In the days leading up to the 88th Academy Awards, FilmBuffOnline will be offering profiles on all the nominees in the major categories. Some may be well known, others might be new to you, but if you need a refresher on these talented nominees, here is one for Best Actress.

Cate Blanchett

Nominated for: Playing married woman about to engage in a lesbian affair in Carol.

Other honors for this role:

Blanchett has 33 nominations this year for this role, winning four awards for it.

Where you might know her from:

Blanchett is known for her large body or work, the most popular of which is as Galadriel in Peter Jackson’s movies and the Russian operative in Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull.

History with Oscar:

Cate Blanchett has six prior Oscar nominations and two wins.

1999: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Elizabeth (Lost to Gweneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love).

2005: Won, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, The Aviator.

2007: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Notes on a Scandal (Lost to Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls).

2008: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, I’m Not There (Lost to Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton).

2008: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Lost to Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose).

2014: Won, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Blue Jasmine.

Brie Larson

Nominated for: Playing a devoted mom, trying to raise her son the best she can while being held captive in Room.

Other honors for this role:

Larson has received 47 nominations from other organizations, tallying up 31 awards, including the BAFTA Award, the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.

Where you might know her from:

Brie Larson has made a name for herself if films such as Scott Pilgrim vs the World, 21 Jump Street and Trainwreck.

History with Oscar:

This is Brie Larson’s first Oscar Nomination.

Jennifer Lawrence

Nominated for: Playing a do-it-yourself entrepreneur and inventor in Joy.

Other honors for this role:

Lawrence has received only six nominations for this role, with only one win. However, that win was Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globes.

Where you might know her from:

Lawrence has become America’s Sweetheart with her natural candor and humor. Also, being Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games franchise and playing the young Mystique in X-men: First Class also helped to raise her profile a bit.

History with Oscar:

Jennifer Lawrence has been nominated three other Oscars, winning once.

2011: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Winter’s Bone (Lost to Natalie Portman, Black Swan).

2013: Won, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Silver Linings Playbook.

2014: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, American Hustle (Lost to Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave).

Charlotte Rampling

Nominated for: Playing a woman whose idyllic, 45 year marriage is becoming strained in 45 Years.

Other honors for this role:

Rampling has been nominated 24 time for this role in other outlets, winning 12 awards in the process.

Where you might know her from:

Rampling has had a long and storied career dating back to the 1960. Notable films include Georgy Girl, Stardust Memories, Orca, Babylon A.D. and Never let Me Go.

History with Oscar:

This is Charlotte Rampling’s first Oscar nomination.

Saoirse Ronan

Nominated for: Playing an Irish immigrant to 1950’s Brooklyn in Brooklyn.

Other honors for this role:

Ronan has been nominated 43 times for this role, and has won 20 awards (although most of her awards were 2nd place prizes.)

Where you might know her from:

Saoirse Ronan’s breakthrough role was in Atonement. She followed that up with roles in The Lovely Bones, Hanna, The Host, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

History with Oscar:

This is Saoirse Ronan’s second Oscar Nomination.

2008: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Atonement (Lost to Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton).