Octavia Spencer

February 27, 2012 Academy Awards

Shimmering white gowns and dangerously cut black dresses ruled on the red carpet at the 2012 Academy Awards red carpet at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. See which stars completed "Extra's" Oscar checklist before they got ready!

February 26, 2012 Academy Awards

Oscar-nominated actresses from "The Help" -- Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer -- spoke with "Extra" on the red carpet at the 2012 Academy Awards on Sunday. Spencer won her first Oscar for her role as the sassy Minny Jackson.

Check out the video!

February 24, 2012 Awards Shows

The 5th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon celebrated African-American trailblazers of the big and small screen. This year's honorees included Pam Grier, Paula Patton, Shonda Rhimes, Kerry Washington and Oscar nominee Octavia Spencer.

Flip through the gallery!


For more on the event, go to Essence.com.

February 22, 2012 Academy Awards

The 2012 Academy Awards are almost here and "Extra" takes a closer look at this year's Best Supporting Actresses: Berenice Bejo, Jessica Chastain, Melissa McCarthy, Janet McTeer and Octavia Spencer.

The Extra List: 2012 Best Actress Nominees

The Extra List: 2012 Best Actor Nominees

The Extra List: 2012 Best Supporting Actor Nominees

Best Supporting Actress Nominees 2012: Did You Know?

Berenice Bejo

Nominated for: "The Artist"Award-Worthy: nominated for a BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG Award for "The Artist"Interesting Fact: Berenice grew up in Paris but was born in Buenos Aires.Quote: One of Bejo's regrets while working on "The Artist" was not having more screen time with Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier. "I only got to do two scenes with him. It's too bad. He's a big star now. He's even got the Palm Dog at Cannes."

Jessica Chastain

Nominated for: "The Help"Award-Worthy: nominated for a Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award for "The Help"Interesting Fact: Chastain is a vegan.Quote: "I love that people don't know me. I was just at the airport [and] there's a guy with a camera, asking me a couple of questions. I get into my car and I hear him say to someone else, 'I don't know... Kate Walsh?' So that's the stage I'm in right now."

Melissa McCarthy

Nominated for: "Bridesmaids"Award-Worthy: nominated for a BAFTA and SAG Award for "Bridesmaids"Interesting Fact: She is Jenny McCarthy's cousin.Quote: McCarthy on the famous dressing-room scene in "Bridesmaids": "It was a train wreck that we were all trying to stop. To me that's not raunchy. It was wildly embarrassing and sad."

Janet McTeer

Nominated for: "Albert Nobbs"Award-Worthy: Oscar nominated for "Tumbleweeds" (1999)Interesting Fact: She and co-star Glenn Close became good friends while filming "Albert Nobbs."Quote: On working with Close: "When we work together, there's a combination of extremely committed hard work and a huge amount of laughter. We're very sync in that sense."

Octavia Spencer

Nominated for: "The Help"Award-Worthy: a Golden Globe, BAFTA, and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting RoleInteresting Fact/Quote: While working with the child actors who played her kids during the filming of "The Help," Spencer realized they needed a better grasp of what life was like for African Americans in the 1960s."They had to be in as much distress as I was in," the actress explained to Entertainment Weekly. "[To] one little boy, the youngest one, I said, 'Well what do you want to be when you grow up?' and he said, 'A fireman!' and I said, 'Well, you can't. The only thing you can do is mow lawns.' And his little lip quivered. He was just heartbroken." Apparently, they nailed the scene and Octavia showered them with "lots of gifts."

February 13, 2012 Academy Awards

In the "First Look: Oprah's Oscar Special," Oprah Winfrey is taking viewers inside the lives of three of this year's breakout Academy Award nominees; Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Jonah Hill.

Watch the preview!

First Look: Oprah's Oscar® Special

Tune in to watch this two-hour special on Wednesday, February 15, at 9/8c on OWN.

January 30, 2012 Awards Shows

Find out which lovely actresses won the L'Oreal Paris Style Awards for "Best Trend," "Best Tressed" and "Best Dressed" at the 2012 SAG Awards!

January 30, 2012 Awards Shows

"Extra's" Jerry Penacoli laughed it up with the whole cast of "The Help" after their win for Best Film Ensemble at the 2012 SAG Awards, where he received a big smooch from Allison Janney - and caught Female Actor in Leading Role Award winner Viola Davis do her victory dance.

Check it out!

January 30, 2012 Awards Shows

"The Help" star Octavia Spencer, who won the SAG award for Best Supporting Actress, talked with "Extra's" Maria Menounos about coming to the 2012 SAG Awards with her good friend, "Cougar Town" actor Josh Hopkins.

Watch the interview!

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