigh) |
| Place of Birth | Darjeeling, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1913 |
| Years Active | 1935–1967 |
| Education | Drama school education at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Notable Awards | 2 Academy Awards for Best Actress (Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939), Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)) |
| Famous Films | Gone with the Wind (1939), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Fire Over England (1937), Anna Karenina (1948), Waterloo Bridge (1940), That Hamilton Woman (1941) |
| Known For | Beauty, intense performances, complex portrayals of troubled women, difficult reputation on set |
4. Hilary Swank – Boys Don’t Cry, 1999
Hilary Swank is one of the most popular Hollywood actresses who is praised for her impactful acting. The actress has secured two Academy Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performances in Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby; however, her portrayal in the first one is exceptional. Her powerful performance as a transgender teen in this 1999 film showcased her unique talent and acting skills.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Hilary Ann Swank |
| Place of Birth | Lincoln, Nebraska, USA |
| Date of Birth | July 30, 1974 |
| Years Active | 1991–present |
| Education | South Pasadena High School (attended) |
| Notable Awards | 2 Academy Awards for Best Actress (Boys Don’t Cry (1999), Million Dollar Baby (2004)); 2 Golden Globe Awards |
| Famous Roles | Brandon Teena in Boys Don’t Cry; Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby; Julie Pierce in The Next Karate Kid |
| Known For | Intense preparation for roles, portraying complex and courageous characters, versatility |
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5. Charlize Theron – Monster, 2003
Charlize Theron is widely known for her versatile acting roles, from dramatic to comedic, and has won the best actress Academy Award for Monster. This movie was released in 2003, in which the actress portrayed the role of a serial killer. Her outstanding performance in this autobiographical film brought exceptional fame and recognition to her.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Charlize Theron |
| Place of Birth | Benoni, South Africa |
| Date of Birth | August 7, 1975 |
| Years Active | 1995–present |
| Education | South Pasadena High School (attended) |
| Notable Awards | Academy Award for Best Actress for Monster (2003); multiple other nominations including for North Country (2005) |
| Famous Films | Monster (2003), The Devil’s Advocate (1997), Mighty Joe Young (1998), The Cider House Rules (1999), The Italian Job (2003), North Country (2005), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Prometheus (2012) |
| Known For | Versatility in roles, intense character portrayals, first South African to win an Oscar for Best Actress |
6. Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, 2017
Frances McDormand is one of the greatest actresses of all time and the best Hollywood actress after Katharine, who has secured three Best Actress Academy Awards. Her exceptional role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri has brought her the highest recognition and appreciation. The other two films for which the actress has achieved this prestigious acting honor are Fargo and Nomadland.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Frances Louise McDormand (born Cynthia Ann Smith) |
| Place of Birth | Gibson City, Illinois, USA |
| Date of Birth | June 23, 1957 |
| Years Active | 1982–present |
| Education | B.A. in Theater from Bethany College (West Virginia); M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama |
| Notable Awards | 4 Academy Awards (3 for Best Actress, 1 for Best Picture as producer), 2 Primetime Emmy Awards, 1 Tony Award (Triple Crown of Acting), 3 BAFTA Awards, 2 Golden Globes |
| Famous Films | Fargo (1996), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), Nomadland (2020), Mississippi Burning (1988), Almost Famous (2000), North Country (2005), Blood Simple (1984) |
| Known For | Versatility, character acting, frequent collaborations with Joel and Ethan Coen, dissolving into roles |
7. Olivia Colman – The Favourite, 2018
Olivia Colman is the next Hollywood actress to secure an Oscar award and is the most popular and best Hollywood actress in the television industry. The actress’ powerful and impactful portrayal as Queen Anne in the 2018 film The Favourite has helped her earn this prestigious honor.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Sarah Caroline Sinclair (née Colman), professionally known as Olivia Colman |
| Place of Birth | Norwich, Norfolk, England |
| Date of Birth | January 30, 1974 |
| Years Active | 2000–present |
| Education | Homerton College, Cambridge; Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
| Notable Film Roles | The Favourite (2018), The Father (2020), The Lost Daughter (2021), Tyrannosaur, The Iron Lady, The Lobster, Empire of Light, Wonka, Wicked Little Letters, Paddington in Peru |
| Major Awards | Academy Award (Best Actress, The Favourite), 4 BAFTA Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 3 Golden Globe Awards, Volpi Cup, BFI Fellowship, Screen Actors Guild Award |
| Known For | Versatility in both comedy and drama, acclaimed portrayals of real-life figures and complex women |
8. Jodie Foster – The Silence of the Lambs, 1991
Reputed worldwide as one of the most successful and respected Hollywood actresses, Jodie Foster is next on the list of top 10 legendary Oscar-winning performances for the Best Actress Academy Award. The actress is known for her diverse roles and her brilliant performance in The Silence of the Lambs, released in 1991. She has secured the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Nyad in 2023 and another best actress award for Taxi Driver, released in 1976.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Alicia Christian “Jodie” Foster |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Date of Birth | November 19, 1962 |
| Years Active | 1968–present |
| Education | Graduated from Yale University with a degree in literature (1985) |
| Notable Film Roles | Taxi Driver, The Accused, The Silence of the Lambs, Nell, Contact, Panic Room, The Mauritanian, Nyad |
| Major Awards | 2 Academy Awards (Best Actress for The Accused (1988) and The Silence of the Lambs (1991)), 5 Golden Globes, 3 BAFTAs, 1 Emmy |
| Personal Notes | Second person to win multiple Oscars before age 30; youngest to win two acting Oscars; only openly LGBTQ woman with multiple acting Oscars (publicly out after wins) |
9. Audrey Hepburn – Roman Holiday, 1953
Audrey Hepburn is next on the list of the top 10 legendary Oscar-winning performances and has secured five Academy Award nominations and one Academy Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance in Roman Holiday, released in 1953. Other films in which she has portrayed iconic roles include My Fair Lady and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Audrey Kathleen Ruston (professionally known as Audrey Hepburn) |
| Place of Birth | Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium |
| Date of Birth | May 4, 1929 |
| Years Active | 1948–1989 |
| Nationality | British (from father) |
| Notable Films | Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, My Fair Lady, Charade, The Nun’s Story, Wait Until Dark |
| Major Awards | Academy Award (Best Actress for Roman Holiday), 3 BAFTA Awards, 2 Golden Globes, Tony Award, Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (posthumous), Cecil B. DeMille Award, BAFTA Special Award, SAG Life Achievement Award, among others |
10. Natalie Portman – Black Swan, 2010
Natalie Portman is a talented Hollywood actress and is well-known for her diverse and strong performances, from dramatic to action-packed sci-fi. Her outstanding performance as a mentally troubled ballerina in Black Swan, released in 2010, helped her secure the first Oscar award for best actress.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Natalie Hershlag (professionally known as Natalie Portman) |
| Place of Birth | West Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Israel |
| Date of Birth | June 9, 1981 |
| Years Active | 1993–present |
| Nationality | Israeli-American |
| Major Roles | Padmé Amidala in Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999, 2002, 2005), Nina Sayers in Black Swan (2010), Evey Hammond in V for Vendetta (2005), Anne Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl (2008), Jacqueline Kennedy in Jackie (2016), Jane Foster in Thor series |
| Notable Awards | Academy Award for Best Actress (Black Swan), 2 Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Award, BAFTA Award |
Academy Award For Best Actress in a Leading Role – Winner (2025)
In the 97th edition of the Academy Awards, Mikey Madison is the the Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role winner 2025. She has beaten strong nominees, including Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres, with her brilliant performance in Anora. The 26-year old Hollywood actress made her acting debut in 2013 with short films, Pani’s Box and Retirement. Apart from her recently released film, the actress has gained much recognition for spectacular performances in Better Things and the horror-genre film Scream.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Mikaela “Mikey” Madison Rosberg |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Date of Birth | March 25, 1999 |
| Years Active | 2014–present |
| Early Life | Raised in Los Angeles; initially trained as a competitive horseback rider before switching to acting at age 14; homeschooled after 7th grade; Jewish heritage; twin brother named Miles |
| Notable Film Roles | Susan “Sadie” Atkins in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Amber Freeman in Scream (2022), lead role in Anora (2024) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actress for Anora (2024); BAFTA Award for Best Actress; first Generation Z actor to win an acting Oscar |
| Career Highlights | Starred in Better Things TV series; appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood; voice role in The Addams Family (2019); lead in Palme d’Or-winning Anora (2024) |
Conclusion
Each Hollywood actress on this list of the top 10 legendary Oscar-winning performances has brought their on-screen roles to life and made a lasting impact on the viewers with brilliant performances. The films for which these top actresses have received this prestigious honor are unforgettable. With each passing year, the Academy Awards for Best Actress will continue to deliver well-deserved fame and recognition to legendary performances in the film industry.