... and the winner is... Julia Roberts for Erin Brockovich!

ok, I can see how Julia Roberts could have won for Best Actress in 2001 for Erin Brockovich.

Winner:
Erin Brockovich (2000) - Julia Roberts

Other Nominees:
Chocolat (2000) - Juliette Binoche
Contender, The (2000) - Joan Allen (I)
Requiem for a Dream (2000) - Ellen Burstyn
You Can Count on Me (2000) - Laura Linney
from imdb.com

I thought Joan Allen was great in The Contender. I was outraged that Ellen Burstyn didn't get it, but after seeing Erin Brockovich, I concede that that is a one of her best roles. For a brief second I was worried that Cate Blanchett was on the list that year. I'm not sure this post would exist if she was.