By Jesse Washington, National Writer
HOLLYWOOD (AP) --There is much debate in the black community over the segregation-era movie “The Help.” But most African-Americans still hoped that the star of the movie, Viola Davis, would win the Oscar for best actress.
So there is widespread disappointment after Davis lost the Academy Award to Meryl Streep. There’s also some relief that Davis’ role as a maid — which some view as stereotypical — was not honored.
Robinne Lee, a black actress in such films as “Seven Pounds” and “Hotel for Dogs,” is one of those disappointed Oscar watchers. She says there was a lot of excitement about Davis’ chance to become only the second black woman to be named best actress. But Lee also is eager to see more diverse movie casts in a wider variety of roles.
Before Sunday’s ceremony, only 13 black actors had won Oscars in the 84-year history of the Academy Awards.
Here are the black actors who have won Academy Awards after Sunday’s ceremony:
Best ActorSidney Poitier, 1963, “Lilies Of The Field”
Denzel Washington, 2001, “Training Day”
Jamie Foxx, 2004, “Ray”
Forest Whitaker 2006, “The Last King of Scotland”
Best Actress
Halle Berry, 2001, “Monster’s Ball”
Best Supporting ActressHattie McDaniel, 1939, “Gone With The Wind”
Whoopi Goldberg, 1990, “Ghost”
Jennifer Hudson, 2006, “Dreamgirls”
Mo’Nique, 2009, “Precious”
Octavia Spencer, 2011, “The Help”
Best Supporting ActorLouis Gossett, Jr., 1982, “An Officer and A Gentleman”
Denzel Washington, 1989, “Glory”
Cuba Gooding Jr., 1996, “Jerry Maguire”
Morgan Freeman, 2004, “Million Dollar Baby”
Angelina Jolie To Receive Gothams Performer Tribute For “Marie”
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced that Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie will receive the Performer Tribute for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The tribute will honor Jolie’s rendition of legendary opera singer Callas.
“Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’ complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “We are thrilled to celebrate what is truly one of Ms. Jolie’s career-defining performances in the final installment of Pablo Larrain’s magnificent trilogy.”
Maria follows Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Written by Steven Knight, with cinematography by Ed Lachman and costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, Maria has Jolie joined by a star-studded cast including Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Dolemite Is My Name), and Valeria Golino (For Your Love, The Beautiful Game). Marie premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and Jolie’s performance continues to stun audiences at the New York Film Festival, London Film Festival and the AFI Fest. Maria will be in... Read More