Academy Award for Best Actress | Deservers (1927-2012)

[@williamt594]

I'm so glad someone actually recognized Kathy Bates in Dolores Claiborne. That film is mindblowingly underrated and Judy Parfitt should also have gained an Oscar

[@IternalMuser]

Marion deserved it 100000%, she was breathtaking!

[@Barbaraplease]

maybe edit the list with a note next to each actress that actually won.

[@iamyoussef21]

A lot of them have won he hadn't changed them i mean

[@vins1979]

Can you imagine that in the year Cate Blanchett was nominated for Elizabeth, the Oscar actually went to Gwyneth Paltrow for Shakespeare in Love? And that Glenn Close did not get an Oscar for Dangerous Liaisons?

[@mikeikeda1208]

Harvey Weinstein pulling strings.

[@saraloha4627]

I can. Some other award bodies actually picked Paltrow so I mean it's not like the Oscar was the anomaly.

[@JasonMovieGuy]

@Alexandre Reis Cher beat Glenn Close when Close was up for Fatal Attraction. Jodie Foster (The Accused) defeated Close in Dangerous Liaisons, one of the toughest best actress races to date---- other nominees included Sigourney Weaver in Gorllas in the Mist, Meryl Streep in A Cry In the Dark and Melanie Griffith in Working Girl.

[@michaeldonovan4793]

close deserved it for liasons but not for albert nobb...

[@owenfavbdog4307]

@Alexandre Reisqacc cfft4 v vvv. V. C vvvcccccxxxx

[@hamishmurray]

Good List. My top 10 for best NOT to win: 1. Glenn Close - Fatal Attraction 2. Glenn Close - Dangerous liaisons 3. Ellen Burstyn - Requiem for a dream. 4. Bette Davis - All about Eve 5. Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth 6 Ellen Burstyn - The exorcist 7 Naomi Watts - 21 Grams 8 Sigourney Weaver - Aliens 9 Katharine Hepburn - The African Queen 10 Deborah Kerr - Black Narcissus

[@geetafashion]

Emily Watson in breaking the waves

[@haroldmachroli7038]

You should have included Olivia de Haviland for Snake Pit.

[@jan63019]

Biggest Academy mistakes Gwyneth Paltrow over Cate Blanchett (1999) and Julia Roberts over Ellen Burstyn (2001)

[@LizDee1]

I couldn't agree MORE.

[@aeromundos]

That really hurt watching her win over Cate and Julia over Ellen ,that was PR against real quality acting : quality lost !! That goes to show everybody a lot about how the Oscars really work.

[@mattbernabe]

jan63019 Agree! I thought Julia Roberts was great, but I saw Ellen's performance and no one else could come close to toping that brilliant performance she gave.

[@suzycreamcheesez4371]

Crash beat Brokeback Timothee Chalamet

[@artpal7084]

Can't get over it too it was heart breaking 💔 Cate blanchett should've won 3 by now

[@stevencheatham5041]

I so agree, Judy was robbed in 54’ for “A Star Is Born.” Tragic!

[@anthonycaruso8443]

Tragic! Really.

[@stevencheatham5041]

@@anthonycaruso8443 I’m sorry you don’t like the word tragic, it was my opinion.

[@helendqueen]

Cate Blanchett was horribly robbed for her role in Elizabeth!

[@Kprat-z5h]

Actually Fernanda Montegro was robbed.

[@stephenoliver5687]

she was incredible!!! in this role!!!

[@gatewayski1]

And Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine was a bore for me.

[@Blow203]

Juliana Silva any of the other four women deserved more. The Oscar that year was a joke

[@couch.patati-patata]

She got two.

[@soshaun01]

I am so glad you included Maria Falconetti for The Passion of Joan of Arc. I think it is the best performance by an actress in motion picture history (and she never made another movie because the experience was so draining for her!).

[@YoungFrankenstein]

I find it so beautiful that you recognize not only Hollywood and British actresses, but also from other countries. That's something the Academy needs to pay attention more. Check the performances from lesser known actors around the world.

[@yeoldegaymer1906]

Wonderful list. I have rarely seen a list that would so closely mirror mine. Biggest robbery for me was Gwyneth in Shakespeare in Love beating Cate in Elizabeth, I never understood that.

[@heywoodjablome7535]

Two Words : Harvey Weinstein

[@vakhv2493]

@@heywoodjablome7535 At least now we know HOW she won it

[@haroldmachroli7038]

Biggest robbery was Julia Roberts winning for Erin Brokovich instead of the magnificent performance of Ellyn Burstyn in Requiem for a dream.

[@anthonycaruso8443]

I don't understand illegal aliens.

[@orphicuranus]

@@heywoodjablome7535 Two Words : Great Actress

[@pawanthakur-df2yk]

2013- Cate Blanchett- Blue Jasmine 2014- Rosamund Pike- Gone Girl 2015- Brie Larson- Room 2016- Isabelle Huppert- Elle 2017- Frances McDormand- 3 Billboards 2018- Olivia Colman- The Favourite 2019- Renee Zellweger- Judy 2019- Awkwafina- The Farewell 2021- Vanessa Kirby- Pieces of a woman

[@fuell1]

Sophia Loren really deserved the Oscar she got for the 1961 film "Two Women.

[@iiiiiccccc]

she definitely did. wow.

[@sandrawilcoxwilliamssmith9042]

Yes

[@SirOtter1]

I think that was the only one I disagreed with.

[@patrickevans5439]

Sophia Loren totally deserved to win. Hands down.

[@georg_couch]

I think perhaps she wasn't included due to confusion with regards to the year of release. Many foreign films received nominations and wins for a year different from the one of their original release. Two Women is a 1960 film and Sophia Loren is breathtaking in it. But it was screened in the US in 1961, and she won that year. In 1961, I think she's better than Harriet Andersson. But in 1960, I think you could theoretically make a case for Shirley MacLaine in the Apartment being the slightly superior performance (her flawless comedic timing is on great display here). I would still prefer Loren, but I can see how that layout came about.

[@DabneyFountain]

This video is stupendous...magnificent...rekindled memories and my appreciation for not only great movies but the outstanding performances these highly talented women gave us. Bravo! Ben Russell and thanks.

[@0515tommyboy]

Barbara Stanwyck for "Double Indemnity", Brenda Blethyn for "Secrets and Lies", and Ellen Burstyn for "Requiem for a Dream" are the three that stand out to me the most as performances that should have won. Thanks for including them!

[@gatewayski1]

myscruffylittlepuppy I agree, But the only problem with Requiem for a Dream [and this is what I felt hurt Miss Burstyn here] were the graphic sexual scenes with Jennifer Connolly that turned me off this film......but Burstyn was magnificent and should have easily won over Roberts.

[@Qaqaq]

I was super-impressed at the inclusion of Toni Collette in "Muriel's Wedding" -- I've long said that was the best performance I've seen not to even be nominated. Susan Sarandon in "Dead Man Walking" was a very good and very typically Oscar-winning performance, but Toni just blew me away in what she did in that role.

[@moon75866]

Gwyneth Paltrow was preposterously the biggest Oscar blunder ever

[@enchantedboy66]

Kathy Bates definitely deserved at least a nomination for Dolores Claiborne.

[@MrBrassboy]

Totally! As well as Judy Parfitt as Vera Donovan in Delores Claiborne. That movie is so underrated. I think the problem with that movie is Jennifer Jason Leigh, her scenes are hard to watch.

[@glennbassett4815]

Yes, I think Dolores Claiborne is an even better performance than her Annie Wilkes in Misery. She is absolutely heart-breaking in DC.

[@chucksellers8422]

no one better!

[@Zenobiadream]

100% agree

[@henrymachtay3684]

Helen Hayes in "The Sin of Madeleine Claudet" - there's a scene where she wants to reject her baby, but softens and hugs it to her, ALL IN ONE SHOT. Even 90 years later it's a truly great moment of acting.

[@deriter64]

Your premise for this list is perfectly sound and to hell with confusion. Anybody that takes the time and trouble to put something like this together has the right to express their opinions and in doing so provide us with some nice moments. Watching your list (again) I was happily reminded of some terrific performances I had more or less forgotten. Just one example, I jaw dropped when Giuletta Masina appeared and I realized I hadn't thought of her breathtaking performance in Nights for many years. And no I'm not a foreign movie pseudo snob but her performance was great and a perfect example of what we can forget until someone like you comes along to preserve and remind. Thank you.

[@sealdrup]

Definitely agree that Kate Blanchett was robbed and should have won that year instead of Gwinneth Paltrow...obviously merely my opinion.

[@alejandroabner40]

And the world's

[@melissagueydan6294]

Yes Cate is a far superior actress.over Paltrow

[@pdxtim97209]

Fernanda Montenegro should have won. Not Kate.

[@dornegri]

pdxtim97209 one of my favorite films ever!

[@camile6265]

Louise Brooks was a great film actress and received no recognition from this industry, because she was fiercely independent, brilliant and way ahead of her time. She should have been given an Oscar posthumously for all her film work with Pabst, especially for "Pandora's Box."

[@sergioguillermo8722]

Glenn Close was robed 3 times...

[@MasseurDavis]

The academy's politics has done her dirty multiple times. I still remember her performances in Fatal Attraction, Albert Nobbs and The Wife. I haven't seen Moonstruck, but I strongly doubt Cher was better than Glenn Close.

[@heywoodjablome7535]

@@MasseurDavis Cher wasn’t better than Glenn Close, but Glenn Close wasn’t better than Holly Hunter

[@89Awww]

My picks (no ties & only one actress gets three) 1927 Janet Gaynor (Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans) 1928 Maria Falconetti (The Passion of Joan of Arc) 1929 Norma Shearer (The Divorcee) 1930 Marlene Dietrich (Morocco) 1931 Marie Dressler (Min and Bill) 1932 Marlene Dietrich (Shanghai Express) 1933 Greta Garbo (Queen Christina) 1934 Claudette Colbert (It Happened One Night) 1935 Greta Garbo (Anna Karenina) 1936 Carole Lombard (My Man Godfrey) 1937 Luise Rainer (The Good Earth) 1938 Bette Davis (Jezebel) 1939 Vivien Leigh (Gone with the Wind) 1940 Margaret Sullavan (The Shop Around the Corner) 1941 Barbara Stanwyck (The Lady Eve) 1942 Greer Garson (Mrs. Miniver) 1943 Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca) 1944 Barbara Stanwyck (Double Indemnity) 1945 Celia Johnson (Brief Encounter) 1946 Ingrid Bergman (Notorious) 1947 Deborah Kerr (Black Narcissus) 1948 Olivia De Havilland (The Snake Pit) 1949 Olivia De Havilland (The Heiress) 1950 Bette Davis (All About Eve) 1951 Vivien Leigh (A Streetcar Named Desire) 1952 Debbie Reynolds (Singin’ in the Rain) 1953 Audrey Hepburn (Roman Holiday) 1954 Judy Garland (A Star is Born) 1955 Susan Hayward (I’ll Cry Tomorrow) 1956 Katharine Hepburn (The Rainmaker) 1957 Joanne Woodward (The Three Faces of Eve) 1958 Susan Hayward (I Want to Live!) 1959 Marilyn Monroe (Some Like it Hot) 1960 Shirley MacLaine (The Apartment) 1961 Sophia Loren (Two Women) 1962 Bette Davis (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?) 1963 Patricia Neal (Hud) 1964 Audrey Hepburn (My Fair Lady) 1965 Julie Andrews (The Sound of Music) 1966 Elizabeth Taylor (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf) 1967 Anne Bancroft (The Graduate) 1968 Katharine Hepburn (The Lion in Winter) 1969 Maggie Smith (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie) 1970 Carrie Snodgress (Diary of a Mad Housewife) 1971 Vanessa Redgrave (Mary, Queen of Scots) 1972 Liza Minnelli (Cabaret) 1973 Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist) 1974 Gena Rowlands (A Woman Under the Influence) 1975 Louise Fletcher (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) 1976 Sissy Spacek (Carrie) 1977 Diane Keaton (Annie Hall) 1978 Ingrid Bergman (Autumn Sonata) 1979 Sally Field (Norma Rae) 1980 Mary Tyler Moore (Ordinary People) 1981 Isabelle Adjani (Possession) 1982 Meryl Streep (Sophie’s Choice) 1983 Shirley MacLaine (Terms of Endearment) 1984 Karen Allen (Starman) 1985 Geraldine Page (The Trip to Bountiful) 1986 Sigourney Weaver (Aliens) 1987 Meryl Streep (Ironweed) 1988 Glenn Close (Dangerous Liaisons) 1989 Jessica Tandy (Driving Miss Daisy) 1990 Kathy Bates (Misery) 1991 Jodie Foster (The Silence of the Lambs) 1992 Emma Thompson (Howard’s End) 1993 Holly Hunter (Piano) 1994 Jessica Lange (Blue Sky) 1995 Sharon Stone (Casino) 1996 Frances McDormand (Fargo) 1997 Judi Dench (Mrs Brown) 1998 Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth) 1999 Hilary Swank (Boys Don’t Cry) 2000 Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream) 2001 Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive) 2002 Julianne Moore (Far From Heaven) 2003 Charlize Theron (Monster) 2004 Kate Winslet (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) 2005 Felicity Huffman (Transamerica) 2006 Helen Mirren (The Queen) 2007 Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose) 2008 Kate Winslet (The Reader) 2009 Carey Mulligan (An Education) 2010 Natalie Portman (Black Swan) 2011 Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs) 2012 Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thrity) 2013 Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) 2014 Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) 2015 Brie Larson (Room) 2016 Emanuelle Huppert (Elle) 2017 Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)

[@applestar6665]

How about joan crawford in mildred pierce?

[@sofianenasri3189]

It’s Isabelle Huppert* (i agree with you)

[@myenguerrand]

Mostly don't agree, but yes and yes to Stanwyck's 2 wins, and yes to the great McDormand (Billboards). 1962 was an amazing batch of actresses, but for my money it was Kate in LDJIN, her finest performance ever. I agree about 1950, Bette was the right choice; Swanson was iconic, but slightly less intelligent and more emotional/intuitive than the highly smart and skilled Davis. But Sunset Boulevard was the better picture, overall. For one thing, "Eve" had a very lackluster male cast (except Sanders).

[@macc.1132]

Your list is fantastic overall. I particularly like Rosamund Pike, Olivia de Havilland (for both The Snake Pit and The Heiress) and Close (for Dangerous Liaisons... not Albert Nobbs). In addition to Close for Albert Nobbs, I don't care for Streep in Ironweed, Redgrave for Mary Queen of Scots, and Sullavan for The Shop Around the Corner (not considering the competition). It's tough since the '40's and '50's are packed with exceptional performances, but the leading ladies from Hitchcock films are sadly missing from your list (except for Nortorious, Bergman's best performance). Fontaine for Rebecca, Bankhead for Lifeboat, and Leigh for Psycho (I know she's missing for half the film, but she dominates the first half while Perkins gets the other... they are co-leads). You list is very white, which I'm sure is more due to the slim pickings POC actresses get for roles than anything. I think strong consideration could be given for Cicely Tyson for Sounder, Yeoh in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Goldberg in The Color Purple, Gong Li in Raise the Red Lantern, Sidibe for Precious, or Setsuko Hara for Late Spring (for instance). Still, great list!

[@macc.1132]

@@myenguerrand I don't think a film needs a great male cast to shine. The actors in Eve do their job exceptionally well, but really the film is dominated by the ladies. One of the great things All About Eve has going for it is all the fantastic roles for the actresses in the film! There are not very many Best Picture winners in which two actresses have anything to say and do with one another, but All About Eve has countless scenes - all of them sharp! Davis, Baxter, Holm, Ritter and even Monroe got to shine. Both are great films, but All About Eve is a rare gem. Sunset Boulevard is dominated by Swanson. Holden and Von Stroheim get some exceptional scenes. Nancy Olson was Holden's love interest I guess...

[@kenoliver8913]

I'm glad someone recognises Maggie Smith's performance of a lifetime as Miss Jean Brodie. An utterly unforgettable character.

[@tomshea8382]

Too bad she didn't win the Oscar

[@VforValmont]

Imelda Staunton for Vera Drake is the Oscar the world still needs.

[@dylanpsinakis7930]

Marilyn Monroe- Nominations for Bus Stop, The Misfits and won in Some like it Hot.

[@kevinp2722]

Agree with Toni Collette for Muriel’s Wedding. I also think she should have won supporting actress for Sixth Sense. The scene in the car brings me to tears every time.

[@anthonycaruso8443]

Are many of these people Americans?

[@clauderenaud229]

Some the Academy got right and some they didn’t. I am particularly pleased to see a number of my choices included on this list: Marilyn Monroe for Some Like It Hot, Mary Tyler Moore for Ordinary People!!!!!!!, Sigourney Weaver for Aliens, Glenn Close for Dangerous Liaisons (though I would have given her the Oscar for Fatal Attraction as well), Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth!!!!!, and Ellen Burstyn for Requiem for a Dream!!!!!. The only exception to this list is Meryl Streep in 2012 for The Iron Lady. One more thing...Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis, that tie would have been grand!

[@haroldmachroli7038]

That was a difficult year for Swanson and Davis. Holliday was brilliant in Born Yesterday and I think, in my opinion there was a three way tie.

[@misspearltaylor]

This is very compelling. Thank you for the time it took to compile and for giving many of us some great new films to find and watch.

[@toniosntcrz]

Emily Watson, Breaking the waves.

[@josealexandervargasmejia1978]

Glenn Close: “ atracción fatal”

[@dustinmcgirt7875]

Hopefully #NaomiWatts and #GlennClose will win an Oscar one day they so deserve it.!

[@LizDee1]

I was shocked when she didn't win for Fatal Attraction.

[@dustinmcgirt7875]

So was I The #AcademyAwards or #Oscars have had quite a few snubs that I think could have been wins.!

[@kandorstevenson]

Glen Close MUST get it this year.

[@davidpomeroy7594]

Richard Burton, Peter O’toole, Barbara Stanwyck and Alfred Hitchcock were all snubbed with the exception of a “special” Oscar for both stanwyck and Hitchcock. Let’s hope Glenn Close doesn’t join that club!

[@ThalesPo]

I always thought that Ellen Burstyn and Sissy Spacek deserved the Oscar for "The exorcist" and "Carrie". Thanks for recognizing that.

[@daughteroftheking5811]

Vivien Leigh being deserving of both awards tells you a lot about those perfomances

[@johnpickford4222]

@daughterofthekkng5811: She was also indicated as the 1941 winner for THAT HAMILTON WOMAN which makes THREE AWARDS as Best Actress.

[@johnkristianbusalanan3282]

The Academy is not about who cried the hardest or who made the most tear-jerking performance.It's about how the actress portrayed the character. Natalie Portman in The Black Swan, Jennifer Lawrence in SLP, and Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side were magnificently perfect in the roles they played.

[@miggy25]

Such a great video! I loved that you had Marlene Deitrich up there, she was a much better actor than she gets credit for. She was mesmerizing in Blue Angel and Witness for the Prosecution. Love that you had Joan Foantaine as well, she's sadly forgotten. Also had one of my personal favorite underrated Oscar winning performances, Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

[@MarkBrown-ii1lx]

I really love Meryl Streep, but then, who doesn't? She is a consummate actress, and no doubt she deserved THE HELL out of that Oscar in 1982 for "Sophie's Choice" (one of the best performances in history IMO). But I can't say- without a guilty conscience- that she should have won for "Ironweed". Of course, that was a great performance (as she always gives) but I've seen "Fatal Attraction" several times, and I have to say that Glenn Close was the most deserving of the nominees in 1987. As Alex Forrest, she gave one of those rare performances you just can never forget. Not only did she scare us in some scenes, but in others she skillfully managed to make us feel a certain amount of sympathy for Alex, a woman obviously confused about what relationships are about. The truth is she was in desperate need of psychological help, and in her performance, she made it clear Alex wasn't a one-note villain, but someone who was very self-destructive and in a lot of pain. Glenn was also great in "Dangerous Liaisons" the following year, but Jodie Foster- who won that year for "The Accused"- was VERY VERY CONVINCING. I think she deserved her Oscar. Everybody has their own opinion, of course. That just happens to be mine.

[@personaldove]

How Glenn Close has still not won an Oscar yet is beyond me.

[@privprav35]

I love the credit this gives to Marlene Dietrich. Preach.

[@boredisshe1246]

I still don’t see how Marilyn wasn’t even at least nominated for some like it hot Also she should have been nominated for her role in the misfits

[@theraven6843]

You must be kidding!

[@ggfanjase]

Your picks for the first half are pretty great, inspired, and honor classic performances that never got their due on the Oscar stage (Falconetti, Dietrich, Garbo, Stanwyck, Kerr, Swanson, Garland, Masina!) on top of recognizing some amazing unsung foreign choices that I loved... but I got some whiplash from the double takes I did when you made your latter choices like Karen Allen, Winslet #1 + #2, Mulligan, Close #2, Watts #2. This was fun tho, kudos on all the work and movie-watching. :)

[@reneeo7736]

I like how you included in your list some of the actual winners of the award and not just the people who should've won that year. Sometimes the Academy and their voters get it right and others, a perfect example being Gwenyth Paltrow in 'Shakespeare in Love', they don't. Great list!!

[@holgerhansen7078]

I agree with many of the choices. Actresses now almost forgotten would have become quite famous after their deserved but not received Oscar. Some make me want to see the great performances I apparently missed. Good job.

[@susanwhalan5442]

One of the best performances ignored by the Oscars surely must be Angela Lansbury in The Manchurian Candidate. Superb and chilling acting. Agree with Cate Blanchett who was robbed by an insipid performance from Gwyneth Paltrow. Just wrong in so many ways!!

[@MrBrassboy]

I couldn't agree more! Angela Lansbury was unbelievable in that film. Love watching her be wicked and calculating.

[@neworleansguy10]

MrBrassboy Well, she did get a Supporting Actress nomination, no?

[@ohwow6640]

@Sharon Jensen I think the last performance wherein she had a decent performance was in the movie Tom Ripley. It had Cate Blanchett in it too.

[@melissagueydan6294]

It is disgusting the thing with Paltrow and Weinstein. Cate Blanchett can act circles around Paltrow.

[@monkeydude8960]

Great list! Love that you included Burstyn for The Exorcist and recognized that she deserved to win for Requiem for a Dream. Her acting in that movie was the best I've ever seen. Also loved that you included Naomi Watts for Muholland Dr. Very underrated performance.

[@raygarcia3774]

Susan Hayward definitely was rob for an Oscar for her great performance as Lillian Roth in "I'll Cry Tomorrow" I can't say enough she will always be remembered as one of Hollywood's great actresses.

[@arpansarkar9306]

To my knowledge, Felicity Huffman delivered an acting performance in 'Transamerica' which is amongst the most underrated ones in oscar history, Thanks for including her.

[@donchase2261]

Other than Shirley Booth for " Come back Little Sheba ", and Jane Fonda in " Klute," I would have to say this is an excellent selection.

[@JesLordNova]

2012 - Emanuelle Riva or Jessica Chastain, 2010 a tie maybe (Portman was awesome) and 1997 its for Dench

[@rambunctiousrohan]

It's astonishing why nobody argues over the Best Actress wins for 2011 and 2016.. In 2011, Natalie took home the award for her exquisite performance in Black Swan..But according to me, the one who totally deserved it was Michelle Williams foe her heartbreaking and melancholic turn in the fabulous Blue Valentine.. And in 2015, Brie Larson won the Oscar for Room, a terrific performance..But Charlotte Rampling's performance left me speechless..it was awe-inspiring, it was literally a 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' performance imbued with an abiding melancholy and uttermost honesty..this makes me revisit the fact that the film 45 Years and the actress herself is SO UNDERRATED...she definitely deserved the award..

[@brunopetrilli1306]

The Academy should nominated Björk for "Dancer in the Dark" and win

[@juancarlosucedaperez3815]

1940 Katharine Hepburn (The Philadelphia Story) 1981 Katharine Hepburn (On Golden Pond) 1987 Glenn Close (Fatal attraction)

[@carolynstockton5876]

Naomi Watts “The Impossible” She should have won. Kathy Bates, for Dolores Claiborne also.

[@DannyBkyn]

Some great choices here. Although I must disagree with your choice of Kate Winslet for "Titanic" over Judi Dench for "Mrs. Brown". One of the best performances I've ever seen.

[@MrAkashvj96]

I agree with you. I thought Judi Dench had the best performance across all categories that year.

[@BenRussell]

I haven't seen Mrs. Brown yet (a sin against cinema, I know). It's on the top of my watchlist now! I'm updating this video soon, so who knows, she may just make an appearance :)

[@jinishima]

Ben Russell i saw it this past wed ironically. Judi Dench and Billy Conolly had great chemistry and seeing Gerard Butler act was pleasant.

[@lenacoleman4971]

Ben Russell If you want to see a better Judi Dench performance, watch 2006's Notes on a Scandal with Cate Blanchett. and you will see just how good Judi Dench is.

[@alexander76826]

i consider Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench and Meryl Streep as one of my favorite three actresses. all do i some oldies and i can also name a few outta that area Like Katherine Hepburn an Bettie Davis.

[@6aadhi]

Whoopi Goldberg should have won in 1985 for The Colour Purple.

[@BenRussell]

I love her performance in that film, which I'll have to re-watch. However, I am more fond of Geraldine Page's stunning performance in Trip to Bountiful. Who knows, my tastes may change one day :)

[@oacaparov]

Ben Russell Maybe 1985 was the best collection of nominated Actresses: Anne Bancroft, Jessica Lange, Whoopi Goldberg, Geraldine Page, Meryl Streep.

[@gatewayski1]

Cher for "Mask" had she been nominated. Prefer that performance over "Moonstruck".

[@7777lizabeth]

Whoopie is a loud mouth fool!

[@oacaparov]

@@gatewayski1 Cher WAS nominated by Mask un 1986. In Supporting Actress Category

[@GeniusDolphin]

Totally agree with you that Meryl Streep in Sophie's Choice, Kathy Bates in Misery, Holly Hunter in The Piano, Nicole Kidman in The Hours and Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose, because these actresses truly deserves it, I know that some of the people think that Julianne Moore should win over Nicole Kidman in Far From Heaven but I personally think that Nicole deserves it more, glad you think so! And I also like you didn't put Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Lawrence, because they really didn't deserves it! But the only problem for me is Natalie Portman in Black Swan and Meryl Streep in Iron Lady didn't won your vote...

[@oacaparov]

Nicole was very good in The Hours but her role was NOT leading but supponting. Julianne Moore deserved to win.

[@georg_couch]

To be fair, Julianne Moore is more nuanced in Far From Heaven and there are also about five or so Nicole Kidman performances that are FAR better than her turn in the Hours. Honestly, I'd prefer if she had won for To Die For or Eyes Wide Shut (supporting though) or Moulin Rouge! or Dogville. I love the Hours, but Kidman has delivered better work. And Jennifer Lawrence shouldn't have won by any means, considering her competition, but her performance wasn't bad at all, and there have been far worse winners (surprised nobody remembers that Loretta Young once notoriously won for The Farmer's Daughter. Actually, no. I'm not surprised at all)

[@Darkly-]

Muriel's Wedding is one of my top 5 favorite films ever, so excited to see it on this list!

[@jordanconley3793]

It's one of my faves as well. Not that well known in USA, but it's a quirky little treasure. I think it's on Netflix.

[@carrieluvv]

Jordan Conley one of my faves I could recite that movie I'm American and I've often tried to get my friends to watch it. It's very disappointing . But atleast my daughters love it.

[@albertodote9512]

Dear Lord! Louise Fletcher did SUCH AN AMAZING job. She really deserved the Academy Award. I agree in most of this choises.

[@albertodote9512]

Horror movies are the worst for a good actress, the Academy won't take them serious. Sissy was magical as Carrie.

[@hardsam68]

+Alberto Dote i felt that hers was more Supprting that year and that Piper Laurie was robbed as Supporting actress in Carrie, Ive alwyas thought her as the Lead

[@addabboo]

1958 Elizabeth Taylor deserved the Oscar for Cat on a hot tin Roof, that is why she got it 2 years later for the wrong film, Butterfiled 8 and her near death pneumonia of course. However no one can deny that she stole the show with Who's afraid of Virginia Wolf, one of the best performances in cinema history.

[@johnpickford4222]

@addabboo: YOU’RE WRONG. CAT ON A HOT TIM ROOF was ok. She got the award for BUTTERFIELD 8 because she nearly died from pneumonia, that you are correct. But, that’s Hollywood!

[@timw7256]

Joan Crawford's work in Mildred Pierce was a revelation

[@1966marlon]

Love it. All those actresses from old movies are wonderful.

[@bittouflan926]

I'm sorry but Whoopi Goldberg was deserving an award for "the colour purple" in 1085 ( It was a great lost) and sorry again but Halle Berry too deserves her award !!!!! ( i'm not saying this because i'm black) and meryl streep performance in Iron Lady was the best that year! my opinion !

[@glennfromthebronx]

....lots of EVENTUAL awards come from when a nominee was robbed previously....ergo: sentimental favorite.

[@giovannyespinoza7162]

In my opinion Renee Zellweger for Bridget Jones's Diary and Judi Dench for Iris deserved that's Oscar not Halle Berry and Viola Davis for The Help or Rooney Mara for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo was the best performance of 2011

[@vnach299]

Halle Berry was so good, but maybe as best supporting actress, cause the main caracter was Billy Bob Thornton.

[@melissagueydan6294]

I thought Viola Davis was deserving of her Oscar that year. Rooney Mara ? Not so much.

[@JohnnyWestmount]

Whoopi Goldberg for The Color Purple must be in the list.

[@mcleodrockferry287]

True deservers especially Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth , Imelda Staunton for Vera Drake ( Hilary Swank's in Million Dollar Baby is still a spectacular one), Felicity Huffman for Transamerica and Carey Mulligan for An Education. Biggest disappointments are Gwyneth Paltrow for Shakespeare in Love and Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook. I disagree with the year 1994. By performance Jessica Lange in Blue Sky is complex and one her very best and she won it. 2011 should have been a tie between Meryl Streep and Glenn Close. Two outstanding performances. No doubt.

[@MGBrown-sw6wm]

Yes! I agree 100%!

[@prudencepineapple9448]

Barbara Stanwyck. "Double Indemnity" (1944), " Stella Dallas" (1937) and "Baby Face" (1933). She never won an Oscar for her acting ability but did receive a 'Life Time Achievement Award' Oscar at the end of her life. Her speech that night was particularly poignant when she thanked her "Golden Boy", William Holden. She was in the hospital the day before. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3PLgXxvaqt3kNk

[@mere7793]

Isabelle Adjani... 😍😍 8:14 such an underrated beauty

[@alonzolara7170]

2001 - Julia Roberts 2002 - Judi Dench 2003 - Salma Hayek 2004 - Charlize Theron 2005 - Hilary Swank 2006 - Felicity Huffman 2007 - Helen Mirren 2008 - Marion Cotillard 2009 - Kate Winslet 2010 - Carey Mulligan 2011 - Natalie Portman 2012 - Viola Davis 2013 - Noami Watts 2014 - Sandra Bullock, Amy Adams and Cate Blanchett (Excellent performances) Cate Blanchett was a great choice | Emma Thompson should have be nominated this year.

[@55hivealive3]

2000 Ellen Burstyn was absolutely robbed for her devastating performance in Requiem for a Dream Same goes for Kim Hye-Ja for 2009's "Mother"

[@scottrindal7859]

The music elevated this video so much. But such an interesting video even without. Please repost with the next few years one day. Thanks for posting

[@roxy5588]

My top 10 picks for most deserving Oscar win are: 1. Meryl Streep - August Osage County (2013) 2. Charlize Theron - Monster (2003) 3. Glenn Close - Fatal Attraction (1987) 4. Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine (2010) 5. Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth (1998) 6. Naomi Watts - The Impossible (2012) 7. Jodie Foster - The Silence of the Lambs (1991) 8. Katherine Hepburn - The Philadelphia Story (1940) 9. Marilyn Monroe - Some Like it Hot (1959) 10. Judy Garland - A Star is Born (1954) Tie Audrey Hepburn - Roman Holiday (1953) 🎬🎬🎬

[@emilybrehmer8021]

Caitlin Frawley what about Vivien Leigh for Gone with the Wind. I know it's a controversial movie now but it's one of my favorite performances!!

[@emigrant1510]

Streep over Blanchet in 2013? No way.

[@amyclarke41]

good suggestions but Kate Winslet was far better i thought in the reader @😣

[@artpal7084]

Meryl over Cate in 2013, are u kidding me? Her performance in Blue jasmine hits the nail

[@Nitoh13]

Hi ! I just found your video and I must say I agree with some of your choices ! I really appreciate that you used Michael Nyman's song as background music. "The Piano""is one of my favourite movies , and also ''The Bridges Of Madison County"' . For 1996 I would totally go ,with all my heart , for Meryl Streep .Her performace was beyond any imagination . The fact that this movie barely got any nominations is one of the must unfair things I've ever seen , but I respect your choice ! Take care!

[@philyhai]

Glad to see Lingyu Ruan on the list, she deserve it.

[@Thadmotor1044]

I loved the multiple winners especially Vivian Leigh and Olivia D Haviland

[@jassielvillavicencio9485]

Ellen deserved an Oscar for Requiem for a dream, so did Naomi for Mulholland Drive and also Bjôrk for Dancer in the dark

[@carberyroe]

Ben Thank you so much! This was Brilliant1 and it must have tsaken a lot of time to research and find all the clips! Very well put together! I wonder if there is one that shows the winners alongside the ones people feel deserved it more? .. I always think its tricky because if someone loves an actor or actress they tend to really like them in anything .. (Not always, but overall) and if they dont like them then they pick holes and look for fault where there probably isnt any. People say Joan Crawford told peope not to vote for Bette Davis. I can believe that but I find it hard to believe people didnt make up their own minds and vote fairly. I guess it is a dog eat dog indistry and people might use the awards to get back at someone. Who knows. :)

[@davidstevenson9496]

Anyone paying attention to JC was truly off their hinges

[@Ricardus6]

discrepo con el de Black Swan, Natalie Portman merecía más que nadie ese Oscar. Por los demás... prácticamente de acuerdo con todos.

[@je8607]

I’d keep Helen Hunt as the winner in 97 and given Kate Winslet the Oscar for Eternal Sunshine. The year of The Reader I would’ve given it to Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married. Good list!

[@hujing8438]

I am glad that you give Barbara Stanwyck an award for double indemnity and I think she real deserved it. I am also happy that you keep awards for my favorite Ingrid Bergman and Bette Davis. Also Joan Fontaine, I think her performance in A Letter From an Unknown woman is probably her best performance. I always think that Katharine Hepburn is a bit over-graded, 1-2 oscar for her is more proper. But maybe Audrey Hepburn should get an award for Breakfast at Tiffany's and Grace Kelly for to Catch a Thief. Probably I will give Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, Loretta Young, Ginger Rogers, Greer Garson, Jenifer Jones and Claudette Colbert, Mae West and Mary Pickford one award each for their best movie :)

[@TheLizzie12]

Great list! But my 1952 will always go to Miss Ethel Waters in The Member of the Wedding...a majestic, magnificent performance & an important lesson in the art of great screen acting.

[@castorp68]

I found the list very interesting to watch. Totally agree on Naomi Watts in Mulholland Drive ; a bit sad that Sophia Loren has dissapeared but happy to see Marilyn Monroe and Hannah Schygulla there ; and I would rather go with Meryl Sreep in The bridges of Madison County instead of Ironweed.

[@jacktwist5907]

Genevieve Bujold-Anne of the 1000 Days Kim Stanley-The Goddess/Francis Eleanor Parker- Caged Isabel Huppert&Miou Miou-Entre Nous Hope Emerson-Supporting Actress-Caged/nominated, no win. Also- Cry of the City. Jessica Lang-Francis-an amazing performance Glen Close-Fatal Attraction I could go on. As most everyone could. But... BTW Meryl Streep could NOT come near anything these ladies have done. Streep is such a pedestrian as an actress. She plays it so safe. That has to be why she keeps getting work. Of particular note, could you imagine Streep doing Fatal Attraction, or Francis? Her entire world of art is in her head. She is throughly robotic-her performances just might be the greets cure for insomnia. and personally the most spontaneous moment, STREEP HAS EVER HAD, on film, IMO, was in Mamma Mia-she jumps into the ocean. They should have left her there.

[@michaelrecycle9838]

I would have loved to see Viola Davis win. I think she's incredible. She's so expressive. She can say more with a glance than most can with pages of dialogue. On another note, I don't know what's more racist: the lack of black actresses getting rolls or the rolls available to black women are ALWAYS in the slave/house keeper/shady/impoverished vein. Of the black women who have won they've won for: a civil war era maid (Hattie McDaniel), a con artist psychic (Whoopi Goldberg), a poor grieving mother (Halle Berry), a singer (a rare exception - Jennifer Hudson), another maid (Octavia Spencer), and another slave (Lupita Nyung'o). Most of the other actresses mentioned in the comments are Viola Davis (The Help, yet another maid), Angela Bassett (Tina Turner biopic), and of course Dorothy Dandridge and Cicely Tyson. My point is, if I have one, is that I think it's bullshit and offensive that these rolls are still being written! It's not Oscars So White, it's Casting Directors/Film Studios/Directors So White. For those complaining about the lack of diversity, it's like what Viola Davis said when she got her Emmy, "you can't win awards for roles that don't exist." PS. I'm a white guy.

[@melissagueydan6294]

Yes they are all great actresses. Clark Gable had great affection for Hattie McDaniel. He knew how talented she really was and more than capable of taking on different types of roles.

[@carlospavao8480]

I agree with the most and definitely Bete Davis should win for a superb performance at "What happened to Baby Jane". Didn't happen because Joan Crawford.

[@AduskaV]

Most of the years is really hard to choose, but I totally agree with Kate Winslet for Titanic or Cate for Elizabeth, but it´s true that in 2012 it was the most hard - what about Viola Davis in The Help? But I agree with Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady!

[@namaankhan8306]

You're right. Meryl streep was phenomenal in the iron lady.

[@giovannyespinoza7162]

@@namaankhan8306 Rooney Mara was unforgettable in The Girl With the Dragón Tattoo. Michelle Williams was incredible and complex as Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn. Viola Davis was incredible, unforgettable and amazing un The Help

[@rambunctiousrohan]

After 2012/13 2014 Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine 2015 Rosamund Pike- Gone Girl 2016 Brie Larson- Room/ Charlotte Rampling- 45 Years 2017 Emma Stone - La La Land/ Natalie Portman- Jackie/ Ruth Negga - Loving/ Issabelle Huppert- Elle 2017 - Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri/ Sally Hawkins- The Shape Of Water 2018 Olivia Colman - The Favourite / Glenn Close - The Wife

[@ilsereuten6763]

How can anyone forget to mention Sophia Loren for one of the best performances ever in Two women

[@SirOtter1]

Thank you for giving Falconetti her due! Hers is the single best performance ever filmed. It should be a benchmark for all actresses to be compared to.

[@MrFfs1954]

ahhh, so true... Naomi Watts should win the award indeed for her amazing portrayal as a psychotic woman in "Mulholland Drive" and not that Halle Berry overrated "Monster's Ball". Watts' psychological transformation from somewhat naive healthy blonde Betty to real pathetic, mentally breakdown lesbian Diane is truly one of the most remarkably convincing performances I've ever seen on screen. it's such a shame that she wasn't even being nominated for the role.

[@georg_couch]

You're dead right. Naomi Watts was transcendent. 2001 is clearly either her or Isabelle Huppert for the Piano Teacher. Berry is not a bad performance, she's actually quite good, and Monster's Ball is a wonderful little film. She would have been a fine winner, but in a different, weaker year. For 2001, she doesn't hold up.

[@carolynstakely5166]

Thank you for recognizing Sigourney Weaver as Ripley in Aliens! What are your Best Actress opinions for pre-Oscar movies?

[@georg_couch]

I mean, Lillian Gish would dominate a bunch of years. Her performance in Broken Blossoms is truly unbelievable.

[@drstrangelove6558]

Thanks for giving Shirley Maclaine 2 Oscars!:) In my Opinion She is one of the Greatest actresses of ALL TIME!

[@davidstevenson9496]

Did Shirley not win for the Apartment? Omggg

[@drstrangelove6558]

1927: Janet Gaynor -- Sunrise: A Song Of Two Humans 1928: Gloria Swanson -- Sadie Thompson 1929: Corinne Griffith -- The Divine Lady 1930: Norma Shearer -- The Divorcee 1931: Marie Dressler -- Min & Bill 1932: Helen Hayes -- The Sin Of Madelon Claudet 1933: May Robson -- Lady For A Day 1934: Claudette Colbert -- It Happened One Night 1935: Miriam Hopkins -- Becky Sharp 1936: Carole Lombard -- My Man Godfrey 1937: Luise Rainer -- The Good Earth 1938: Wendy Hiller -- Pygmalion 1939: Irene Dunne -- Love Affair 1940: Katharine Hepburn -- The Philadelphia Story 1941: Bette Davis -- The Little Foxes 1942: Greer Garson -- Mrs. Miniver 1943: Joan Fontaine -- The Constant Nymph 1944: Barbara Stanwyck -- Double Indemnity 1945: Joan Crawford -- Mildred Pierce 1946: Jane Wyman -- The Yearling 1947: Rosalind Russel -- Morning Becomes Electra 1948: Olivia De Havilland -- The Snake Pit 1949: Olivia De Havilland -- The Heiress 1950: Gloria Swanson -- Sunset Boulevard 1951: Katharine Hepburn -- The African Queen 1952: Shirley Booth -- Come Back, Little Sheba 1953: Deborah Kerr -- From Here To Eternity 1954: Grace Kelly -- The Country Girl 1955: Anna Magnani -- The Rose Tatto 1956: Ingrid Bergman -- Anastasia 1957: Joanne Woodward -- The Three Faces Of Eve 1958: Susan Hayward -- I Want To Live! 1959: Simone Signoret -- Room At The Top 1960: Melina Mercouri -- Never On Sunday 1961: Sophia Loren -- Two Women 1962: Anne Bancroft -- The Miracle Worker 1963: Shirley MacLaine -- Irma La Douce (I thought Patricia Neal was supporting) 1964: Anne Bancroft -- The Pumpkin Eater 1965: Elizabeth Hartman -- A Patch Of Blue 1966: Elizabeth Taylor -- Whos Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? 1967: Edith Evans -- The Whisperers 1968: Katharine Hepburn -- The Lion In Winter 1969: Maggie Smith -- The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie 1970: Carrie Snodgress -- Dairy Of A Mad Housewife 1971: Jane Fonda -- Klute 1972: Cicely Tyson -- Sounder 1973: Marsha Mason -- Cinderella Liberty 1974: Gena Rowlands -- A Woman Under The Influence 1975: Louise Fletcher -- One Flew Over The Cuckos Nest 1976: Faye Dunaway -- Network 1977: Diane Keaton -- Annie Hall 1978: Jill Clayburgh -- An Unmarried Woman 1979: Bette Midler -- The Rose 1980: Sissy Spacek -- Coel Miners Daugher 1981: Diane Keaton -- Reds 1982: Meryl Streep -- Sophies Choice 1983: Shirley MacLaine -- Terms Of Endearment 1984: Sally Field -- Places In The Heart 1985: Geraldine Page -- The Trip To Bountiful 1986: Kathleen Turner -- Peggy Sue Got Married 1987: Glenn Close -- Fatal Attraction 1988: Meryl Streep -- A Cry In The Dark 1989: Michelle Pfeiffer -- The Fabulous Baker Boys 1990: Kathy Bates -- Misery 1991: Jodie Foster -- The Silence Of The Lambs 1992: Emma Thompson -- Howards End 1993: Angela Bassett -- Whats Love Got To Do With It 1994: Winona Ryder -- Little Women 1995: Susan Sarandon -- Dead Man Walking 1996: Frances McDormand -- Fargo 1997: Judi Dench -- Mrs. Brown 1998: Cate Blanchett -- Elizabeth 1999: Hilary Swank -- Boys Dont Cry 2000: Ellen Burstyn -- Requiem For A Dream 2001: Sissy Spacek -- In The Bedroom 2002: Nicole Kidman -- The Hours 2003: Charlize Theron -- Monster 2004: Annette Bening -- Being Julia 2005: Felicity Huffman -- Transamerica 2006: Helen Mirren -- The Queen 2007: Marion Cotillard -- La Vie En Rose 2008: Melissa Leo -- Frozen River 2009: Gabourey Sidibe -- Precious 2010: Natalie Portman -- The Black Swan 2011: Viola Davis -- The Help 2012: Emmanuelle Riva -- Amour 2013: Cate Blanchett -- Blue Jasmine 2014: Julianne Moore -- Still Alice 2015: Brie Larson -- Room 2016: Isabelle Huppert -- Elle

[@terrygrant3467]

Grace Kelly really? Many believe that Grace didn't even deserve the nomination. As Groucho said in telegram to Judy, "it was the Greatest robbery since Brinks".

[@denniszenanywhere]

I went through each one of your lists. It's remarkable how I agree with all, except for 1989 actress. I think Pfeiffer was amazing in Fabulous Baker Boys which I saw a number of times), but I think Jodie Foster deserved to win for The Accused.

[@misswildath3art]

you forgot Meryl Streep for The Bridges of Madison County, i also loved her interpretation. Dolores Clairbone is on my list :)

[@totisantiago1]

very Impressive list - Garbo, Dietrich and Monroe is here - and the Almighty Judy!!! very credible list - better than the actual winners -

[@fonteluminosa-alojamentolo3986]

Great choices, many of whom I agree, however in 1959 I'd go for Elizabeth Taylor in Suddenly Last Summer.

[@leosgreens]

You gave it to Vivien three times. This is good. I look forward to watching some of the films you have on here that I haven't heard of. :)

[@davidstevenson9496]

Watch her Anna Karenina please

[@warrenguy76]

In May of 1999 I actually met Cate Blanchett for an autograph backstage outside after a performance of ‘Plenty’ in London. I told her “You were better than Gwyneth.” And she replied with class “There’s no competition (between us)”.

[@StrangeLittlePoet123]

warrenguy76 she absolutely was tho

[@warrenguy76]

Matthew James I agree too but I had to let her know. Cate is simply amazing.

[@StrangeLittlePoet123]

@@warrenguy76 I know I used to work for STC she's a fabulous person on and off stage

[@warrenguy76]

Matthew James cool! Thanks for sharing this! Wow it’s been 20 years since I was in London when I saw her!

[@adelaidemcginnity5344]

Mostly a good list, particularly of the movies I like (before 1950). The only clear amendment I would have is 1934. That has to be Bette Davis in Of Human Bondage.

[@applestar6665]

Yes.. why is she not included in the list?.... or even joan crawford in mildred pierce? I mean these people had shown real acting talent...

[@georg_couch]

I mean, Bette was great and all, but she's been far better and to be honest her "mosaic of histrionics" in Of Human Bondage (yes, indeed, quite histrionic) is not at all nuanced and on the verge of overacting.

[@PalmurcioWorld]

Yeah, I also think that Whoopie was robbed for The Colour Purple but YES! Thank u so much for putting Muriel's Wedding and Dolores Clairbone of the list. Such 2 underrated performances, they weren't even nominated! And Kathy Bates in that role it's memorable.

[@BenRussell]

Yay! It's so good to see that someone else loves Muriel's Wedding. I agree, two extremely underrated performances.

[@PalmurcioWorld]

Ben Russell Extremely underrated performances and actresses, love they so much. You should take a look to my channel, I'm making videos of winners and nominees, I will upload thing in a few weeks.

[@fsupolitico]

Fascinating. Loved this

[@rupert2591]

How extraordinary...in a labyrinth of mediocrity...an intelligent, thoughtful list that I almost entirely concur with. I could nit-pick but it would be ungracious in the light of such a vast undertaking. I almost cheered when some of your choices appeared...especially the ones involved in daylight robbery!