How 20 Best Oscar Actress Winners Have Changed Since Winning Their First Oscar?

Winning an Oscar is certainly one of the best things in the acting career of all actors and actresses. Their performances received critical acclaim, which means their professional acting skills and dedication over the years are globally recognized. This would be a milestone and breakthrough in their career, pushing a few steps further.
Many Oscar-winning actors and actresses keep moving on and have a more successful career than ever before. Some even challenge themselves with different roles and film genres, and their efforts come to fruition. They become recipients of numerous acclaimed nominations and awards. Their firsts and successes have inspired actors of younger generations in their field.
This list includes 20 best Oscar actress winners. Take a look to see what these talented performers have been to since winning their first Oscar. They grow older, of course, but their achievement list is enriched.

#1 Cher

In 1988, Cher won her first Oscar for best actress with her performance in the 1987 American romantic comedy-drama film "Moonstruck".
The actress continues to keep her busy with acting in the 2010s and 2020s, appearing in "Burlesque" and "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again."

#2 Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster's first win came in 1989 for her role as young waitress Sarah Tobias in the legal drama film "The Accused". And once again, she won the best actress in 1992 for her performance in "Silence of The Lambs,".
At age 59, she won a Golden Globe in 2021 for playing real-life lawyer Nancy Hollander in the legal drama film "The Mauritanian".

#3 Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates played the psychopathic Annie Wilkes in the 1990 psychological thriller film "Misery". This role earned her an Oscar for best actress in 1991. The actress has been nominated for three more Oscars since "Misery."
In 2022, Bates stars in the adaptation of the beloved 1970 novel "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," alongside Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Abby Ryder Fortson.

#4 Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson's role as Margaret Schlegel in the film adaptation of the 1910 novel "Howards End" earned her the first Oscar nomination and award in 1993.
The actress hasn't won another Oscar for acting, but she did win in 1995 for her screenwriting.

#5 Holly Hunter

In the 1993 film "The Piano", Holly Hunter portrayed a mute Scottish woman who moves to New Zealand in the 1800s. This performance won her an Oscar for best actress in the same year.
The actress later appeared in "The Incredibles", "Incredibles 2," and "The Big Sick" which earned her a Screen Actors Guild nomination.

#6 Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange's portrayal of the unpredictable military wife Carly Marshall in the 1994 film "Blue Sky" won her first best actress Academy Award in 1995.
The actress currently holds a Golden Globe nominations record. At 72, Lange is best known for her TV work, specifically, for her collaborations with Ryan Murphy.

#7 Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon took home her first Oscar in 1996 for her performance as a nun in "Dead Man Walking."
Recently, the actress was nominated for an Emmy for "Feud: Bette and Joan."

#8 Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand played Minnesotan police chief Marge Gunderson in "Fargo" which earned her an Oscar award in 1997.
The actress won the best actress twice more, in 2018 and 2021 for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" and "Nomadland", respectively.

#9 Helen Hunt

Helen Hunt's portrayal of waitress Carol in the 1997 romantic comedy-drama film "As Good as It Gets" won her best actress in 1998.
Hunt was nominated for her second Oscar in 2013 for "The Sessions". The actress played Jamie in the 2019 revival of "Mad About You."

#10 Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow played would-be actress Viola de Lesseps in "Shakespeare in Love," which earned her an Oscar award and nomination for best actress in 1999.
Paltrow is now retired from acting, choosing instead to focus on her lifestyle brand, Goop.

#11 Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank won her first two Oscars in 2000, and again in 2005 for her performance in "Boys Don't Cry" and "Million Dollar Baby," respectively.
She has been very active in acting. Recently, she starred in two films "The Hunt" and "Fatale."

#12 Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts finally took home an Academy Award in 2001 for her portrayal of real-life lawyer Erin Brockovich in "Erin Brockovich". She had previously got three nominations.
The actress was nominated for her fourth Oscar in 2014 for "August: Osage County."

#13 Halle Berry

Halle Berry has been the first — and still, to date, only — Black woman to win best actress so far. She won her best Oscar for "Monster's Ball" in 2002.
The actress made her directorial debut in 2020, directing her first movie "Bruised" in 2020 which was released on Netflix.

#14 Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman played writer Virginia Woolf in the psychological drama film "The Hours" which won her best actress in 2003.
Recently, the actress has been nominated for a fifth Academy Award portraying Lucille Ball in "Being the Ricardos."

#15 Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron won her first Oscar in 2004 for portraying real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in "Monster."
The actress received her third nomination in 2020 for "Bombshell."

#16 Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon took home her first Oscar for playing June Carter Cash, wife of Johnny Cash in the 2006 biopic "Walk the Line."
She was nominated for a second Academy Award in 2015 for "Wild."

#17 Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren won her first statue on her third try for "The Queen" in 2007. Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II makes her one of many actresses who have taken on the monarch's role on screen.
She received her second nomination for "The Last Station."

#18 Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard portrayed French singer Édith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose," making her the first person to win an Oscar for performing in French in 2008.
She was nominated for a second Academy Award in 2015 for "Two Days, One Night."

#19 Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet finally took her first statue home on her sixth try for "The Reader" in 2009.
She starred in the HBO miniseries "Mare of Easttown" and received many awards for her performance, including the Golden Globe, the Emmy, and the SAG Award.

#20 Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock played small blonde woman Leigh Anne Tuohwon in the biographical sports drama film "The Blind Side". Her performance earned her first Academy Award in 2010.
The actress received her second nomination in 2014 for "Gravity."