Los Angeles - The following have been nominated for the best actor Oscar:
Mickey Rourke attends the 2009 Orange British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards in London. © Solarpix / PR Photos
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor : Jenkins, 61, is a veteran character actor who has appeared in countless supporting roles in television and film productions. After decades as an actors' actor, Jenkins finally got widespread recognition in The Visitor for his role as a lonely economics professor whose life is changed when he finds a couple of undocumented immigrants living in an apartment he owns in New York. Jenkins previously appeared in movies such as Snow Falling on Cedars, Shall We Dance?, North Country and Six Feet Under.
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon : An accomplished actor on stage and screen, Langella won a Tony award for playing the role of Richard Nixon in the play on which the Frost/Nixon movie is based. A 70-year- old Italian-American from New Jersey, Langella was best known as a theatrical actor for most of his career, but has gradually been increasing his screen time in recent years, and was acclaimed for his roles in Good Night and Good Luck in 2005 and Superman Returns in 2006.
Sean Penn , Milk :
Brad Pitt , The Curious Case of Benjamin Button :
Mickey Rourke , The Wrestler :
He found it hard to return to the film world after his boxing comeback failed. But his role in the stylized movie Sin City in 2005 earned rave reviews. In The Wrestler, Rourke plays a role that is close to his heart as a washed-out wrestler who continues to fight against doctors' orders because it's the only thing he knows.
Oscar bet: Hollywood loves a good comeback and they don't get much better than Mickey Rourke's. Hollywood also loves Sean Penn and a good political drama. So the race is between these two.
Your Talkback on this Story