Christian Bale's first Academy Award nomination also proved to be his first win. Bale earned the Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the 83th Annual Academy Awards for his powerful performance of a troubled boxer past his prime in the David O Russell film, The Fighter. Taking the stage, Bale said, "Bloody hell. Wow. What a roomful of talented and inspirational people and what the hell am I doing here in the midst of you? It's such an honor."
Bale said Russell had a great spirit and thanked him for making the work the actors did actually mean something. "I mean that's the director's job of translating it to the audience and making it mean something," said Bale. "Thank you for that."
Bale didn't drop the f-bomb like Melissa Leo did accepting her Best Supporting Actress Oscar, but did joke, "I've done that plenty." He thanked all his fellow actors and then looked for Dicky Eklund (the man he plays in the film) in the audience and told him, "You're the best!" Bale added, "Listen, he's had a wonderful story and I can't wait to see the next chapter." Finishing up his speech, Bale teared up, "Of course, mostly my wonderful wife...I didn't think I was like this [crying]...my wonderful wife who's my mast through the storms of life. I hope I'm likewise to you."
Truly a moving speech - and it's about time Bale was recognized by the Academy.
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(Photo of Christian Bale by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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