1. Dianne Wiest, Bullets Over Broadway
2. Mercedes Ruehl, The Fisher King
3. Juliette Binoche, The English Patient
4. Whoopi Goldberg, Ghost
5. Marisa Tomei, My Cousin Vinny
6. Kim Basinger, L.A. Confidential
7. Judi Dench, Shakespeare in Love
8. Mira Sorvino, Mighty Aphrodite
9. Anna Paquin, The Piano
10. Angelina Jolie, Girl, Interrupted

This article is part of a special year-long series of anecdotes, reflections and thoughts about the Academy Awards.