Oscar Portraits by The Times

Sean Penn, who stars in “Milk,” is nominated for lead actor.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Mickey Rourke, who stars in “The Wrestler,” is nominated for lead actor.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Richard Jenkins, who stars in “The Visitor,” is nominated for lead actor.  (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Frank Langella, who portrays former President Nixon in “Frost/Nixon,” is nominated for lead actor.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Kate Winslet, who stars in “The Reader,” is nominated for lead actress.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Angelina Jolie, who stars in “Changeling,” is nominated for lead actress.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Anne Hathaway, who stars in “Rachel Getting Married,” is nominated for lead actress.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Meryl Streep, who stars in “Doubt,” is nominated for lead actress.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Melissa Leo, who stars in “Frozen River,” is nominated for lead actress.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The late Heath Ledger, who stars in “The Dark Knight,” is nominated for supporting actor.  (Jennifer Altman / For The Times)

Josh Brolin, who stars in “Milk,” is nominated for supporting actor.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Robert Downey Jr., who stars in “Tropic Thunder,” is nominated for supporting actor.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Philip Seymour Hoffman, who stars in “Doubt,” is nominated for supporting actor.  (Robert Caplin / For The Times)

Michael Shannon, who stars in “Revolutionary Road,” is nominated for supporting actor.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Amy Adams, who stars in “Doubt,” is nominated for supporting actress.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Taraji P. Henson, who stars in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” is nominated for supporting actress.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Viola Davis, who stars in “Doubt,” is nominated for supporting actress.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Actress Marisa Tomei photographed at ID PR on Jan. 29, 2009. Tomei is nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role in the movie “The Wrestler.”  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Actress Penelope Cruz is nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” She is photographed at the Chateau Marmont Hotel.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)