15 Underrated Best Actress Winners 

Júlia Roberts is Great in Erin, but to win over one of the best performances in history of cinema from Burstyn

Judy Garland should have won the Academy Award for her role in "A Star is Born". What else can be said?

Great. Renee's performance in "Judy" was awesome. I believe she's a very good actress -> I loved her in "Chicago", too.

I like Judy Holliday, but there is no defense for how she got that Oscar over Davis or Swanson. I also like Kelly, but that should have been Garland's year. Conversely, Hunt has always struck me as the most mundane and dull leading actress that we had to endure during the 1990s. Just do not see her appeal at all.

What I find interesting about The Good Earth is that its divisive even among those who love it - either they like Paul Muni as Wang Lung but hate Luise Rainer as O-Lan or vice versa. I tend to come down on the side of Luise Rainer, and I say this coming back to when I first saw the film as a kid and cringed when I saw Muni's China man impersonation but whenever Luise Rainer came on the screen I at least got a sense that she was conveying a sense of humanity and quiet strength to her character. Should it have happened at all? No. Would Anna May Wong have been 100% better? Absolutely. Were Greta Garbo or Barbara Stanwyck more deserving of a win that year? Yes. Was this even consistent with how Pearl Buck wrote the original character? Not really, as the book version had a greater sense of agency and bravery (for instance in the book O-Lan uses her stealth and familiarity with the palace to find the jewels and escape during the riot, rather than just coming across them and narrowly escaping by sheer luck). I think people too often evaluate her performance through the lens of the various complaints I just listed and while they're all 100% valid I think aesthetically Rainer's O-Lan was as good as it was going to get, and if she hadn't gotten the part some other white actress would have and we probably would have had another Katharine Hepburn in Dragon Seed. I also love Paul Muni but honestly near the late 30s he started buying into the hype and overly relying on makeup, costumes, accents, etc. to sell his performances. There's a reason that films of his like Fugitive from a Chain Gang or Scarface have aged better than films like Emile Zola or Louis Pasteur, which are fine for their time but just come off as more stagy and pretentious. Rant over lol

Jennifer Jones, Song/Bernadette Anne Bancroft, Miracle Worker Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love Renee Zellweger, Judy underrated performances I think deserved the award

I love this video! such a wonderful change in terms of so much of the content that is on RU-vid looking at acting and performances. I love your generosity of spirit in this video. It seems real, and not forced. it is also laced with just the right amount of honesty and understanding of why a performance may have been judged a certain way, or why the win went a certain direction, etc. I was especially thrilled with your critique of Judy Holliday, and Geraldine Page. Two Oscar wins that I actually love, despite the reasons why know they are frustrating to others. and I very much agree that both performances of Page and Holliday are Oscar level in any year, under any circumstances. and I say this with the caveat of ALL ABOUT EVE and SUNSET BOULEVARD being in my top 5 films of all time. and THE COLOR PURPLE and Whoopi being in that mix really close by as well. I tend to enjoy these things (and art in general, when it is good) as more an embarrassment of riches, rather than a reason to cut someone or something down instead. why whittle away at art until it's just one twig? I would rather have a bejeweled perhaps even gaudy looking crown of shining jewels! (but that might just be me.) thanks for posting! I subscribed.

I really enjoy your work. Thank you for putting in all of this time for our enjoyment.

I just watched A Touch of Class for the first time in 2023, and I actually quite enjoyed it. I haven’t seen all the best actress performances that year, so I can’t really say if anyone got robbed, but I thought Jackson did a wonderful job in that role.

Thank you so much for this video. It is so refreshing. Yes, it is ok to like Grace Kelly and Luise Rainer and not fret about someone else being "robbed." I love The Country Girl and both of Luise Rainer's Oscar performances. I would also add that Elizabeth Taylor in Butterfield 8 was really not that bad. I know Taylor herself did not like the film, but I found her performance glamorous and at the same time tragic and deeply moving. It is indeed possible to enjoy these fine performances within the context and times they were created. Great video

Love this somewhat change-of-pace video, Fritz! I think you nail the problem with some of these performances when discussing the Grace Kelly win. The fact say, Luise Rainer won over Garbo and Stanwyck for two of their greatest performances adds a large measure of barbs being thrown towards Rainer, even though her work is, IMO, very moving and deserves merit (un-PC casting be damned), if maybe not an Oscar win. Also, with Kelly, she was of course in "Rear Window" in 1954, which many would now place among the top performances by a lead that year (and "Dial "M" for Murder" also has its fans), so there's the question of a star doing work equal or better than the nominated role in the same year, and if that can factor in as a legit win (similarly, Ginger Rogers also had excellent work in "The Primrose Path" to her credit in 1940). In any case, I do agree Kelly is impressive in "The Country Girl," and now you have me wanting to check out Rainer in "The Great Ziegfeld" again (I admit I was anticipating that famous telephone call, and may not have focused enough on her lighter work in the film during my initial watch).

Glenda Jackson was an incredible actress and I loved her both on stage and screen. But certainly not enough to say Gena Rowlands didn't deserve the Oscar that year for Woman Under the Influence. Gena Rowlands' performance is a master class in brilliance and I will never, ever forget it.

Jennifer Jones in Song of Bernadette is luminescent. There is no other word for it.

4:28 I wish she had won a few years later for "Duel in the Sun" instead. Jennifer was a rare beauty on film, sometimes giving the impression she was the most beautiful actress ever on the screen. Still at other times, she could appear in an almost ordinary look.

I'm also in the minority on Jackson's second win (not a fan of the first one for Women in Love). I loved A Touch of Class (still do), and though her win was a shock, I can see why she did. I also thought Zellweger was great in Judy, but the film and performance were definitely divisive among fans. Just a thought...how about the 1965 contest (Julie vs. Julie)?

Fritz, you mention Ingrid was not nominated for “Casablanca “ but she was nominated that same year in “For Whom the Bell Tolls”. I’d have preferred the nomination for “Casablanca “ but she did contend against Jones that year. I personally think Grace Kelly was way too young and miscast in “Country Girl”. Judy all the way there. But that’s why these videos are so great to watch. I get exposed to opinions and sides I may not have considered as I watch these films. Please keep these coming!

Memories fade fast and especially so with Hollywood legends of the Silver Screen. The two most remembered Stars these days are Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley primarily because of advertising and selling the imagery Greta Garbo will be remembered as was Cleopatra due to her beauty and uniqueness as a human being. Garbo's movies will be forgotten but her face never will be forgotten. As Louis B. Mayer said there were 3 great Actors, Garbo, Louise Dressler and Spencer Tracy.

I haven't seen most of these movies, but I waited the whole time to see if Renee Zellwegger's Judy performance would get some love, and I was not disappointed! Just that one scene, where she this entire one-take song with the most zonked and wide-eyed expression while she's drugged out of her mind yet still holding it together to deliver a beautiful song... that right there is cinema. I don't care what you think of the movie (I like it), that scene is fantastic and Zellwegger was a solid pick for the win. She was my favorite of the four nominees at least (I haven't seen Harriet so no comment there), don't remember if there was anyone I liked more overall.

I would love for Fritz to do a post on the challenges Ann-Margret had losing against two actresses playing polar opposites to the glamorous Ann-Margret.

Wins I love: Julia Roberts, Jessica Tandy, Geraldine Page, Renee Zellweger, and Anne Bancroft. Wins I like (but I wouldn't be mad if another actress had won): Judy Holliday, Helen Hunt, Hilary Swank Wins I hate: Luise Rainer, Grace Kelly, Ginger Rogers Performances I haven't seen: Jennifer Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow, Glenda Jackson

Wait a minute, am I in heaven 😂 just finished 1962 video and here you are again uploading a new one. Thanks Fritz

I love this video. I particularly enjoy how you give context to the performer and the performance. Your video is honest. I've always struggled with Glenda Jackson. I believe she is a great actress but I wasn't a fan of "Women In Love", yet, "A Touch Of Class" was enjoyable and accessible. Kelly and Garland will be debated until the end of time. I'm a huge Judy fan, and yes, Judy should have won, but Kelly's performance is by no means the travesty that time has allowed us to believe it is. Well done. Thank you for putting together a very intelligent and entertaining video. I've seen all of the performances that you mentioned. 😊😊

Do 15 most beloved Best Actress wins of all time.

Louise Rainer was a gifted actress and won 2 Oscars back to back. Her perforamnce in The Good Earth is exquisite. Geraldine Paige was a National treasure. Brilliant actress. One of the greatest. Long overdue Oscar!

Very good video, and allowed me to consider some thoughts outside of those entrenched reactions, probably made worse by otjer RU-vid accounts haha

Love Bette Davis, but I have understood the appeal of Baby Jane. In 37 it is amazing that either Garbo, Dunne, or Stanwyck didn't win over Rainer. Streisand should have won in 73.

Love Judy Holliday and her absolutely gorgeous performance that year. She deserved this Oscar. Bette and Gloria were brilliant, but Judy's performance just feels different. It's inventive, witty, and surprisingly empathetic. She's also a glorious actor and entertainer, and it's good the Academy had the guts to honour comedy (for once). I also happen to like Helen Hunt's win. She delivered a wonderful performance in a charming film.

Anne Bancroft deserved the Oscar for The Miracle Worker. Glenda Jackson did not for A Touch of Class. Pretty disgraceful to give the Oscar to her for that shit fest over nominees like Ellen Burstyn in The Exorcist or Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were.

Um....thanks for seeing the glass half full! Agrees: Judy Holliday; Jessica Tandy; Louise Rainer in Ziegfeld; Hilary Swank in "Million Dollar baby" Disagrees: either I haven't seen them or "If you can't say something nice" then...lol Also my mom watched a lot of TCM the last year of her life while bed ridden. She was deeply moved by Rainer in Good Earth, and to me that is at least a very personal testament of the performance's power. Don't hate on Rainer for the terrible social politics of the time! I also agree that Helen Hunt is charming and effective in "As Good as it gets." It's far from a poor performance. It's just that compared to almost anyone else nominated that year? "A Touch of Class" is the most early 70s of early 70s movies! Really kinda a hoot! Glenda Jackson was certainly a big part of whatever value one can find in it!

Jessica Lange in Blue Sky

Sandra Bullock in The blind side. I really love her in that movie although lot of people bring it down.

No. Grace Kelly did not deserve that Oscar. Judy Garland WAS robbed.

I remember disliking Renee's performance in Judy based on the trailer and wrote one of the few negative reviews of her performance when it was released...part of this are some very bad choices she made in scenes which had already appeared in Me and My Shadows.. comparing her 'phone' scene with Judy Davis finds her floundering, Judy Davis rightfully acts as if she hadnt slept for 30 years, Renee doesnt and this is one of a few basic errors of judgement or negligence that mar her performance..it wasnt a bad performance per se...it just didnt capture Judy, part of this is the lack of showing how Judy Garland became such a force, not Renee's fault of course but like many biopics it failed to convince us that this woman was one of the great performers of her time .... Jane Fonda once listed in the 70's Luise Rainer as her second favorite actress behind Vanessa Redgrave so you may have an ally there.... Though Whoopee was fine in Color Purple what we can say is that with Gerry being one of the great triumvirate of neurotic method queens along with Kim Stanley and Sandy Dennis, the reality is that despite their mannerisms they occasionally did things that other actresses couldn't, one only needs to examine what Sandy Dennis does in Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean to see this exemplified, I would argue Trip to Bountiful is Geraldine's similar moment, the complexity of what she does and the ease of access she has to momentary changes in emotion is a definitive template to what her teacher Uta Hagen was also known for, Goldberg in Color Purple seem very conventional by comparison... It was interesting that you mentioned Carole Lombard when looking at Glenda's work in Touch of Class as she was measured in more than a few reviews at the time against Carole in realm of romantic comedies and found to be a little heavy handed by comparison, though I think it depends how much one responds to Glenda's utilization of abrasive anger as a basic element to her acting and certainly no one else has managed to build a career on abrasion as significantly as she did..its true she isnt light and she doesnt breeze through this type of comic role in the way Lombard would have but that may be more forgivable if she didnt repeat the performance in House Calls, Hopscotch, Lost and Found etc..still...she always gave the impression of being 'expert' at what she does and her voice was a remarkable weapon

Great idea, meticulous execution. You don’t waste one second. Agree with most of these, especially Page-one of the greatest performances of all time, a win people seem to complain about more than actually watch. I always interpreted Paltrow’s triumph as a win for her annus mirabilis of 1998. She starred in five films-an It girl if there ever was one.

I am pleasantly shocked to report that I have no disagreements, although I simply don't know much about the earlier performers. The moment you mentioned Glenda Jackson, though, I felt a stirring in my heart that said "Yes!" It's as if people are embarrassed to admit that they enjoyed these performances and prefer to insist that they were "conned" somehow. Jackson, Page, Tandy, Hunt, Swank -- saw them all, enjoyed them all, plus Bancroft and Zellweger but in other movies. I think Roberts may be resented as "Pretty Woman" sliding by on charm, but that role was work. As for Paltrow, I have no idea how I would ever like her as a person -- but I have loved her in just about everything: Se7en, Sliding Doors, Proof, and yes, Shakespeare in Love and any movie featuring Iron Man. These wins are not absurd. What may be far more absurd is trying to pick an "objective best" in the first place.

Lists are oftentimes misleading. The list of non-academy awards is as impressive (if not more-so) that the list of winners. By the way I love Luise Rainer in all of her roles. I was lucky enough to have met her on two of her visits to Los Angeles in the 1980's and 1990's. An Actor is a person that plays the part of another person, and that includes different races and skin colors. That is what acting is all about. To say Anna Mae Wong should have played Olan in "The Good Earth" is a joke, as again acting is supposed to reflect playing the part of another person. Jennifer Jones may have been forgotten these days, but so have the legends of Hollywood.

Although I love Cher and believe she did a great job in "Moonstruck," the Oscar that year belonged to Glenn Close for "Fatal Attraction."

Helen Hunt's win is under apprecaited I think mainly because of who she beat,the comedic nature of the role and the fact she mainly a TV star apart from the big blockbuster Twister and the sfx are the star of that film. Zellweger was amongst a weak line up but she's very good in the film. Jackson is sneered at for the same reason as Hunt except Glenda was more of a star. Roberts win is one of the all time best plus Burstyn had an Oscar though techinacally she's superior to Julia. Tandy and Page are veteran wins but both are very good in okay films. Swanson should have won over Holliday but again she's sweet funny and reveals depths to Billie. I haven't heard anyone say Bancroft is underrated though most people pick Bette Swank is great in a very sympathtic part but Imelda should have won,it's a one of the best ever nominees who didn't win. Paltrow is fine in SIL but the film isn't for me and the supporting cast outshine her. I'd add Reese Witherpoons win to the list as she's good not outstanding but the line up wasn't very good anyway. Sally Field in Place in the Heart she's always solid and it's unfair how maligned this performance is Kennifer Lawrence is Silver Linings Playbook she's too young for the role but she has some great moments probably shouldn't have beaten Riva. Katharine Hepburn she's always great the role demands little,It was the line up she won over which is stellar that have sullied this win.

I can agree with everything said.

Luise Rainer deserved her Academy Award for The Great Ziegfeld. Her musical numbers were hugely enjoyable and dont get me started on the telephone scene.

Great video my friend

Sandra Bullock winning for The Blind Side is probably a disappointment. She should have got it for Gravity: it's so her. Sandra started her career in action films, so why not award her for one such film, or a romantic comedy? Damn Oscars ignoring such films because of stupid bias. Sandra gets an Oscar for another boring biopic/white saviour narrative. I still love Sandra Bullock.

Julianne Moore should have won for “Far From Heaven” should have bested Nicole Kidman for “The Hours”!

Really respect your opinion

So, basically every performance that appears on "Worst of" lists.

You can't ignored yellow face. Luise's first Oscar may have been deserving. But the second one was not deserving.

Pretty much a fantastic video! As you noted (re: the NY Film Critics Circle decision to "revisit" 1962 because the newspaper strike of 1962 meant there were no awards) taking things out of the historical context puts too much emphasis on whatever has been built up in terms of history, and so it is with all the performances you mention. Some notes: Ingrid Bergman was not nominated for CASABLANCA because that year, she was nominated for FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS. (At the Oscar dinner, when Jennifer Jones won, she apologized to Ingrid Bergman - they were sitting at the same table, the David O. Selznick table - and Bergman replied, They liked your Bernadette better than my Maria.) The idea that Anna May Wong should have played O-Lan has been around for decades, but was it even feasible in 1937? No. Also (and i say this as someone who loves Anna May Wong): why is it assumed that the role of O-Lan was within the range of Anna May Wong? She was used to playing smart (sometimes sinister) women, who were in control. Look at her performances in PICCADILLY, SHANGHAI EXPRESS, DAUGHTER OF SHANGHAI, WHEN WERE YOU BORN? She's always smart and savvy, often educated. She'd never played a subservient peasant woman in her life! Why is it just assumed that, because she was Chinese, that she should play such a part (because it's a Chinese part)? That's like casting Katharine Hepburn as an illiterate hillbilly (which was done in 1934 with SPITFIRE): it's as much an atrocity as Hepburn playing a Chinese peasant in DRAGON SEED. I know Anna May Wong wanted to play the part because it was the only major part for a Chinese woman to come from a major studio, but we'll never know whether she could have actually played the part. I do think Luise Rainer was pretty amazing, and such a contrast to her performance in THE GREAT ZIEGFELD.

Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth for sure

There’s never a time I have not enjoyed Driving Miss Daisy.

Helen Hunt is breathtaking and she had won every award until the Oscar where she won.. i think people still has a bias against people who won accolades in TV

René has a Great scene in Judy, Scarjo is great all over Marriage Story

Ex-Cath-o-lic here. Yes, SONG OF BERNADETTE.

What makes Julia Robert's distinct? Curious.

After putting Joan Fontaine in Suspicion as one of the worst winners. This has no sense. Miss Fontaine is one of the best winners ever (from winners that are not based on a play or biopic or have a great physical transformation)

I lived in Monte Carlo in 1982. I was in awe of Grace Kelly by then, Princess Grace. She was so sweet to me and everyone she met with her glorious smile. Of course every man in Hollywood fell in love with her!!!! She was kind, fun, beautifully dressed and gracious. I went to my first after party before they were called after parties in Monte Carlo in late August hosted by that great flamboyant Ricki di Portanova. He closed the Cafe Americaine at the Hotel de Paris and who starts the Conga line. The fabulous Princess Grace. She was such fun and wonderful. Tragically she died two weeks later in that horrible crash! I adored her! And I know everyone felt that Judy Garland should have won that year but let’s face it. Judy created her dreadful end! You can blame the studios and whatever they did to her. Many went through the same and did not end up a sad drug addict. But sadly she was her own undoing and Hollywood did not want her to win!!!!

Ellen Burstyn hands down should have won for "Requiem For A Dream", Roberts performance was strong, but not even Oscar worthy, I've always felt the Oscars and especially Golden Globes are just a popularity contest

I agree, Luise Rainer is so underrated. Her acting style has definitely aged but she had such a fascinating charisma that she could easily have been the next Garbo if she hadn't left Hollywood so early.

D'accord.

And Sandra Bullock??

Here's mine in chronlogical order 1.Claudette Colbert -she holds her own many praise Gable but she holds her own and then some. I think too it's a bit underrated because it's a romantic comedy 2.Judy Holliday -you summed it up but it's really a deft comedy and somewhat dramatic performance 3.Simone Signoret -Room At The Top she never hits a false note it feels so human and real but not many watched it either. 4.Sophia Loren -Two Women -maybe because not many have seen it and for some it's not in English and you have to watch closely but wow I was knocked sideways by her in this film such a firece mother protecting her kitten. That scene in the church and afterwards is shattering. 5. Anne Bancroft -The Miracle Worker -for the reason you said but reawtching it recently this is one of the greatest of all time. 6.Patricia Neal -Hud partly underrated because it's such a short amount of screentime for a lead performance but maybe it doesn't seem that important to the movies? Take her out I don't think it works as well and I think she add more to the role than another actress might have . 7.Glenda Jackson -A Touch of Class -She's really underrated here she makes the material work .Her sad moments are not too maudlin and her angry moments hit the right tone. The comedy she finds just the right level not weak but not too harsh either despite what some have said about it. 8.Ellen Burstyn -Alice doesn't Live Here Anymore . A strong decade for best actress despite it not being the best decade for films centering on women .Burstyn plays and ordiary woman better than almost anyone .It feels like one of the most real people roles that has won in this category. 9.Cher -Moonstruck -a romantic comedy that many think should win like ever but she also beat Glenn Close 10.Gwyneth Paltorw -well she beat Blanchett which some will never forgive any actress for doing but I agree it actually has aged well and I love the movie too. 11.Julia Roberts -yes for all the reasons you stated .She doesn't sufferer enough in the role but did Kathharine Hepburn in any of her wins? Julia Roberts is an example of the perfect actress for the role.I watched again recently and no one else could pull it off the way she did.Different types roles should be able to win. 12.Halle Berry -Monster's Ball because it was historic and beat out some strong contenders I think it's been underrated. She also has less focus than Billy Bob Thorton but she turn is a performance that has some many different feelings she has to show.She is abusive and depressed and desperate and sad and angry and needy it's a lot for a one movie 13.Julianne Moore -Still Alice .Moore gives such a nuanced performance of Alice .Moments of heistence and dispair of guilt she is passsing this one. I don't think it's a makeup Oscar in the sense it's not worthy of the award on it's own merit. 14.Renee Zelwegger -that momnet sheis with her younger kids and she tells she has to leave for a while it's just so memeorable .I love how she made a game of it instead of telling them to deal with it or cry herself .RZ gets a lot right here even if the movie isn't special or all the good itself. 15.Jessica Chastain -The Eyes of Tammy Faye .Even being one of my favorites I didn't think Chastain could make this work but she did .it's a bit like Renee it gets some unfair comparisons and critisisms .

My mother used to talk about Grace Kelly. Basically, she did COUNTRY GIRL, to get respect.

I loved Glenda Jackson's win too! What a fun performance

Great picks.

Bette was HISTORIC as Margo, and was totally robbed!

A great Master Class in acting itself...

And Streisand should have won in "The Way We Were" in 73.

Helen Hunt is the biggest joke here, bar none.

I have always found it amusing that most people who dont like the Judy Holiday win say it is a too over the top performance of a dumb blond....yet, their preferred performance is either Bette Davis' or Gloria Swanson's....talk about over the top performances!!! Lolol....the truth is Judy mastered this performance on the stage and you can tell that with every nuanced look of pain or perfect comedic movement or tone of voice. I love both Davis' and Swanson's performances, but subtle they are not. I think if Judy's life and career hadnt been cut short, her performance may have more context...or, as in the case of Linda Hunt or Haing S Ngor, it's simply the lightning in the bottle performance of a lifetime where the one person perfect for the role got to play it and captured the adoration of the public and academy voters of that time.

First of A

I don't what people are saying that Kate Winslet deserved to win for Titanic. I've seen that movie for too many times so is As Good As It Gets. Helen is definitely the stronger contender between the two. She is superb in that movie especially how she is brave enough to put with Jack Nicholson's vapid character in the film. I love how she becomes domineering around him that no one would even dare and she delivered that superbly.

The best performance among the nominated in 62 is Katharine Hepburn.

Renée Zellweger and Hillary Swank both have 2 99.9% of the other winners don't seems like petty jealousy they deserve their wins

A Touch of Class is just sooooo funny? The bedroom scenes with George Segal are pure comedy gold. George should have been nominated as well. Glenda definitely had a more relevant role for 2020s in Sunday Bloody Sunday: a love triangle with a gay man, a straight woman and a young male bisexual. Fabulous. Such a grown-up film.

Interesting that Rainier was considered beautiful in her day.

Controversy 🤯

The only one I can’t wrap my head around is luise rainer I know people are gonna jump on me for focusing too much on identity politics for her casting but it’s hard to do so knowing the baggage that fuels under her performance idk why people love to downplay that, even taking away the blatant racism surrounding her casting, her performance has aged horribly I feel with her performance, she’s trying much to hard ti portray O-Lain’s emotions and she ends up looking like a zombie in alot of scenes. I just think the combo of her racist casting and just her acting aging like milk is why her performance is discredited

If you’re an Oscar winner you are, by definition, not “underrated.” FFS, find a new word.

It's all subjective and the POV of this particular critic. Anyone can be a film critic and acting connoisseur. Just give them the title. An old expression: "Those who cant do, teach"!

No. I don't like Mrs paltrows performance at all.