#7: Bette Davis (1936)

Screen icon Bette Davis claimed her first Oscar for Dangerous, playing a struggling actress whose talent is overshadowed by personal turmoil. This win marked the beginning of an extraordinary Academy Award legacy—she would go on to become the first performer ever to earn ten nominations.

Over her 50-year career, Davis redefined what it meant to be a leading lady, taking on complex, often unlikable roles with fearless intensity. Her sharp wit, commanding presence, and refusal to conform made her one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and enduring stars.