In Marc Forster’s 2001 drama “Monster’s Ball,” Halle Berry performs Leticia Musgrove, a girl on the finish of her rope. Her husband has been convicted of homicide and is executed by the state of Georgia early within the movie. Leticia is making an attempt to place her life again collectively when her son Tyrell (Coronji Calhoun) is hit by a automotive and dies. Leticia can solely discover consolation within the arms of a gruff jail warden named Hank (Billy Bob Thornton), whose personal son (Heath Ledger) just lately died by suicide. What Leticia does not know, nonetheless, is that Hank oversaw her husband’s execution. It is all very sophisticated, however dealt with tactfully and with the utmost sensitivity. “Monster’s Ball” is a fairly nice movie.
Berry received the Oscar for Finest Actress for taking part in Leticia on the 2002 Academy Awards ceremony, beating out Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Sissy Spacek, and Renée Zellweger. Her victory was well-deserved.
She was solely the seventh Black lady to have been nominated for Finest Actress on the Oscars. Earlier nominees included Dorothy Dandridge (for “Carmen Jones” in 1954), Diana Ross (for “Woman Sings the Blues” in 1972), Cicely Tyson (for “Sounder,” additionally in 1972), Diahann Carol (for “Claudine” in 1974), Whoopi Goldberg (for “The Shade Purple” in 1985), and Angela Bassett (for “What’s Love Obtained to Do With It?” in 1993). Berry was additionally the primary to really win within the class. It was a banner second for Black ladies in all places, and a “lastly!” second for the Academy.
One other notable document was damaged that 12 months as properly. As a result of Denzel Washington received Finest Actor for his controversy sparking function in Antoine Fuqua’s “Coaching Day,” the 2002 Oscars marked the primary time that Black actors received the 2 prime appearing awards in the identical night time.
Since Berry received, nonetheless, no different Black ladies have received within the Finest Actress Oscar class. Since 2002, solely six further Black ladies have even been nominated (certainly one of them twice), however none of them have taken residence a statuette. Berry nonetheless holds the document.
No Black lady has received the Finest Actress Oscar since 2002
Since 2002, the next six Black ladies have been thought-about for Finest Actress. Gabourey Sidibe was nominated in 2009 for taking part in the titular function in Lee Daniels’ “Treasured.” Viola Davis was nominated two instances, in 2011 for “The Assist” and in 2020 for “Ma Rainey’s Black Backside.” In 2012, eight-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis was nominated for “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” and she or he holds a document for being the youngest individual ever nominated for a Finest Actress Oscar. Ruth Negga was nominated in 2016 for her efficiency in “Loving,” and Cynthia Erivo was nominated in 2019 for taking part in Harriet Tubman in “Harriet.”
Most just lately, Andra Day was nominated for taking part in Billie Vacation in Daniels’ “The US vs. Billie Vacation.” By the way, Diana Ross’ nomination in 1972 was additionally for taking part in Billie Vacation.
The Academy’s Finest Supporting Actress class has had extra nominations for Black ladies, totaling 29 since 1939. Hattie McDaniel famously received Finest Supporting Actress for her function in “Gone With the Wind,” and lots of Hollywood historical past buffs know that she was solely allowed within the constructing as a particular favor; the Ambassador Lodge the place the Oscar ceremony was held was a segregated venue. McDaniel could not be a part of her white co-stars for the after-party as a result of it, too, was held at a segregated venue.
Seven Black ladies had been nominated for Finest Supporting Actress after McDaniel, however none of them received till Goldberg in 1990 for her efficiency within the film “Ghost.” It “solely” took 50 years.
Since 2004, although, 19 movies have featured nominated performances from Black ladies, and eight of these ladies have received. Most just lately, Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph received an Oscar for taking part in Mary in 2023’s “The Holdovers.” Danielle Brooks was nominated that very same 12 months for taking part in Sofia in “The Shade Purple.” By the way, Oprah Winfrey was nominated for a similar function within the 1985 movie model of “The Shade Purple.”
