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2023 NAACP Image Awards: See Which 3 Leading Ladies Have Dominated the ‘Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture’ Category

These onscreen stars all are part of a small esteemed group.

We are gearing up for the biggest night in Black Hollywood next month with the 2023 NAACP Image Awards. Ahead of the prestigious night filled with award-winning moments, dynamic performances, and speech acceptance moments, you won’t want to miss. We’re looking back at past winners and some of their most memorable on-screen performances. These legendary actresses dominated not only in their field but in ceremony history. In honor of this year’s event, keep reading to find which three leading ladies have conquered the “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Category.”

  • Angela Bassett

    Golden Globe-winning actress Angela Bassett takes home first place with the most wins for “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” with five wins. The Academy Award-nominated star’s films include  What’s Love Got to Do with It, Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Sunshine State, and Black Nativity, respectively.

  • Whoopi Goldberg

    Historic EGOT member Whoopi Goldberg comes in second place after winning four awards in this particular category for her performances in projects, including The Color Purple, Fatal Beauty, A Long Walk Home, and the cult classic Sister Act.

  • Viola Davis

    Viola Davis earned three NAACP Image Awards for her performance in The Help and  Won’t Back Down projects in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Again, she would be recognized in this category for her contributions to the critically acclaimed film  Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, based on the 1982 play of the same name by August Wilson.

    Watch the NAACP Image Awards live on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 8:00 pm ET/PT on BET.

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