The nomination of Kate Winslet at age 33 for “The Reader” makes her the youngest performer to have received six acting nominations. Bette Davis received her sixth nomination at 34 in 1942 for “Now, Voyager.”
Best supporting actor nominee Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight”) becomes the sixth posthumous acting nominee in the 81-year history of the Academy Awards.
The first was James Dean, nominated for best actor in 1955 for “East of Eden” and in 1956 for “Giant”; followed by Spencer Tracy, best actor, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” 1967; Peter Finch, best actor, “Network,” 1976; Ralph Richardson, best supporting actor, “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan,” 1984; and Massimo Troisi, best actor, “Il Postino,” 1994. Only Finch was awarded posthumously.
Who wouldn’t want Stephen Daldry to direct their film? He has directed three feature films — “Billy Elliott,” “The Hours” and “The Reader” — and each has been nominated for best picture, and he for best director.
Meryl Streep extended her record number of nominations, earning her 15th in the last 30 years. “Doubt” yielded her 12th best actress nomination along with three supporting roles. Streep has won one Oscar in each category, last in 1982, best actress, “Sophie’s Choice”.
The 13 nominations for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” falls one short of the record of 14, held by “All About Eve” in 1950 and “Titanic” in 1997.
“Waltz With Bashir,” from Israel, is the first animated film nominated in the foreign language category.
Look for more Oscar coverage in Friday's Tulsa World, and in Sunday's edition, and continuing up to awards night on Feb. 22.
