Kate Winslet Gets Her Oscar

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Kate Winslet Gets Her Oscar

After much speculation and handicapping (I think I've posted at least 10 times about various aspects of the awards season alone), the Oscars were handed out last night, and Kate Winslet finally won hers.

The 33-year-old actress had been nominated on five previous occasions, so was giddy to have finally won.

She won for her performance in "The Reader," in which she played a woman on trial for Holocaust crimes.

Some had said that she would get an Oscar because it was time or because she had to age several years in the film and because the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences loves to reward movies about the Holocaust.

On the other hand, she was up against Meryl Streep, fresh off her record-setting 15th nomination and always tough competition.

Additionally, as reported here, there was some concern that her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes ceremony might have gotten her in trouble with Oscar voters.

In that speech, she forgot fellow nominee Angelina Jolie's name. She also acted like it actually mattered to her, a British actress, that she had gotten an award.

Some have said that the British are supposed to act like they're above receiving honors and that American voters wouldn't want to reward her for her excitement..

Apparently, though, the voters liked her just fine. She continued to be giddy with last night's win.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Actor or Actress?

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Actor or Actress?

There's been some debate among my friends over what a woman who acts is supposed to call herself: Is she an actor or an actress? Or a female actor? Or a woman who acts?

The L.A. Times today which illuminates the debate, though does not give any answers.

Some contend that actress actually means a "small actor."

In days gone by, the term connoted a woman of ill repute (even worse than that of her male counterparts, which is saying something).

The actress Gene Tierney considered the word a "title," not a job description.

David Mamet is vehemently--and colorfully--opposed to the use of the term "actress."

Actress Fiona Shaw is in the minority of those who actually consider the word "actress" a badge of honor; usually the best you can hope for is that it not be considered an insult.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences still uses the word "actress," while the Screen Actors Guild uses the term "female actor."

On the other hand, the SAG award statuette is very definitely male, which may dilute the message of equality a bit.

In the meantime, I don't seem to be offended by the suffix "-ess" and the blog is already named, so for now, I continue to call myself...

Gina Wilhelm Actress