1. Sissy Spacek, Coal Miner’s Daughter
2. Meryl Streep, Sophie’s Choice
3. Geraldine Page, The Trip to Bountiful
4. Shirley MacLaine, Terms of Endearment
5. Jessica Tandy, Driving Miss Daisy
6. Jodie Foster, The Accused
7. Sally Field, Places in the Heart
8. Cher, Moonstruck
9. Marlee Matlin, Children of a Lesser God
10. Katharine Hepburn, On Golden Pond

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