Actor Christian Bale (R) present the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress to Octavia Spencer for"The Help" onstage at the 84th Annual Academy Awards on February 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California. AFP PHOTO Robyn BECK
HOLLYWOOD — Octavia Spencer on Sunday won the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of a mouthy, endearing housemaid who reluctantly tells her story in the US civil-rights era film “The Help.”
In line with many experts’ bets, Spencer edged out Berenice Bejo from “The Artist”, Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”, Janet McTeer for “Albert Nobbs” and castmate Jessica Chastain, who played an unhappy, ostracized housewife.
A tearful Spencer earned a standing ovation from the audience.
In “The Help,” Spencer plays Minny Jackson, a black maid who tells her life story to a young white woman writer, despite fear of possible reprisals, at a time when blacks and whites were not allowed to drink from the same fountain.
“I hope I can be a symbol of hope for all the other actors who’ve been doing it as long as I have. It says something about perseverance and staying in the game,” Spencer said at a recent lunch for Academy Award nominees.