Oscar Winners: The Actors, Actresses, and Films That Made History

The Oscars, officially known as the Academy Awards, are the most prestigious and famous film awards in the world. Hollywood is said to have truly won The Oscars. The event tends to celebrate the best achievements in the industry. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) presents them annually. They honor artistic and technical merit in the film industry. The iconic gold statuette, officially named the Academy Award of Merit, is a symbol of the highest achievement in cinema. Winning an Oscar can catapult a filmmaker’s career and cement a film’s place in history. The ceremony itself is a major global event, celebrated for its glamour, fashion, and memorable moments.

Hollywood Actors and Actresses Won Oscars?

Countless actors have won Oscars throughout history. Listing them all is impossible. However, here are some of the most iconic and frequently mentioned winners in the lead acting categories.

Actresses (Leading Role)

1. Meryl Streep
   • Movies: Kramer vs. Kramer (1979 – Supporting), Sophie’s Choice (1982 – Lead), The Iron Lady (2011 – Lead).
   • Note: Holds the record for the most acting nominations (21).
2. Katharine Hepburn
   • Movies: Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967), The Lion in Winter (1968), On Golden Pond (1981).
   • Note: Holds the record for the most wins in the Lead Actress category (4).
3. Frances McDormand
   • Movies: Fargo (1996), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017), Nomadland (2020).
4. Vivien Leigh
   • Movies: Gone with the Wind (1939), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951).
5. Elizabeth Taylor
   • Movies: Butterfield 8 (1960), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).

Actors (Leading Role)

1. Daniel Day-Lewis
   • Movies: My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), Lincoln (2012).
   • Note: The only actor to win three Oscars in the Lead Actor category.
2. Jack Nicholson
   • Movies: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975 – Lead). Terms of Endearment (1983 – Supporting). As Good as It Gets (1997 – Lead).
3. Marlon Brando
   • Movies: On the Waterfront (1954), The Godfather (1972). (He famously refused the second award.)
4. Tom Hanks
   • Movies: Philadelphia (1993), Forrest Gump (1994).
5. Anthony Hopkins
   • Movies: The Silence of the Lambs (1991), The Father (2020).

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Recent Notable Winners (Last 5 Years)

Year	Best Picture	Best Director	Best Actor	Best Actress
2023	Everything Everywhere All at Once	Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert (EEAAO)	Brendan Fraser (The Whale)	Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
2022	CODA	Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)	Will Smith (King Richard)	Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
2021	Nomadland	Chloé Zhao (Nomadland)	Anthony Hopkins (The Father)	Frances McDormand (Nomadland)
2020	Parasite	Bong Joon-ho (Parasite)	Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)	Renée Zellweger (Judy)
2019	Green Book	Alfonso Cuarón (Roma)	Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)	Olivia Colman (The Favourite)

The Oscars represent the pinnacle of recognition in the film industry. They celebrate the incredible talent and collaborative effort required to make a movie. The list of winners provides a snapshot of cinematic excellence. However, it’s important to remember that the awards are also subjective. They often spark debate. Ultimately, the Oscars serve a greater purpose.

They preserve the history of cinema and inspire future filmmakers. They bring global attention to the powerful art of storytelling through film. You may or may not agree with the winners. Regardless, the ceremony remains a captivating cultural touchstone for millions around the world.

Recent Oscar Winners: Who Won What?

The Academy Awards, or Oscars, stand as Hollywood’s highest honor—celebrating excellence in filmmaking, acting, directing, writing, and technical artistry. Each spring, the world’s eyes turn to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. They come to witness film’s finest walk the red carpet. The competition is for the coveted golden statuettes.

2024 Oscars Highlights

• Best Picture: Oppenheimer
• Best Director: Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)
• Best Actor: Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
• Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)
• Best Actress: Emma Stone (Poor Things)
• Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)
• Best Original Song: “What Was I Made For?” (Barbie) by Billie Eilish & Finneas
  (Source: People.com, CNBC)

2025 Oscars Highlights

• Best Picture & Best Actress: Anora – Mikey Madison
• Best Director, Original Screenplay, & Editing: Sean Baker (Anora)
• Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
• Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
• Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana (Emilia Pérez)
  (Source: ABC7 Los Angeles)

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Diverse Hollywood, White Oscars?

Hollywood’s Growing Diversity

Studies show a significant increase in diverse representation on-screen. In 2019, 31% of the top 100 grossing films featured not white actors in starring roles. This reflects a rise of 14% from 2018. It is a remarkable 138% increase since 2007. Additionally, women and girls co-starred in 43 of those top films, marking a 13-year high (CNN).

Why the Oscars Still Feel White

Despite Hollywood’s on-screen evolution, the Oscars have lagged behind. In major acting categories, only one or two out of 20 nominees were people of color. This falls far short of the industry’s growing diversity.

Critics argue that the awards process reflects the composition of the Academy’s voting body. They suggest there is an imbalance in whose stories and performances are valued.

Efforts & Critiques of Inclusion

The Academy introduced new DEI eligibility rules for Best Picture. These rules are designed to improve representation both in front of and behind the camera. In 2024, featured films included 19% more female-led projects and 20% more not white nominees compared to the previous year. However, critics argue these are superficial: even films like Oppenheimer—with its all-white cast—qualified due to studio-level compliance, not meaningful inclusion.

Systemic Barriers Remain

Studies reveal systemic inequities. Movies with two or more Black creatives in key off-screen roles received over 40% less funding. However, they generated 10% higher box-office returns .
This reveals that disparities persist not just in recognition, but in the very resources fueling creative work.

Conclusion

The Oscars remain a high-water mark in cinematic acclaim. They highlight a deeper disconnect. Hollywood has become more diverse. Yet its most visible institution still reflects old norms. Awards are not just trophies—they’re symbols of whose stories matter. Real progress means enriching both screens and decision-making rooms. Until the structures behind the art evolve, true diversity will remain a goal, not a guarantee.