Diablo Cody's devilish first impression

With win, writer completes unlikely journey

By DIANE GARRETT

The Oscar for original screenplay topped off a splendid award season for 'Juno' writer Diablo Cody.

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Diablo Cody completed her unlikely journey from exotic dancer (Jon Stewart's term) to Academy Award winner with her victory for original screenplay.

The blogger turned scribe won for "Juno," her first screenplay. Idiosyncratic tale about an alterna-teen who decides to give up her unborn child for adoption has been one of the bright spots at the box office among major contenders; of them, "Juno" is the only entry to have crossed the $100 million mark domestically.

Fox Searchlight distributed the pic, directed by Jason Reitman and starring Ellen Page in the title role. Cody's win came on the heels of her victory in the first screenplay category at the Indie Spirit Awards over the weekend.

Her Oscar competish was Tamara Jenkins for "The Savages"; Nancy Oliver, scripter of "Lars and Real Girl"; Brad Bird for "Ratatouille"; and Tony Gilroy for "Michael Clayton."

Cody saluted her fellow scribes and many of the folks involved in the pic, Reitman and Page especially, before acknowledging her unconventional path to the podium.

"Most of all," said the scribe, who was decked out in a striking animal print shift with her arm tattoo exposed, "I want to thank my family for loving me exactly the way I am."