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"The Descendants" was once considered "The Artist"'s stiffest Oscar competition, but does it still have a chance?Reuters 
The Mexican actor played the role of Carlos Galindo in the film "A Better Life". He was nominated to ALMA Award for Favorite Male Actor and Black Reel Award for Best Actor for the same film too.Reuters 
Actor Brad Pitt played the role of Beane in the film "Moneyball". For his role in the film he had won three best actor awards - Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor, National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor and New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor.Reuters 
Jean DuJardin won the Best Actor in a Lead Role for "The Artist"Reuters 
Gary Oldman is nominated for the Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the Oscars.Reuters 
Meryl Streep at the 2012 Oscars Luncheon.REUTERS 
Michelle Williams played Marilyn Monroe in the film "My Week with Merilyn". For her performance in the film she has won several awards like Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress, Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress, Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress.Reuters 
She played the role of Albert Nobbs in the film "Albert Nobbs". For her performance in the film she has won several awards like, AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards for Best Actress, Tokyo International Film Festival for Best Actress.REUTERS 
Rooney Mara as Anastasia SteeleReuters 
She played the role of Aibileen Clark in the film, "The Help". She has won several awards including, African American Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress, Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award for Best Actress, Black Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress, Black Reel Award for Best Actress and others.Reuters
The 84th edition of the annual Academy Award will be held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood Sunday.
In the popular category, five actors and five actresses are vying for the prestigious best actor and actress awards.
Some of the strong contenders of the 84th Academy Award nomination include Demian Bichir for "A Better Life", George Clooney for "The Descendants" and others are at the "actor in a leading role" category.
The nominees were announced at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater Jan 24.
Check out below the actors and actresses in leading role nominations:
