U.G.L.Y - You ain't got no alibi. But here's an Oscar!

Single,white female WLTM man with GSOH and interest in guns

Oscar Wilde once said: 'The ugly and the stupid have the best of it in this world'.

Mmmm disputable in everyday life but when it comes to bagging an Oscar, a few skelps from the ugly stick seems to be a sure-fire method for Oscar success.

Now I'm not simply referring to less attractive actresses in general (jog on Tilda Swinton) but there is a trend of beautiful actresses that have ugg-ed up and grossed out for roles. Roles which go on to win them a much coveted golden statuette and the respect of peers who thought them too "pretty" to carry a film.

Here are a few ladies that show they ain't afraid to do fugly for fame and artistic acclaim:

Charlize Theron's performance in Patty Jenkins' Monster turned heads for more reasons than one. This harrowing true-story of Daytona Beach prostitute turned serial-killer, Aileen Wuornos, horrified and engaged audiences. From a cruel and abusive childhood to prostitution and murder, the title really says it all, evoking various reactions ranging from sympathy to disgust. Undoubtedly, an excellent performance by Theron, the mannerisms and characteristics of Wuornos displayed, suggests a great deal of preparation and committment on Theron's part, and with the wonders of make-up her likeness is hauntingly uncanny. BEST ACTRESS AWARD 2004

X Factor: Over 28s category

Now, I've banged on about this next one before but Marion Cotillard's performance as Edith Piaf in biographical masterpiece, La Vie En Rose, was well worthy of an Academy Award. Not just for the powerful and moving portrayal of the legendary French songstress, but for Cotillard's ability to convincingly convey a spritely, mischievous young street singer through her tragic battle with alcoholism and loss, to the haggered, wizend shell of a person she is at the end of her life. Undoubtedly, a great deal of this is due to make-up wizardry and study of the singer herself, but Cotillard throws herself into the role entirely, until unrecognisable.

BEST ACTRESS AWARD 2008

Clint Eastwood - most aggressive towel dryer in town

Hilary Swank has never been one to use her beauty or femininity to land a decent role: Insomnia? SNORE! P.S. I Love You? P.S. I Hate You Swank for ever making this intolerable pile of festering human excrement.

However, change gender, beef up and take a few hits to that Hollywood-perfect mug and now we're talking serious Oscar winning stuff.

Swank's portrayal of hardened female boxer Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby, demonstrates both her abilities as an actress and her dedication to realism in this physically demanding role. Gaining over 20 pounds of muscle, contracting a bacterial infection on her feet from hours of relentless training and being made up with a face bloodied and bashed enough to land her a role in Fight Club, Swank proves her worth and scoops up the Best Actress gong.

Androgynous chic is so hot right now

This was of course Swank's second Best Actress win. Her first came following her role as transgender teen, Brandon Teena, in Kimberley Peirce's Boys Don't Cry.

Swank powerfully conveys the tragedy and desperation of the new boy in town, who is actually a girl struggling to accept the reality of his/her sexual identity; struggling to establish an identity in general.

The most impressive things Swank achieves in this film is the ability to shift from feminine to masculine in the blink of an eye, again utterly committing to the role, earning the film it's 42 industry awards and further 27 nominations.

BEST ACTRESS AWARD 2000 & 2008

Other examples of "From Hot-to-Trot to Not-but-Got-an-Oscar-or-nomination"

1. Nicole Kidman - The Hours (2002) win
   
2. Salma Hayek - Frida (2002) nom
3. Felicity Huffman - Transamerica (2005) nom

So the real question is - does an actress need to tone her beauty to achieve an Oscar? The trend of late would suggest so, the question is why...

I'll allow you to have a swatch of the past winners and let you mull that one over:

BEST ACTRESS OSCARS 1920 - 2010