Surprising no one, Colin Firth wins the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in 'The King's Speech' during the 83rd Academy Awards in Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 27. Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Natalie Portman also was a shoo-in for Best Actress, here accepting the Oscar for her performance in 'Black Swan.' Mark J. Terrill/AP
Welsh actor Christian Bale perfected a Boston accent for his flamboyant role in 'The Fighter,' winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The film's leading man, native Bostonian Mark Wahlberg, was not nominated for an Academy Award. Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Kirk Douglas watches as Melissa Leo accepts the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for 'The Fighter.' Ms. Leo distinguished herself by being the first person in Oscar history to utter the f-word during an Academy Award acceptance speech. Perhaps she thought she was still in the profanity-laced film. Mark J. Terrill/AP
'The King's Speech' beat out its main rival, 'The Social Network,' for Best Picture. Presenter Stephen Spielberg (l.) shakes hands with 'The King's Speech' producer Emile Sherman as co-producers Gareth Unwin (center top) and Iain Canning (front right) look on. Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Director Tom Hooper accepts the award for Best Director for 'The King's Speech.' Many people were surprised that Christopher Nolan, director of 'Inception' (winner of four technical Oscars) was not even nominated in this category. Mark J. Terrill/AP
Screenwriter David Seidler accepts the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for 'The King's Speech.' Mr. Seidler, whose childhood stammer inspired him to write the film, said during his acceptance speech, "We have a voice, we have been heard." At age 73, Seidler is the oldest person ever to win the award. Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Director Lee Unkrich wins the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film for 'Toy Story 3,' the blockbuster that also was nominated for Best Picture. Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Oprah Winfrey, whose Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) champions documentary film, presents the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature for the economic meltdown chronicle 'Inside Job' to Charles Ferguson (l.) and Audrey Marrs (c.) Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Aaron Sorkin, the facile wordsmith of TV's 'The West Wing' fame, wins the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his take on the Facebook story in 'The Social Network.' Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Wally Pfister wins the Oscar for Best Cinematography for his work in 'Inception.' Gary Hershorn/Reuters
When the 'The Social Network' won the award for Best Film Editing, speculation began that the film might beat out 'The King's Speech' for Best Picture. Editors Angus Wall (l.) and Kirk Baxter accept their Oscars. Gary Hershorn/Reuters
'Alice in Wonderland' wins Best Art Direction, inspiring production designer Robert Stromberg to place a tiny Mad Hatter's hat atop his Oscar statuette as his collaborator Karen O'Hara looks on. Gary Hershorn/Reuters
The Academy also favored the costume design of Colleen Atwood for 'Alice in Wonderland.' Ms. Atwood gave kudos to director Tim Burton's creative vision in her acceptance speech. Mark J. Terrill/AP
Andrew Lockley, Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, and Peter Bebb accept the Oscar for Best Visual Effects for 'Inception.' Mark J. Terrill/AP
Director Susanne Bier of Denmark wins the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for 'In a Better World.' Mark J. Terrill/AP
With the 2013 awards season in full swing, Hollywood insiders discuss whether Oscars and other awards should still be separately awarded to actors and actresses.
Do Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Helen Mirren really need a category just for women — a singular kind of affirmative action — to snare one of Hollywood's favorite accessories, an Oscar, Emmy or Screen Actors Guild trophy?
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