'Put your best face forward' is what the old adage tells us, but does the Academy agree? Maybe not in the Best Actress category, at least.

In fact, recent history shows that those wily old AMPAS members seem take the most notice of actresses who have the courage to make themselves look bad on screen than those who go for the glamour. Let's take a look, shall we?

1. Charlize Theron, Monster (Best Actress, 2003)

One of the most stunning women in all of Christendom, Theron packs on the pounds and prosthetics to play real-life crazed lesbian prostitute serial killer Aileen Wuornos.

She was terrific in the movie, but she deserved the Oscar merely for the stunning physical transformation in and of itself.

2. Helen Mirren, The Queen (Best Actress, 2006)

The ultimate Silver Fox, Mirren frumped herself up to high heaven to inhabit the Mistress of Dowdyness herself--Queen Elizabeth II.

This transformation was more wardrobe, wig and makeup than advanced Hollywood tricks. It just goes to show you how far a little Queer Eye can really go.

3. Nicole Kidman, The Hours (Best Actress, 2002)

Multiple-time Top 100 Most Beautiful People person, Kidman slapped on a prosthetic nose that made her virtually unrecognizable to win the Oscar for playing doomed writer Virginia Woolf in The Hours.

No wonder why nose jobs are still so popular. Just ask my plastic surgeon.

4. Hilary Swank, Boys Don’t Cry (Best Actress, 1999)

Not only did Swank have to cut all her hair off into a boyish mop, but she had to leave every last trace of her femininity behind in her jaw-dropping role of Brandon Teena, a transgender teen who gets murdered when his secret is found out in rural Nebraska.

She's a man, baby.

5. Susan Sarandon, Dead Man Walking (Best Actress, 1995)

Yes, we're taking shots at nuns now.

 And why wouldn't we, when the normally smoldery Sarandon put out the fire to play Sister Helen Prejean in this intense death row drama?

 And frankly, we're glad she didn't. Don't you think a sexy nun would be worse?

6. Elizabeth Taylor, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Best Actress, 1966)

One for the archives, the violet-eyed beauty deglammed and porked up for her role as the belligerent and drunken Martha in this landmark adaptation of Edward Albee's brilliant and miserable play.

The weight she gained for this movie may have plagued her for the rest of her life, but at least she could clutch that little statuette while she shovelled down the Ho-Hos.

Did I forget anyone? Think QEII's granny glasses and orthopedic shoes are hot? Let me know at hhuntington@reelzchannel.com.