BEST ACTOR OSCAR WINNER & NOMINEES:


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR OSCAR WINNER & NOMINEES:
BEST ACTOR CONTENDERS:
Before the Oscar nominations were announced, Variety took an early look at the contenders:

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LEADING LIGHTS
This year's races are very competitive. Here's a breakdown of who's worthy of attention based on reviews, blogs and buzz.
SUPPORTING ACTOR

James Cromwell
W.

Robert Downey Jr.
Tropic Thunder

Ralph Fiennes
The Duchess

James Franco
Milk

Philip Seymour Hoffman
Doubt

Heath Ledger
The Dark Knight

Dev Patel
Slumdog Millionaire

Michael Shannon
Revolutionary Road

LEAD ACTOR

Josh Brolin
W.

Leonardo DiCaprio
Revolutionary Road

Clint Eastwood
Gran Torino

Richard Jenkins
The Visitor

Frank Langella
Frost/Nixon

Sean Penn
Milk

Brad Pitt
Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourke
The Wrestler



IN THE MIX
A look at others who may garner support...
LEAD ACTOR

Benicio Del Toro
Che

Jeff Goldblum
Adam Resurrected

Dustin Hoffman
Last Chance Harvey

Hugh Jackman
Australia

Michael Sheen
Frost/Nixon

Will Smith
Seven Pounds

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Josh Brolin
Milk

Richard Dreyfuss
W.

Ralph Fiennes
The Reader

Dennis Hopper
Elegy

Eddie Marsan
Happy Go Lucky

Liev Schreiber
Defiance