Slumdog Reigns; Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis Walk Away Empty-Handed at Oscars
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While Slumdog Millionaire
proved to be the ultimate rags-to-riches story at the 81st Academy
Awards, talented black actresses Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis were
left to ponder what might have been. Both were nominated in the
supporting actress category, and were outdone by Penelope Cruz for her
role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Instead
of lamenting the absence of black winners this year, let’s take a look
at those who captured Oscar glory over the years. –dewayne rogers
Black Academy Award Winners
Best Actor in a Leading Role
1962 Sidney Poitier – Lilies of the Field
2001 Denzel Washington – Training Day
2004 Jamie Foxx – Ray
2006 Forrest Whitaker – The Last King of Scotland
Best Actress in a Leading Role
2001 Halle Berry – Monster’s Ball
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
1982 Louis Gossett Jr. – An Officer and a Gentleman
1989 Denzel Washington – Glory
1996 Cuba Gooding Jr. – Jerry Maguire
2004 Morgan Freeman – Million Dollar Baby
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
1939 Hattie McDaniel – Gone With the Wind
1990 Whoopi Goldberg – Ghost
2006 Jennifer Hudson – Dreamgirls
Best Original Score
1984 Prince – Purple Rain
1986 Herbie Hancock – Round Midnight
Best Original Song
1971 Issac Hayes – Shaft, “Theme From Shaft”
1983 Irene Cara – Flashdance, “Flashdance (What a Feeling)”
1984 Stevie Wonder – The Woman in Red, “I Just Called To Say I Love You”
1985 Lionel Ritchie – White Nights, “Say You, Say Me”
2005 Three 6 Mafia – Hustle & Flow, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp”
Best Sound
1988 Willie D. Burton – Bird
1989 Russell Williams II – Glory
1990 Russell Williams II – Dances with Wolves
2006 Willie D. Burton – Dreamgirls
With the results in, and the awards handed out, it is now time for the RO Question of the Day:
