best-actress

She was named best actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards for her portrayal as a triad boss in 1998's "Portland Street Blues," and picked up a best-actress trophy at the Golden Horse Awards for her role as a prostitute in the bitter-sweet comedy-drama "Golden Chicken" from 2002.

A fine acting tradition Dean Napollitano 2011

We should note: a host of nominated actors have upcoming Disney projects, too -- including best-actress nominee Natalie Portman, soon to be seen in Marvel's "Thor"; Geoffrey Rush, returning as Barbossa for this summer's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"; and Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo, both set for 2012's "The Avengers."

THE 2011 OSCARS: Just how many wins might Disney/Pixar waltz off with? Michael Cavna 2011

It's the latest venture in her diverse and interesting life: From playing Clair Huxtable on the 1980s TV hit The Cosby Show to winning a best-actress Tony award on Broadway in 2004.

Heinz ketchup spruces up label with a tomato 2009

The best-actress field shapes up as a two-woman race between Annette Bening for "The Kids Are All Right," who won the Globe for actress in a musical or comedy, and Natalie Portman for "Black Swan," who received the Globe for dramatic actress.

Oscars 2011 Nominations List Huffington Post/AP 2011

The best-actress Oscar winner stunned with glossy sleek locks on the red carpet courtesy of Frederic Fekkai's Silky Straight smoothing serum. $23 at Fekkai. com

Fashion Forward: Designer Adler joins All Mankind 2010

Natalie Portman took the best-actress award for her performance as a perfectionist ballerina in Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan."

'King's Speech' Wins Best Picture Ethan Smith 2011

When she won her best-actress Oscar for "Monster," she also underwent a physical transformation, but this is arguably trickier.

The Art House vs. the Multiplex: Three That Walk the Line Michelle Kung 2011

Ms. McTeer, who studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, has kept a relatively low profile in Hollywood since she garnered a best-actress Oscar nomination for playing a Southern single mom in the 1999 indie "Tumbleweeds."

The Other Woman in 'Albert Nobbs' Rachel Dodes 2011

She was nominated for a best-actress Oscar for that role and later for best supporting actress for playing a loyal housekeeper in Gods and Monsters (1998).

We'll always love Lynn Redgrave, that great 'Georgy Girl' 2010

Other best-actress nominees are Nicole Kidman as a grieving mother in "Rabbit Hole"; Jennifer Lawrence as a teen trying to find her missing father amid the Ozark Mountains' criminal underbelly in "Winter's Bone"; and Michelle Williams as a wife in a failing marriage in "Blue Valentine."

Oscars 2011 Nominations List Huffington Post/AP 2011