Chris Buck, left, and Jennifer Lee, center, co-directors of the Oscar-nominated animated feature film “Frozen,” pose with producer Peter Del Vecho at a reception featuring the Oscar nominees in the Animated Feature Film category in Beverly Hills, Calif.LOS ANGELES – The Academy Awards started smoothly with a breezy opening from host Ellen DeGeneres and a best supporting actor award to the velvety “Dallas Buyers Club” star Jared Leto.
As expected, Leto won for his acclaimed, gaunt performance as a transsexual in the Texas AIDS drama. He thanked his mother, his date on the night.
“Thank you for teaching me to dream,” said Leto. Later backstage, he passed around his Oscar to members of the press, urging them to “fondle” it. The actor, who had devoted himself in recent years to his rock band 30 Seconds to Mars, gravely vowed: “I will revel tonight.”
Sunday’s Oscars hung on a nail-biter of a finish, with the best picture race believed to be between the historical drama “12 Years a Slave,” the 3-D space spectacle “Gravity” and the con-artist comedy “American Hustle.” DeGeneres alluded to the options in her opening monologue.
“Possibility number one: ’12 Years a Slave’ wins best picture,” she said. “Possibility number two: You’re all racists.”