Cate Blanchett
No one can question this Aussie actress' commitment to her work or her impressive range. Having started on stage with the National Institute of Dramatic Art and Sydney Theatre Company, the pale beauty made the leap to film in 1997 opposite Frances McDormand in "Paradise Road" and Ralph Fiennes in "Oscar and Lucinda," the trailer for which convinces the director of "Elizabeth" to cast the virtual unknown as the titular lead in his royal biopic. It earns her the first of her five Academy Award nominations. She won one for playing Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator," making her the only
