LOS ANGELES (AP) – Julianne Moore won her first Oscar as best actress for “Still Alice,” and she shined a light on Alzheimer’s disease in her acceptance speech Sunday night.
The 54-year-old actress added an Academy Award to the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild trophies she won earlier for her role as a college linguistics professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
“I’m so happy, I’m thrilled that we were able to shine a light on Alzheimer’s disease,” Moore said. “So many people who have this disease feel marginalized. People who have Alzheimer’s disease deserve to be seen so we can find a cure.”
Moore did four months of research for her role, talking to women with the disease and doctors, and she visited a long-term care facility.
She has been nominated four previous times; this year, she was the front-runner throughout awards season.