Worst2First: My Top Ten Best Actress Oscar Winners

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Best Actress Oscar Winners

When it comes to Best Actress, the category has had a long lineage of Hollywood women who've revolutionized the big screen.  Each performance is so memorable that not only were they worthy of the coveted award, their presence continues to influence and amaze moviegoers to this day.

Here are my personal top ten Best Actress Oscar winners, worst2first...

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#10

Julianne Moore

"Still Alice"

Julianne Moore is one of Hollywood's most powerful leading ladies, performing in such epic works as "The Hours," "The Kids Are Alright," "Children of Men," and "Far From Heaven," but it's her role as Alice Howard - a linguistics professor who deals with being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease - that finally earned her the Oscar.  Her performance is powerful and memorable, bringing both a sense of pain and also determination in a role dealing with a life-altering issue that unfortunately millions of people deal with.

#9

Julia Roberts

"Erin Brockovich"

The Academy loves honoring actors who play real-life people, and Julia Roberts portrayed Erin Brockovich - an average woman who nearly single-handedly brought down a corrupt power company - in a way that gave her her first Oscar, becoming one of her most memorable characters.

#8

Meryl Streep

"The Iron Lady"

No other actress has been as decorated as Miss Meryl, who's broken the record for the most Academy Award nominations with a staggering 21, winning three.  Yet it's her portrayal as Britain Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that was the best in my opinion, due to her natural strength and versatility that she brought to the role, solidifying her a living legend and icon that will never be surpassed.

#7

Hilary Swank

"Boys Don't Cry"

In the 2000s, Hilary Swank was a highly sought-after actress, resulting in several choice roles and accolades.  Her first Oscar win was for her portrayal of Teena Brandon, a trans gender young adult who tries to hide her true identity while living in rural Nebraska, and she's clearly deserving of the Oscar.  Her performance was powerful and provocative, a then-groundbreaking role that cemented her reputation as a highly intelligent actress.

#6

Hilary Swank

"Million Dollar Baby"

Five years after winning her first Oscar, Hilary Swank found herself on stage again, accepting another Best Actress Oscar, this time for her portrayal of Maggie Fitzgerald, a wannabe boxer who trains with a hardened professional in order to achieve her dream, and whose relationship transforms both of them forever.  She easily deserved this Oscar, as she performed brilliantly and gave a moving, stunning performance.

#5

Charlize Theron

"Monster"

It takes a lot to transform one of cinema's most beautiful women into someone totally unrecognizable, and that's what Charlize Theron accomplished in "Monster."  She plays real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos, who murdered several johns while moonlighting as a prostitute to support herself and her girlfriend.  Her transformation was pure Hollywood magic, and her performance guaranteed her Oscar gold.

#4

Kathy Bates

"Misery"

It's extremely rare for a horror film to earn Academy Award nominations, and unheard of when they actually win one.  Yet Kathy Bates - who played psychotic fan Annie - gave such a once-in-a-lifetime performance that it couldn't help but be recognized.

#3

Natalie Portman

"Black Swan"

Every so often, a role comes along that defines an actress and leaves an indelible print in history, and for Natalie Portman, that came in Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan."  She portrayed Nina, a woman obsessed with landing the leading role in "Swan Lake" that ultimately drove her to madness in a way that's memorable, powerful, and absolutely unnerving.

#2

Frances McDormand

"Fargo"

Frances McDormand is one of the most unsung actresses of our time, a working woman's version of Meryl Streep, who infuses her performances with her natural charisma and steely resolve.  Her portrayal of pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson in "Fargo" showcased her natural talents as well as giving her an extremely meaty role that she knocked out of the park.

#1

Helen Mirren

"The Queen"

Dame Helen Mirren is a visionary delight, an iconic actress who's nailed every performance she lands, but it's her iconic role as Queen Elizabeth II that gave her the Oscar.  She played the ever reclusive Queen after the events of Princess Diana's death, and struggled with how to deal with such a devastating tragedy in the light of worldwide scrutiny, and did so with elegance and grace that only she possesses.