In 1996, she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in
Le patient anglais (1996). Legendary actress
Lauren Bacall was roundly expected to win in that category for her performance in
Leçons de séduction (1996), but Binoche won the Oscar instead, in one of the biggest surprise wins in Oscar history. In her acceptance speech, she said, "I don't have a speech prepared. I thought Lauren would get it." Bacall was given an honorary Oscar in 2010.