The Oscar record is still held by Bette Davis and Greer Garson

bette davis, One of the best actresses of all timeShe was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress 11 times in her career. Some reckless Oscar historians might say she’s only been nominated 10 times, though her nomination for 1934’s Human Bondage was one of the most important. Very few writing voices have ever been allowed by the Academy. Records show that Davis, although not officially nominated by the Academy, still finished third that year.

But Davis only won two Oscars. The first was for her performance in Dangerous in 1935, and the second was for a Scarlett O’Hara-like role in Jezebel in 1938. Hollywood eventually learned that her performance in Jezebel was the first in a string of nominations that would continue for five consecutive years. In 1939, Davis was nominated for her performance in Dark Victory. The year 1940 saw her nominated for the Thesis Prize. In 1941, it was for “The Little Foxes,” and in 1942, it was for “Now, Voyager.”

In 1942, Davis (understandably) lost the Best Actress award to Greer Garson, star of William Wyler’s Best Picture-winning Mrs. Miniver.

However, this win was a parallel Oscars hot streak that Garcon herself was on as well. In 1941, Garson received a Best Actress nomination for Blossoms in the Dust, and then in 1943, Garson played the title role in Marie Curie, receiving another nomination. In 1944, Garson was honored for her performance in “Mrs. Parkington,” and finally, in 1945, Garson received her fifth annual Best Actress nomination for “Decision Valley.”

Overall, Garcon received seven Best Actress nominations in her career. No performers other than Davis and Garcon have been nominated for Best Actress five years in a row. They were among the biggest acting forces of their generation.