Alec BaldwinAlec Baldwin
The Cooler

is intense performance as Shelly Kaplow, the oh-so-nasty casino boss in The Cooler is the
first to net him an Oscar nomination despite years in the business. Baldwin presents a portrait of a violent Director of Operations at the Shangri-La Hotel whose personality runs hot and cold, bouncing from vicious to sentimental. Often cast as a lead, Baldwin seems to relish his supporting role to William H. Macy’s Bernie Lootz. His energetic turn as this ruthless operator may give him an edge on Oscar night as well as reestablish his presence in Hollywood.

Benicio Del ToroBenicio Del Toro
21 Grams

lready an Oscar winner for his performance in Traffic (2000), Del Toro may score big again for his
role as an abusive ex-convict. In this stark, character-driven drama, Del Toro is electrifying as Jack Jordan, a man who has found religion, only to question why he believed, when he is involved in a horrific traffic accident he is responsible for causing. "He has to re-evaluate everything he believed in," says Del Toro. His portrayal as a man wracked with guilt and remorse could easily make him a winner again.

Djimon HounsouDjimon Hounsou
In America

oviegoers first noticed Hounsou in his memorable role as Cinque, leader of the slave revolt,
in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad. He delivers another intense performance as the intimidating artist dying of AIDS who lives downstairs from the central family in the dramatic In America. Though his door is covered in warning signs, Christy and Ariel, the two little girls who live above him (Sarah and Emma Bolger) don’t let that stop them from befriending him. Hounsou told Tribute it was easy for him to relate to the film since he too had come to America to pursue a dream. "I came alone without any family members, so it was an extremely challenging journey. I felt that essence in this story."
 
Tim RobbinsTim Robbins
Mystic River

s Dave Boyle, Robbins paints a portrait of an emotionally scarred man, haunted by a devastating childhood 
trauma. He nearly steals the film out from under the rest of the heavyweight cast, including fellow nominee Sean Penn. With shoulders perpetually hunched and brow furrowed, he creates a visual image of a tormented man in pain. Speaking about working with such a great cast, Robbins told Tribute, "You wake up in the morning and you really look forward to going to work." His controlled performance could explode for Robbins and win him the gold. This is Robbins’ first acting Oscar nod. He also received a Best Director nomination for Dead Man Walking in 1995.

Ken WatanabeKen Watanabe
The Last Samurai

hough Watanabe has been playing samurais in Japanese movies and television shows for many years, the role
of warlord Katsumoto is his first part in an American film. It certainly won’t be his last. Director Edward Zwick chose him for the role of the ancient warrior who befriends Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), because he projects a quiet intensity, while still managing to be intimidating, powerful and ferocious. "It was a complex role and Ken delivered a performance of deep emotionality, humor and great poise," said Zwick. "I cannot imagine the movie without him." This is Watanabe’s first Oscar nomination.




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