Los Angeles, February 24, 2008 – There’s often a contingent of foreign-born actors up for Academy Awards, but in 2008 Europeans made a clean sweep in the major acting categories, with Britain’s Daniel Day-Lewis and Tilda Swinton, France’s Marion Cotillard and Spain’s Javier Bardem taking home gold statuettes.  (We take the positive view that Hollywood is becoming more inclusive, rather than wonder, like some did at the awards on Sunday, whether Americans have lost their luster.)  Day-Lewis was even “knighted” onstage by fellow Brit Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar last year for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Backstage, Bardem claimed that his date for the evening was his mother.  No word on whether his rumored girlfriend Penelope Cruz got to tag along to all the parties later.  Day-Lewis joked about kissing fellow nominee George Clooney as he made his way to the stage to pick up his award: “I had to kiss someone”.   Backstage, Cotillard truly seemed shocked by her best actress win; her demeanor on the stage appears not to have been an act of modesty.  Swinton also claimed surprise at her supporting actress win. 

Baby bumps again had tongues wagging and shutters clicking at the Kodak Theater, with Nicole Kidman joining mothers-to-be Jessica Alba and Cate Blanchett on the red carpet. The Oscar ceremony marked the first major U.S. appearance for Kidman and husband Keith Urban since announcing last month that they are expecting their first child.

Colin Farrell also brought his mom as his date, as did Miley Cyrus. Eternal bachelor George Clooney is still with girlfriend Sarah Larson.