(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Natalie Portman was close to tears as she received the best actress Oscar at last nights ceremony.
The actress was handed the prestigious accolade for her role as troubled ballerina Nina Sayers in Black Swan. The star has already picked by the equivalent Golden Globe and BAFTA prize for the part, but appeared shocked to take home the Academy Award.
She paid tribute to the other women nominated in her category, Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right, Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole, Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone and Michelle Williams for Blue Valentine.
Thank you. Thank you so much. This is insane! the 29-year-old said. I truly and sincerely wish that the prize tonight was to get to work with my fellow nominees.
She went on to thank many of the people who have helped her career, with Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky getting a special mention. She was also glowing about Benjamin Millepied, who choreographed and appeared in the film, and is now her fianc. The pair are expecting a baby, and Natalie admitted that is what she is now focusing on.
[I want to thank] Luc Besson, who gave me my first job [in The Professional]. [Closer director] Mike Nichols, who has been my hero. And to everyone who's ever hired me! she said. Darren Aronofsky, you are a visionary. I am so blessed to have gotten to work for you.
I want to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to work from such an early age. My beautiful love, Benjamin, who has now given me my most important role of my life. Most importantly, my family, my friends, and my love, thank you so much.
Colin Firth was named best actor for his portrayal of Britains King George VI in The Kings Speech. He missed out on the prize at last years ceremony, picking up a nomination for his part in Tom Fords A Single Man.
I have a feeling my career has just peaked. My deepest thanks to the Academy. I have to warn you Im experiencing stirrings that may be transmitted into dance moves, he joked.
Thanked Harvey Weinstein, who first took me on 20 years ago when I was a mere child sensation.
To Tom Ford to who I owe a big piece of this. Olivia [his wife] for my fleeting delusions of royalty. Forgive me I have tend to [dance] urges backstage.
The Fighter did well, with Melissa Leo picking up best supporting actress and Christian Bale the male equivalent. Melissa accidentally swore on stage, with Christian picking up on her rude outburst during his acceptance speech and also poking fun at himself. The stars own foul-mouthed tirade against a crew worker on the set of Terminator Salvation is now infamous.
I'm not gonna drop the F-bomb like Melissa Leo did. I've done that plenty! he laughed.
Christian was emotional on stage, and admitted he didnt expect to feel so moved by winning an Oscar. He paid tribute to his family, before thanking his co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Amy Adams and The Fighter director David O. Russell. The Fighter is about boxer Irish Micky Ward, with Christian playing Mickys brother Dicky Eklund. Dicky received a special mention in his speech.
Where's my quacker? he said, looking for him in the auditorium. Hey, mate, you're the best! He's had a wonderful story, and I can't wait to see the next chapter. If you want to be a champ, go train with him! Check him out, he deserves it.
Other winners included Toy Story 3 which was named best animation, with The King's Speech winning best original screenplay and The Social Network best adapted screenplay.
The ceremony was held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.
List of winners at the 2011 Academy Awards:
Best actor - Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best actress - Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Supporting actor - Christian Bale, The Fighter
Supporting actress - Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Original screenplay - The King's Speech, David Seidler
Adapted screenplay - The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin
Foreign language film - In a Better World, Denmark
Animated feature - Toy Story 3
Original song - We Belong Together from Toy Story 3, Randy Newman
Original score - The Social Network, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Film editing - The Social Network, Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
Cinematography Inception, Wally Pfister
Sound Mixing Inception, Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo, Ed Novick
Sound editing Inception, Richard King
Visual effects Inception, Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Peter Bebb
Art direction - Alice in Wonderland, Robert Stromberg, Karen O'Hara
Costume design - Alice in Wonderland, Colleen Atwood
Makeup - The Wolfman, Rick Baker, Dave Elsey
Documentary feature - Inside Job
Documentary short subject - Strangers No More
Live action short film - God of Love
Animated short film - The Lost Thing (C) Cover Media