February 2, 2010 is right around the corner, and this year in addition to waiting for the results of a groundhog and his shadow, the world will be watching for the names of this year's 2010 Academy Award nominees. After her winning the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture for her work in Julie and Julia, most expect to see Meryl Streep amongst the Oscar nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
If Streep receives the nomination, she will move ahead of Katharine Hepburn to become the actress with the most Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar nominations of all time with the following films:
Meryl Streep's Best Actress Oscar Nominations and Wins
- The French Lieutenant's Woman in 1982
- Sophie's Choice in 1983 (Meryl won the Oscar for her work in this film.)
- Silkwood in 1984
- Out of Africa in 1986
- Ironweed in 1988
- Evil Angels in 1989
- Postcards from the Edge in 1991
- The Bridges of Madison County in 1996
- One True Thing in 1999
- Music of the Heart in 2000
- The Devil Wears Prada in 2007
- Doubt in 2009
Not only is Hepburn currently tied with Meryl Streep for Oscar nominations, the actress also has the distinction of winning the most Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role with four wins during her career. Her wins and nominations records include
Kathryn Hepburn's Best Actress Oscar Nominations and Wins
- Morning Glory in 1934 (This was Hepburn's first Oscar win.)
- Alice Adams in 1936
- The Philadelphia Story in 1941
- Woman of the Year in 1943
- The African Queen in 1952
- Summertime in 1956
- The Rainmaker in 1957
- Suddenly, Last Summer in 1960
- Long Day's Journey into Night in 1963
- Guess Who's Coming to Dinner in 1969 (This was Hepburn's second Oscar win.)
- The Lion in Winter in 1969 (This was Hepburn's third Oscar win.)
- On Golden Pond in 1982 (This was Hepburn's fourth and final win.)
Amongst actresses who received more than one nomination for the Best Actress in a Leading Role, but never won, actressDeborah Kerrhad the most Oscar losses in the category without ever winning. In 1994, the Academy granted Kerr an Honorary Oscar as a tribute to work.
Deborah Kerr's Oscar Nominations
- Edward, My Son in 1950
- From Here to Eternity in 1954
- The King and I in 1957
- Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison in 1958
- Separate Tables in 1959
- The Sundowners in 1961
Amongst living actresses, there are several women who have won two Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role. They Are:
Luise Rainer
- The Great Ziegfield in 1936
- The Good Earth in 1937
Olivia de Havilland
- To Each His Own in 1946
- The Heiress in 1949
Elizabeth Taylor
- Butterfield 8 in 1960
- Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 1966
Glenda Jackson
- Women in Love in 1970
- A Touch of Class in 1973
Jane Fonda
- Klute in 1971
- Coming Home in 1978
Sally Field
- Norma Rae in 1979
- Places in the Heart in 1984
Jodie Foster
- The Accused in 1988
- Silence of the Lambs in 1991
Hilary Swank
- Boys Don't Cry in 1999
- Million Dollar Baby in 2004
Other notable Best Actress in a Leading Role wins include youngest winner Marlee Matlin for Children of a Lesser God at the age of 21 in 1986, oldest winner Jessica Tandy for Driving Miss Daisy at the age of 80 in 1989 and first African American winner Halle Berry in 2001.
What history will this year's Academy Awards make? Find out when the awards take place on March 7, 2010. In the meantime, you may want to brush up on your history for other Oscar awards like Best Director or Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Hayley Harrison - Hayley Harrison is a 2003 Cum Laude graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to courses in fiction and nonfiction writing, ...
