Oscar nominees unveiled

The 50-year-old actor-writer-director-producer earns his third lead actor nomination for his role as Matt King, a middle-aged man trying to become a better father after his wife suffers a grave injury in a boating accident. Clooney also received an Oscar nomination for adapted screenplay for the political drama The Ides of March, which he directed.
French actor Dujardin, however, might be able to unseat Clooney in the category. The 39-year-old Parisian star of best picture nominee The Artist is a first-time Oscar nominee for lead actor as George Valentin, a silent screen superstar whose career falls apart with the advent of the talkies. Last year, he won best actor at the Cannes Film Festival for the black-and-white silent movie and he’s also received a Golden Globe for lead actor in a motion picture comedy or musical.
Brad Pitt earned his second lead actor nomination, this one for his portrayal of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane in the baseball drama Moneyball (another best picture nominee) while veteran British actor Oldman picks up his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of ace spy George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.-Reuters.