Eat your heart out, Jordan Catalano: Jared Leto has an Oscar.
His performance as transgender AIDS patient Rayon in sent him home with the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on Sunday night (March 2), as he triumphed over a field of impressive performances by Michael Fassbender (“12 Years a Slave,”) Jonah Hill (and his porcelain veneers in “The Wolf of Wall Street”), Bradley Cooper (“American Hustle”) and newcomer Barkhad Abdi (“Captain Phillips”).
And, boy, did he look pretty. Blue eyes sparkling, long locks flowing, Leto delivered a simple and moving speech, dedicated in equal parts to his mother, to the 36 million victims of AIDS in the past three decades and to people struggling in the Ukraine and Venezuela. He also gave a shout-out to his band, 30 Seconds to Mars, which has kept him busy for the past six years.
“To all the dreamers, we are here,” Leto said, inspired by his mom. “And as you struggle to make your dreams happen to live the impossible, we’re thinking of you tonight.”
“To the 36 million victims of the AIDS crisis,” he said, holding his golden figurine aloft, “I stand with you and for you.”
Leto took a break from film for more than a decade before taking on the role of Rayon, and his success in Hollywood might signal more big things to come for the 42-year-old actor.
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