Though there is still a void between the quality and quantity of roles between actresses and actors, Hollywood’s women are enjoying unprecedented power. So then, who are the considered to be the best actresses in Hollywood at the moment…

10. Jodie Foster

A quiet and understated performer who made a big splash in Hollywood when she appeared as a child prostitute in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, she has combined dramatic roles in niche films with mainstream action movie roles. Her most remembered role is in The Silence of the Lambs. She also had lead roles in Panic Room and The Brave One.

9. Nicole Kidman

One of the most powerful female actors in Hollywood, she has been acting in movies since she was a child. Even though she grew up in Australia, she was actually born in Hawaii. Her private life has, unfortunately, overshadowed he career at times, but the ending of her marriage to Tom Cruise has resulted in the focus once more being placed solely on her acting talents. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2002 for her performance in The Hours.

8. Halle Berry

Halle Berry was the first actress of African-American descent to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her 2001 performance in Monster’s Ball. She is best known for her roles in James Bond movie Die Another Day, in which she played the part of the infamous Bond Girl, and as recurring character Storm in the X-Men movies.

7. Meryl Streep

Whether starring in small art films or big, mainstream hits, she consistently delivers memorable performances. Critical acclaim was achieved early on in her career for her role in Kramer Versus Kramer; a performance which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. A very versatile actress, she has worked across the full spectrum of genres, from comedy (Death Becomes Her), to musicals (Mamma Mia), to action (The River Wild).

You can find the rest of the list here - Top 10 Movie Actresses. To find other top 10 lists please visit http://fabten.com

Oscar nominations are always the buzz around Hollywood magazines and tabloids. The announcement of the official nominees is always anticipated. This year several actresses appeared on the ballots, many of whom have never had a nomination in the past.

First up is Sandra Bullock in the “Blind Side.” This heart warming movie touched everyone’s soul when seen in theaters around Thanksgiving. Her acting was precise and skilled, which it hasn’t always been. Sandra Bullock also performed in many other movies last year that won her recognition. Sandra Bullock is loved by most because she breaks the rules that most Hollywood actresses follow. She isn’t in the tabloids for controversial things, and she doesn’t party like other young starlets.

A lot of new actresses that have never been heard of jumped to the top of fame. Gabourey Sidibe is a charming, and now famous, Hollywood actress that starred in the movie “Precious.” This movie is the film adaptation of a novel called “Push.” Gabourey plays a teen mother living in the inner city and trying to get an education. Gabourey wasn’t famous before her role in this film, but she has been in the spotlight since the movie was released in theaters. The movie is truly one of the few phenomenal films of the year, and Gabourey will certainly continue to shine.

Carey Mulligan is a relatively newly heard of actress as well. Her role in An Education was so phenomenal that she was nominated for a Leading Actress award. In this film she plays an English school girl that is seduced by a much older man.

While Penelope Cruz wasn’t nominated for a leading actress role, she was nominated for a supporting actress role in the movie Nine. In this film she plays “Carla” mistress of a director. Her role is provocative and in depth, and very well played. Penelope Cruz generally plays a support role rather than a lead role, but her acting is always superior.

Unlike other movie stars, Mo’Nique hasn’t been in the spotlight. Even though she is well known in Hollywood, she tends to lay low. She also played in the movie, Precious, based off the novel “Push” by Sapphire. She plays the evil mother that is abusive and beats her pregnant daughter. Her role is very realistic and powerful - which is why she was nominated as a supporting actress.

Final Thoughts

Hollywood actresses are constantly coming and going, but the women listed above are sure to stay in the spotlight due to their recent stunning performances for their groundbreaking films last year. Whether they are supporting or leading, they certainly deserve the fame that they worked hard for.

Learn more on Hot Actress and Bollywood Actress.

Less than a month after his demolition of Japanese pop culture icon Bob Sapp, former WWE superstar turned MMA fighter Bobby Lashley has opted to return to the scripted world of professional wrestling. Lashley made his debut for #2 US wrestling promotion TNA on their Victory Road PPV in late July. Lashley had already made several on-camera appearances for the promotion, but the signing will mark his return to in-ring action. Lashley’s last in-ring pro wrestling appearance came in Mexico on a show for Lucha Libre promotion AAA.

Reports suggest, however that hes not giving up his MMA career. In interviews prior to the TNA signing Lashley indicated that he was leaving the door open to return to pro wrestling for its significant financial upside, while remaining committed to his shoot fighting efforts. Lashley trains in Florida with the prestigious American Top Team, and ran his record to 4-0 with his victory over Sapp in late June. A press release issued by TNA this morning further validated his suggestions that he planned to do both sports. Lashey himself is quoted as saying:

I want to do both because I can. TNA is giving me the opportunity to compete in both sports which I have a passion for. I will bring MMA fans to wrestling and wrestling fans to MMA

TNA President Dixie Carter also praised Lashley in announcing the signing:

This is a great opportunity for Bobby to do something that has never been done before. He is the perfect ambassador for both sports. We are excited to have him join TNA, he is a true star that brings so much to the table as a member of our roster.

Despite TNAs claims that Lashley is the first active MMA fighter to compete full time in pro wrestling, that’s not the case. Its very common in Japan, where fighters frequently compete in shoot fights like MMA while simultaneously appearing in worked (eg: pre-determined) pro wrestling contests. In fact, Josh Barnett, originally slated to face Fedor Emelianenko at the ill fated Affliction: Trilogy event still makes several appearances a year for Antonio Inokis Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) promotion. Following his positive drug test in California, he may spend ore time in pro wrestling. Lashley isn’t even the first to pull the feat in the US, though hes definitely the highest profile fighter/wrester to turn the trick since MMAs overwhelming boom in popularity. Dan The Beast Severn at one point simultaneously held the UFC heavyweight title and the NWA heavyweight title in pro wrestling.

Lashley’s departure from the WWE in early 2008 was very sudden and remains largely unexplained. He indicated at the time that his departure was not of his own volition but due to circumstances beyond his control. Interestingly, Lashley wasnt subject to a standard non-compete agreement. Speculation at this point suggested that he may have left in response to a racial incident, a theory given more validity when WWE writer (and former member of the Fabulous Freebirds tag team) Michael Hayes was suspended for a racial slur. Neither Lashley nor the WWE has ever confirmed the reason for his departure.

At the time he was released from the WWE, Lashley began training for MMA building on an extensive background of amateur wrestling from both college and the military. The UFC took a pass on Lashley due to the perception that they couldnt market him successfully so soon after Brock Lesnars debut. Lashley certainly has the physical gifts to compete at the highest level in MMA at 63 and 250 lbs. Some even suggest that he may have more potential than Lesnar due to a possible edge in speed and agility. Lesnars recent unification of the UFC heavyweight title and amazing surge in mainstream popularity may give the promotion reason to take a second look at Lashley”they need credible opponents for their new heavyweight champion, but have to be careful not to put him in a position where his inexperience in certain components of MMA wont be exploited lest they kill the proverbial golden goose.

Ross Everett is a freelance writer and respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.