Academy Award for Best Actress

Emma_Stone_at_Maniac_UK_premiere_(cropped)

Janet_Gaynor_Argentinean_Magazine_AD_(newly_cropped)

Mary_Pickford_cph.3c17995u_(cropped)

Norma_Shearer_Stars_of_the_Photoplay

Marie_Dressler_-_1930_(cropped)

Helen_Hayes_1948

Katharine_Hepburn_publicity_photograph_(cropped)

Award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The Academy Award for Best Actress is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role while working within the film industry. The award is traditionally presented by the previous year's Best Actor winner.

History

The award was first presented at the 1st Academy Awards ceremony, held in 1929, to Janet Gaynor for her roles in 7th Heaven, Street Angel, and Sunrise. Initially, the award was not tied to a specific film, but this practice was changed in 1931.

Criteria

The Best Actress award is given to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role. The nominees and winner are selected by the Academy's actors branch, while the final winner is chosen by the Academy's entire membership.

Notable Winners

Some of the most notable winners of the Academy Award for Best Actress include:

• Katharine Hepburn, who holds the record for the most wins with four awards.
• Meryl Streep, who has been nominated a record 21 times and has won three times.
• Ingrid Bergman, who won the award three times.

Multiple Wins and Nominations

Several actresses have received multiple nominations and wins in this category. Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, and Elizabeth Taylor are among those who have won the award twice.

Recent Winners

Recent winners of the Academy Award for Best Actress include:

• Frances McDormand for Nomadland (2020)
• Renée Zellweger for Judy (2019)
• Olivia Colman for The Favourite (2018)

Ceremony

The award is presented at the annual Academy Awards ceremony, which is one of the most prestigious events in the film industry. The ceremony is broadcast live in more than 200 countries.

Related Pages

• Academy Award for Best Actor
• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
• Academy Award for Best Director
• Academy Award for Best Picture

See Also

• List of Academy Award winners and nominees for Best Actress
• List of actors with two or more Academy Awards in acting categories

Template:Film award-stub