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Leo DiCaprio snubbed by Oscars for “J. Edgar”
You’ve got to kidding!
Leonardo DiCaprio gave, in my opinion, the best performance of his impressive career in J. Edgar. And yet, he was not one of the five nominees for best actor when the Academy Award nominations were announced this morning.
He was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award, the Golden Globe Award and the Critics Choice Award but was snubbed by the Academy this year.
Instead, the best actor field is George Clooney for The Descendents, Brad Pitt for Moneyball, Demián Bichir for A Better Life, Jean Dujardin for The Artist and Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
It really is a shocker and kind of outrageous to not include DiCaprio. Obviously J. Edgar, directed by Clint Eastwood with a screenplay by Dustin Lance Black, did not resonate with voters overall but DiCaprio was absolutely outstanding as J. Edgar Hoover.
DiCaprio has been nominated for Oscars for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Aviator and Blood Diamond.
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Nicole Ledain says:
I absolutely agree with your article on DiCaprio.
It is outrageous to not nominate him for best actor in a leading role and I think there is something behind it, but what?
ND Mitchell says:
Sorry, I missed this film at the theatres. Placing it on my Netflix list.
Danielle says:
I completely agree! I couldn’t believe he didn’t win at the Golden Globes, but I thought he would be a 100% guaranteed nominee for the Academy Awards. I’ve been a DiCaprio fan since I saw Gilbert Grape when I was a kid, so maybe I’m biased, but I’ve seen all of his movies and J Edgar was the performance of a life time. Crazy! I don’t even want to watch the Oscars this year.
David says:
I thought DiCaprio gave the best performance of his career! His characterization was pristine. I never even considered whether he would be nominated for an oscar, as I thought that was a “No Brainer”. No way would he not get nominated. And I thought that there was nobody that could beat him out for winning the Oscar. I defy anyone to prove that he didn’t deliver the best performance of any leading male actor in 2011. As outstanding as many of his performances have been, I thought DiCaprio had outdid his own past level of artistic expression, and had moved himself up to a whole new plateau.
I would like for those responsible to explain themselves for this unjust act. Something very unethical has definitely transpired. Shame on the Academy. I have lost the respect I have long held for you.
David Bonaiuto says:
I am shocked to know that DiCaprio did not get nominated for an oscar in “J. Edgar”! I never even considered whether he would be nominated or not, as I thought that was a “No Brainer”. It was a certainty in my mind that he would walk away with the “Best Actor” Oscar. DiCaprio’s performance was pristine, to put it mildly. Even though he has given numerous wonderful artistic performances, I thought he had outdid himself, and moved up to a whole new artistic plateau.
I would really like to know why the Academy gave such a biased slight in this matter. The only idea I can come up with is that some people wanted DiCaprio out of the way during the voting, so that a “Favored” establishment figure could garner the top award which he was unqualified to get because he was not the best actor.
I have lost a lot of respect for the Academy. I am certain many others feel the same way I do. The best man cannot possibly win in 2012 because he was not allowed to be considered. How Un-American!
tristan says:
Di caprio deserves an oscar for his performing….outstanding performance…
Charles says:
DiCaprio’s exclusion rings of something ugly and improper. Really, though, why would the “academy” be clean? Very little else to our society is.
Nicholas says:
I just saw the movie and it is amazing. The script, directing, supporting acting and of course a superb leading role all should be celebrated with awards..I wonder if the subject matter has instigated this ‘snubbing’!
Well done Eastwood, Di Caprio and supporting actors!
ann m says:
I just watched J Edgar for the first time and am STUNNED that Leo did not get nominated. I’ve seen all of the other nominees and, while outstanding, should have included this performance. It is unfathomable that it did not. It was a huge, challenging role that he interpreted so beautifully. Very disappointed in the Academy for not giving him a very well-deserved recognition.
Joshua Ruiz says:
I am very displeased with the way the Acadady of motion picture sciences delt with J. Edgar this year. I saw this film in the theaters with my brother and my mother and I am a keen observer of movies. Directed by the best actor of all time; Clint Eastwood, (in my opinion of course). Leonardo DiCaprio gave a spectacular performance and he got along so well with everyone in order to produce the movie. This movie depicts the live and story of J. Edgar Hoover who at the time was the most powerful man in America. J. Edgar was a movie that many also saw as a more personal film. It included many sexual related encounters including a makeout scene between DiCaprio and Arnie Hammer. Hoover was an open minded man, but was nervous as well as stubborn at times. He was a closeted homosexual for a long period of time. He is seen in the film cross dressing, holding hands with men and having gay conversations with long time parter Clyde Tolson. Besides those matters, the film has a lot of twists & turns as well as action and drama. This film should have been nominated for 5 acadamy awards.
Best Picutre-Clint Eastwood
Best Actor-Leonardo DiCaprio
Best Supporting Actor-Arnie Hammer
Best Director-Clint Eastwood
Best Makeup-The department of makeup
JJ says:
How the heck does Clooney and Pitt get nominated and not DiCaprio?… Clooney and Pitt are just personality actors. They do no homework or characterization. They always play themselves in every movie. If they didn’t have their looks they would be still in line with all the others at the cattle casting calls…. DiCaprio has a seasoned talent and creates wonderful unique characterizations of his parts. Leo has a far superior talent to bobblehead Clooney and Pothead Jolina bitch boy Pitt.
I think Leo should boycott the Oscars from now on, nominated or not. An insult to not just DiCaprio but the profession of actors to not acknowlege one of the great performances of the year. He saved that movie from its mediocre directing and script with his amazing portrail of J. Edgar.
The Academy is becoming like all the other lame awards shows having once been the supreme.
Roger says:
I watched J Edgar the night before the Oscars on DVD. I was stunned that DiCaprio was not nominated. He was the best actor in the best film.
Mike says:
Absolutely Leo’s best performance ….the Acadamedy is a disgrace for him not to even be nominated In fact he should have won the oscar hands down And Clint should have waked away with something too. But that’s liberal Hollywood showing their true colors They hated J Edgar they put up with Clint (barely). And Leo got the short or sharp end of their bias. It stinks but does not surprise me
Skip says:
Leonardo should have won and the movie should have won. Could it be because the story was unfavorable to the Roosevelt’s and the Kennedy’s? Can you imagine the Democratic machine of Hollywood supporting anything close to criticism of those two icons?
Janelle says:
I was also appalled that Clint’s movie, J. Edgar wasn’t nominated for the Oscars nor did it win anything. Best actor: LeonardoDiCaprio Best: Picture; Best Director – CLINT!!! That was my favorite film all year. Maybe overt & covert politics put the kabosh on it. Clint tells Very bold stories. “He’s a tough guy, see?”
Really too bad. Great piece of work. HIs personla story helped him to become more human & make sense- solved a puzzling person.
Julia M Ray,Md says:
We just watched J Edgar and we totally think Leo got screwed. Brad Pitt REALLY in MOneyball??? Not even close and I questioned his nomination before even seeing this film but now that I have seen it ,I totally think at least a nomination over Pitt! The Academy is crazy
j bryant bishop says:
I absolutely agree. I loved The Iron Lady, and of course, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a great book. But when I recognized Leo was the older J. Edgar under the makeup I thought it would be absurd if he didn’t get nominated for Best Actor. Having had an “Oscar” moment in my life from being in acting I know how disappointing it is. Know Leo that those of us who know you agree: Hollywood doesn’t play fair. Take comfort in being the highest paid actor! For goodness sake my man. And thanks for the dance!
j apple says:
a travesty not to win the oscar let alone not even to be nominated. what a performance!!!!
linda says:
Leonardo has often been criticized along his career but I think he really proved he is a good not to say a brillant actor especially in Revolutionary road. I watched J.Edgar Hoover only a few days ago, I’ve been deeply impressed by his interpretation, that’s why I think he deserved to be nominated as the best actor. I’m particularly “angry” because I’m French and I really don’t understand in what Dujardin was better than Di Caprio knowing that the producer pretended the film to be an American production !!! I think that all this is a question of lobby, influence and money : shame on that !!! Only talent must be rewarded
Valentina Santiago says:
Mr. Di Caprio not nominated for an Academy Award for J. Edgar is UNBELIEVABLE. Just as unbelievable as Halle Berry winning for that crap of a movie Monsters Ball.
Donald Gentilcore says:
For some reason I missed seeing J. Edgar and just watched in on Netflix. Leo DiCaprio by far should have not only been nominated, but should have won the oscar. It is so sad that the Academy is political. It should always be about an actor’s talent. What a shame.