Best Actor and Actress Oscar Winners: 1951-1971

Here is a quick reference guide to the Best Actor and Actress Oscar winners from the Academy Awards ceremonies from 1951 through 1971, with a brief description of the characters portrayed. The year after the winner’s name is the year the Oscar was awarded.

The 1950s through the 1970s films featured iconic performances in war dramas, musicals, and many inspiring character studies.

• José Ferrer (3/29/1951) – Cyrano de Bergerac (1950) as Cyrano de Bergerac
  Ferrer delivered a flamboyant and much-admired performance as Rostand’s poetic swordsman trying to hide heartbreaking insecurity behind a facade of bravado.
• Humphrey Bogart (3/19/1952) – The African Queen (3/20/1951) as Charlie Allnut
  Bogart’s rugged, humorous portrayal of a riverboat captain sparring with Katharine Hepburn’s missionary showcased his versatility beyond noir roles.
• Gary Cooper (3/19/1953) – High Noon (1952) as Will Kane
  Cooper’s stoic yet deeply human performance as a marshal “torn between love and duty” epitomized the Western hero, earning him his second Oscar.
• William Holden (3/25/1954) – Stalag 17 (1953) as J.J. Sefton
  Holden’s cynical, quick-witted portrayal of a POW navigating suspicion and betrayal brought sharp intelligence to a complex character.

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• Marlon Brando (3/30/1955) – On the Waterfront (1954) as Terry Malloy
  Brando’s raw, emotionally charged performance as a conflicted dockworker redefined screen acting, bringing method intensity to a transformative role.
• Ernest Borgnine (3/21/1956) – Marty (1955) as Marty Piletti
  Borgnine’s tender portrayal of a shy lonely butcher finding love was both heartfelt and authentic that many found relatable.
• Yul Brynner (3/27/1957) – The King and I (1956) as King Mongkut of Siam
  Brynner gave an iconic performance as the Siamese king that was comical at times, touching at others, but always commanding.
• Alec Guinness (3/26/1958) – The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) as Colonel Nicholson
  Guinness ably captures the strengths and weaknesses of the British colonel he portrays in this WW2 epic that takes place in a Japanese POW work camp .
• David Niven (4/6/1959) – Separate Tables (1958) as Major David Angus Pollock
  Niven showed off his range as a phony war veteran with a rather unsavory past
• Charlton Heston (4/4/1960) – Ben-Hur (1959) as Judah Ben-Hur
  Heston plays a Jewish prince who seeks revenge after being enslaved but is later redeemed. Religion and chariots play a big part in his extraordinary journey

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• Burt Lancaster (1961) – Elmer Gantry (1960) as Elmer Gantry
  Lancaster’s electrifying performance as a charismatic conman-turned-preacher was larger-than-life and one not to be missed.
• Maximilian Schell (1962) – Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) as Hans Rolfe
  Schell’s intense portrayal of a German defense attorney grappling with morality was gripping and intense.
• Gregory Peck (1963) – To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) as Atticus Finch
  Peck delivered an iconic performance as a lawyer with unyielding principles who refuses to compromise his morals.
• Sidney Poitier (1964) – Lilies of the Field (1963) as Homer Smith
  Poitier gave an unforgettably heartwarming and engaging performance as a handyman conned into building a chapel for a group of poor nuns.
• Rex Harrison (1965) – My Fair Lady (1964) as Henry Higgins
  Harrison’s witty, arrogant yet charming linguistics professor was a perfect blend of humor and sophistication.
• Lee Marvin (1966) – Cat Ballou (1965) as Kid Shelleen/Tim Strawn
  Marvin’s humorous dual role as a drunken gunslinger and his evil twin showcased his versatility.
• Paul Scofield (1967) – A Man for All Seasons (1966) as Thomas More
  Scofield’s dignified portrayal of the steadfast statesman was a masterclass in faith and conviction.
• Rod Steiger (1968) – In the Heat of the Night (1967) as Bill Gillespie
  Steiger gave a convincing portrait of a prejudiced Southern sheriff who must face his misguided beliefs to solve a crime.
• Cliff Robertson (1969) – Charly (1968) as Charly Gordon
  Robertson’s sensitive portrayal of a man gaining and losing intellectual gifts was both heartbreaking and compelling.
• John Wayne (1970) – True Grit (1969) as Rooster Cogburn
  Wayne’s gruff, endearing performance as the one-eyed marshal was a career-defining role, blending humor and mettle.

The ladies turned in magnificent performances dealing with an amazing range of human experiences.

• Vivien Leigh (1952) – A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) as Blanche DuBois
  Leigh’s performance as a faded and delusional Southern belle was a haunting portrayal of mental decline.
• Shirley Booth (1953) – Come Back, Little Sheba (1952) as Lola Delaney
  Booth’s poignant portrayal of a lonely housewife grappling with lost dreams was both raw and deeply empathetic.
• Audrey Hepburn (1954) – Roman Holiday (1953) as Princess Ann
  Hepburn’s radiant, charming performance as a princess on a whimsical escape defined her star quality and won hearts globally.
• Grace Kelly (1955) – The Country Girl (1954) as Georgie Elgin
  Kelly’s understated portrayal of a weary wife supporting her alcoholic husband showcased her dramatic depth beyond her glamorous image.
• Anna Magnani (1956) – The Rose Tattoo (1955) as Serafina Delle Rose
  Magnani’s fiery, passionate performance as a grieving widow finding love was a vibrant, earthy triumph.
• Ingrid Bergman (1957) – Anastasia (1956) as Anna Anderson
  Bergman’s second win for her portrayal of a woman claiming to be the Russian princess was both mysterious and emotionally rich.
• Joanne Woodward (1958) – The Three Faces of Eve (1957) as Eve White/Eve Black/Jane
  Woodward broke new ground with a stunning performance as a woman suffering from multiple personality disorder.
• Susan Hayward (1959) – I Want to Live! (1958) as Barbara Graham
  Hayward gave a fierce portrayal of a convicted woman’s ordeal when facing execution in this fictionalized version of a true crime.
• Simone Signoret (1960) – Room at the Top (1959) as Alice Aisgill
  Signoret’s soulful performance as a tragic lover in a class-driven romance was both passionate and devastating.
• Elizabeth Taylor (1961) – Butterfield 8 (1960) as Gloria Wandrous
  Taylor’s sultry, vulnerable portrayal of a call girl seeking redemption was a compelling blend of glamour and raw emotion.
• Sophia Loren (1962) – Two Women (1961) as Cesira
  Loren’s powerful performance as a mother protecting her daughter during wartime was a raw, emotional triumph, marking the first win for a non-English role.
• Anne Bancroft (1963) – The Miracle Worker (1962) as Annie Sullivan
  Bancroft’s strong portrayal of Helen Keller’s determined teacher was inspiring to behold.
• Patricia Neal (1964) – Hud (1963) as Alma Brown
  Neal’s understated performance as a housekeeper resisting a charismatic rogue was a compelling mix of strength and vulnerability.
• Julie Andrews (1965) – Mary Poppins (1964) as Mary Poppins
  Andrews’s enchanting portrayal of the magical nanny was a perfect blend of warmth, wit, and whimsy, launching her to stardom.
• Julie Christie (1966) – Darling (1965) as Diana Scott
  Christie’s vibrant performance as a model navigating fame and love was both glamorous and tragic, capturing the Swinging Sixties.
• Elizabeth Taylor (1967) – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) as Martha
  Taylor’s showed off her acting chops with a raw and explosive portrayal of a bitter shrew of a wife, winning a well-deserved second Oscar.
• Katharine Hepburn (1968) – The Lion in Winter (1967) as Eleanor of Aquitaine
  A second Oscar came Hepburn’s way for turning in a commanding performance of a powerful queen in a tale of royal chess.
• Katharine Hepburn (1969) – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) as Christina Drayton (tied with Barbra Streisand)
  Hepburn scooped up yet another Oscar for her heartfelt portrayal of a mother whose convictions are tested when confronting prejudice in her own family.
• Barbra Streisand (1969) – Funny Girl (1968) as Fanny Brice (tied with Katharine Hepburn)
  Streisand’s vibrant, comedic performance as the vaudeville star was a star-making turn, showing off considerable acting chops paired with her incomparable voice.
• Maggie Smith (1970) – The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) as Jean Brodie Smith’s captivating portrayal of an eccentric schoolteacher captured the character’s flawed idealism.