Guide to Oscar: Best Actress

The Best Actress category is one of the original categories, although in the Oscar's first year the actors were rewarded for their body of work during a year, rather than for a single performance. In every year since actors have only been eligible for recognition for one film in any given year.

This year's nominees:

Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs

6th nomination. Previously nominated as Lead Actress for Dangerous Liaisons and Fatal Attraction, and as Supporting Actress for The Natrual, The Big Chill and The World According to Garp.

Viola Davis, The Help

2nd nomination. Previously nominated as Supporting Actress for Doubt.

Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

First nomination.

Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

17th nomination. 2 previous wins for Sophie's Choice (Lead Actress) and Kramer vs. Kramer (Supporting Actress). Previous nominations for Lead Actress for Julie & Julia, Doubt, The Devil Wears Prada, Music of the Heart, One True Thing, The Bridges of Madison County, Postcards From the Edge, A Cry in the Dark, Ironweed, Out of Africa, Silkwood and The French Lieutenant's Woman, and for Supporting Actress for Adaptation. and The Deer Hunter.

Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn

3rd nomination. Previously nominated as Lead Actress for Blue Valentine and as Supporting Actress for Brokeback Mountain.