Max Von Sydow

The Extra List: 2012 Best Supporting Actor Nominees

February 21, 2012 Academy Awards

"Extra" takes a closer look at this year's Academy Award nominees for Best Supporting Actor: Kenneth Branagh, Jonah Hill, Nick Nolte, Christopher Plummer and Max von Sydow.

Best Supporting Actor Nominees 2012: Did You Know?

Kenneth Branagh

Nominated for: "My Week with Marilyn"Award-Worthy: Branagh has been all over the Oscar nomination map, receiving his fifth nom this year. He received a Best Actor and Director nod in 1990 for his film "Henry V"; one for Best Short Live-Action film "Swan Song" in 1992; and an Adapted Screenplay nod for "Hamlet" in 1996. He has yet to win the elusive golden statuette.Interesting Fact: While researching Laurence Olivier's life, Branagh told EW, "He was unbelievably thrilled about the fact that he had a pack of cigarettes named after him. They were called Oliviers, and you couldn't cough anywhere in Pinewood [Studios] before he would offer you a pack of his own cigarettes."Quote: "My first appearance as Olivier was watching Marilyn walk away. So my first sight of Michelle [Williams'] performance was her undulating behind shimmying in this beaded white dress. It was intoxicating. I thought, "Well, if she's Marilyn Monroe - and by God, with that walk it seems that she is - I think I ought to start being Laurence Olivier."

Jonah Hill

Nominated for: "Moneyball"Award-Worthy: This is Hill's first Oscar nomination.Interesting Fact: He has a tattoo on his left forearm that reads "Nancy Rules." It is a tribute to his grandmother.Quote: On going from his usual comedic roles to a more dramatic one in "Moneyball," Jonah told EW, "I just like having the underdog complex. In comedy right now, I'm not really the underdog anymore, so that means it's time to be the underdog in something else... for me it was great to fight for this part."

Nick Nolte

Nominated for: "Warrior"Award-Worthy: This is Nolte's third Oscar nomination. He received two Best Actor nods; for "The Prince of Tides" in 1991 and "Affliction" in 1997.Interesting Fact: In 1992, he was chosen as People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.Quote: "Warrior" co-writer/director Gavin O'Connor wrote the role of Paddy, the recovering alcoholic trying to reconnect with his estranged sons, specifically for Nolte. The actor told EW, "In some ways, that's really great. In some ways, that's really terrifying. [Gavin] knows me well enough that when I looked at the role, I was like, 'Oh my God, what do I have to go through now?'"

Christopher Plummer

Nominated for: "Beginners"Award-Worthy: Despite a long and successful career, this is only Plummer's second nomination. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 2009 for "The Last Station."Interesting Fact: "Beginners" director Mike Mills marveled at the 82-year-old's energy. Mills said to EW, "Christopher's very funny and subversive. We should all be so lucky to be so hungry and alive as he is."Quote: On being asked whether he'd made his peace with his most famous film, "The Sound of Music," Plummer once replied, "Oh, God no."

Max von Sydow

Nominated for: "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"Award-Worthy: Like his colleague Christopher Plummer, this is the distinguished 82-year-old actor's second nomination. The first was a Best Actor nod for "Pelle the Conquerer" in 1987.Interesting Fact: Von Sydow told EW that ever since his first American role as Jesus in "The Greatest Story Ever Told" in 1965, he has been offered, "I don't know how many priests, bishops, popes, cardinals, and religious figures, although I guess it's always a step down from Christ." Coincidentally, von Sydow's other most memorable U.S. role was Father Merrin in "The Exorcist."Quote: On playing a mute character in "Extremely Loud," von Sydow explained, "People have asked me if it is difficult to do a non-speaking character. The answer is no. The only difference between The Renter and other people is that he doesn't speak. Apart from that, his reactions are just as they would be otherwise."

The Extra List: Oscar Nomination Reactions

January 24, 2012 Academy Awards

The Academy Award nominations were announced Tuesday morning in Los Angeles, and some of Hollywood's A-listers are beaming with excitement! See what they had to say!

The Extra List: 2012 Oscar Nomination Reactions

Glenn Close

For her riveting performance as a man in "Albert Nobbs," Glenn Close was honored with a Best Actress nod. It is her sixth Oscar nomination.Close noted her fierce competition for Best Actress, saying, "It's an incredibly strong year for women. It's just so thrilling to be in the company of these other women -- and cross-generational, which is great."To celebrate her nomination in NYC, "Extra" gave the star a big box of chocolates, which she had a difficult time opening.Close even enlisted the help of actor Henry Winkler, who said, "I'll hold, you open it." After many tries, she finally opened the box of sweets, and thanked "Extra" for the thoughtful present.[http://cdnbakmi.kaltura.com/p/594231/sp/59423100/thumbnail/entry_id/1_trm8nwf8/width/120/height/90/bgcolor/000000/type/2]

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams received a Best Actress nomination for her role in "My Week with Marilyn.""I am so grateful to be acknowledged by the Academy for my work, which was made possible by the support of our director Simon Curtis and the camaraderie of a terrific ensemble of actors -- a special congratulations to Kenneth Branagh -- and the fearless Harvey Weinstein. This role has been the challenge and privilege of a lifetime. I would like to think that the recognition our film has received by the Academy is a testament to Marilyn's legacy."

Rooney Mara

Newcomer Rooney Mara was nominated for Best Actress in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," and told "Extra" she feels honored to be in a category with such talented actresses."Those are women I've looked up to, and that has inspired me."[http://cdnbakmi.kaltura.com/p/594231/sp/59423100/thumbnail/entry_id/1_jym6mx28/width/120/height/90/bgcolor/000000/type/2]

Octavia Spencer

Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for "The Help," Octavia Spencer beamed, "I am on a cloud of happiness."[http://cdnbakmi.kaltura.com/p/594231/sp/59423100/thumbnail/entry_id/1_taxvuwtt/width/120/height/90/bgcolor/000000/type/2]

Viola Davis

Actress Viola Davis, nominated for Best Actress for her work in "The Help" had a special message to fellow nominee George Clooney. "Stop following me George. You're obsessed with me," she laughed with "Extra."[http://cdnbakmi.kaltura.com/p/594231/sp/59423100/thumbnail/entry_id/1_am0synwe/width/120/height/90/bgcolor/000000/type/2]

Jonah Hill

Making his mark on Hollywood, Jonah Hill received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in "Moneyball" with Brad Pitt."For the rest of your life, people are going to say, 'Academy Award Nominee Jonah Hill.' It doesn't seem real yet."[http://cdnbakmi.kaltura.com/p/594231/sp/59423100/thumbnail/entry_id/1_64iirj71/width/120/height/90/bgcolor/000000/type/2]

James Cromwell

"The Artist" star James Cromwell talked with "Extra" host Mario Lopez at The Grove about the Oscar-nominated film.[http://cdnbakmi.kaltura.com/p/594231/sp/59423100/thumbnail/entry_id/1_v8jfuu1m/width/120/height/90/bgcolor/000000/type/2]

Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan

Husband and wife team Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan received a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy."O'Connor, who died at the age of 49 in 2010 from cancer, received a posthumous nod.Her husband Peter released this statement:"I'm stunned and thrilled to hear about the nomination. I wish more than anything in the world that my wife Bridget O'Connor -- who did the lion's share of the adaptation -- could be here to enjoy this moment. She would be so happy and so proud. I'm going to go and meet my daughter now and tell her how clever her mother was!"

Max von Sydow

"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" was recognized twice -- with a nod for Best Picture and another for Best Supporting Actor to Max von Sydow."My sincere thanks to my colleagues at the Academy. It is wonderful. I don't know what to say -- I am dumbfounded."

Screenwriter for 'The Ides of March'

Beau Willimon, the screenwriter for "The Ides of March" starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, expressed his excitement after receiving a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay."It's been an incredible eight year journey from the first draft of the play until this moment.Working with George and Grant has been one of the most rewarding collaborations of my career, and I couldn't be more thrilled that our film is getting this kind of recognition."

Melissa McCarthy

Funnylady Melissa McCarthy received a Best Supporting Actress nod for her feisty role as Megan, in the comedy "Bridesmaids.""My fingers are crossed. Anytime you get a comedy in there I just root for it!"

Brad Pitt

"This is an extraordinary honor.I am dizzy with joy... and caffeine.Considering both films, 'Moneyball' and 'The Tree of Life,' nearly didn't make it to the screen, this is especially sweet.And I'd like to thank all the artisans and craftsmen who gave their best to each film.I am especially over the moon for Jonah (and the other Moneyballers acknowledged today), Terry Malick and the tribute this is to Billy Beane and the Oakland A's organization.My congratulations to all the nominees...pancakes for everyone."