2013
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Lincoln
• British Academy of Film & Television Arts, Supporting Actress for Lincoln
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for Lincoln
• Academy Award, Actress in a Supporting Role for Lincoln
• Golden Globe, Best Performance By an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for Lincoln

2009
• Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama for Brothers & Sisters
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for Brothers & Sisters
• Emmy (Primetime), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Brothers & Sisters

2008
• Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama for Brothers & Sisters
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for Brothers & Sisters
• Emmy (Primetime), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Brothers & Sisters

2007
• Emmy (Primetime), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Brothers & Sisters

2001
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for ER

2000
• Emmy (Primetime), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for A Cooler Climate
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for A Cooler Climate
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for David Copperfield

1996
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for A Woman of Independent Means
• Golden Globe, Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for A Woman of Independent Means

1995
• Screen Actors Guild Awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for Forrest Gump
• Emmy (Primetime), Outstanding Lead Actress for a Miniseries or Special for A Woman of Independent Means
• British Academy of Film & Television Arts, Actress in a Supporting Role for Forrest Gump

1990
• Golden Globe, Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for Steel Magnolias

1986
• Golden Globe, Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for Murphy's Romance

1985
• Golden Globe, Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for Places in the Heart
• Academy Award, Actress in a Leading Role for Places in the Heart

1983
• Golden Globe, Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for Kiss Me Goodbye

1982
• Golden Globe, Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for Absence of Malice

1980
• Academy Award, Actress in a Leading Role for Norma Rae
• Golden Globe, Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for Norma Rae

1979
• Cannes Film Festival, Best Actress for Norma Rae

1978
• Golden Globe, Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for Smokey and the Bandit