What Is the Oscar Best Supporting Actress Award
The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress honors an outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role in a film. It is one of the acting categories presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The winner is selected by Academy members from the actors and actresses branch.
History and Notable Winners
The award was first presented at the 1937 ceremony for performances in films released the previous year. Early winners included Gale Sondergaard and Alice Brady. In later decades, the category recognized performances by actresses such as Hattie McDaniel, Whoopi Goldberg, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, reflecting a wide range of film genres and eras.
How the Winner Is Chosen
Academy members vote in a multi-step process. First, eligible films and performances are nominated by branch members. Then, all voting members choose the winner from the shortlisted nominees. The result is announced during the Oscars ceremony, which is broadcast globally and widely covered by outlets including the official Academy site at https://www.oscars.org.
