Best Actress: Meryl Streep

Given that Viola Davis seemed to have a lock on this category, Meryl Streep's victory for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady was a shocker. And her acceptance speech was typically spunky and hilarious. Seventeen-time Oscar nominee Streep had already won the Golden Globe and the BAFTA for this role, but her Academy Award was wholly deserved. Next time, Viola.