Which British actors have recently won Oscars?

The Oscars, officially known as the Academy Awards, are prestigious accolades presented annually for artistic and technical merit in the film industry. They're a big deal globally, recognizing excellence in filmmaking. When we think about British actors who've achieved this highest level of recognition recently, Kate Winslet and Dame Judi Dench immediately come to mind. Kate Winslet won Best Actress for "The Reader" in 2009, a powerful performance that solidified her place among the greats. Dame Judi Dench won Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Shakespeare in Love" back in 1999, but she has been nominated several times since then, proving her continued relevance and talent. While Simon Cowell is a well-known British personality in the entertainment industry, he's known for his work in television, not film acting, and Dame Kelly Holmes is a celebrated athlete, not an actress. So, while those names are familiar, they haven't received Oscars for acting.