The mega event of 'Oscars' was introduced with the objective of honoring the best talents in the film industry. The moment of winning Oscar Awards is a charismatic one. It is that point in the life of an artist, for which he/she craves throughout his career. Amongst the most popular Oscars is that for 'Best Actress in a Leading Role'. Earlier, this category was known as 'Academy Award of Merit for Performance by an Actress'.
However, from the 49th awards ceremony, it was renamed and the present name came into being. The award acknowledges the performance of actresses who turn a movie into a blockbuster. Here is the list of the actresses who have won 'Academy Award for Best Actress'.
Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role
|
Year
|
Winner
|
Film
|
|
2009
|
Kate Winslet
|
The Reader
|
|
2008
|
Marion Cotillard
|
La Vie en Rose
|
|
2007
|
Helen Mirren
|
The Queen
|
|
2006
|
Reese Witherspoon
|
Walk the Line
|
|
2005
|
Hilary Swank
|
Million Dollar Baby
|
|
2004
|
Charlize Theron
|
Monster
|
|
2003
|
Nicole Kidman
|
The Hours
|
|
2002
|
Halle Berry
|
Monster's Ball
|
|
2001
|
Julia Roberts
|
Erin Brockovich
|
|
2000
|
Hilary Swank
|
Boys Don't Cry
|
|
1999
|
Gwyneth Paltrow
|
Shakespeare in Love
|
|
1998
|
Helen Hunt
|
As Good as It Gets
|
|
1997
|
Frances McDormand
|
Fargo
|
|
1996
|
Susan Sarandon
|
Dead Man Walking
|
|
1995
|
Jessica Lange
|
Blue Sky
|
|
1994
|
Holly Hunter
|
The Piano as Ada McGrath
|
|
1993
|
Emma Thompson
|
Howards End
|
|
1992
|
Jodie Foster
|
The Silence of the Lambs
|
|
1991
|
Kathy Bates
|
Misery
|