Film: The Aviator
Previous best supporting actress wins for role: Screen Actors Guild; Online Film Critics Society; Orange British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)
Previous Oscar nominations/wins:
Nominated for Best Actress, Elizabeth (1998)
Character Bio: Blanchett fearlessly takes on the daunting task of playing probably the most famous actress of the 20th century, infusing the role of Katharine Hepburn with her own style. Rather than just an imitation–the athletic stride and sense of cool ambition, the breathy laugh and the rapid-fire delivery of speech–Blanchett makes Hepburn a living person. And as Howard Hughes’ paramour, and quite possibly the only woman he truly loved, she also gives Hepburn a softer, more vulnerable side, especially in how well she understands Hughes’ phobias as she tries to help him get over them.
