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Rooney Mara tipped for Best Lead Actress - Oscar nominations for 2012 announced - VIDEOS

Irish and Irish American movie celebs nominated for big awards

KERRY O'SHEA,

IrishCentral Intern

Published Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 10:56 AM

Updated Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 11:00 AM

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Oscar nominations for 2012 announced earlier today

Irish and Irish American actors and themes are making a big splash with this year’s Academy Award nominations which were announced earlier this morning. Delivering the nominations live were actress Jennifer Lawrence and the president of the Academy Tom Sherak.

Not surprisingly, Irish actress Rooney Mara was nominated for Best Lead Actress for her work in the film adaptation of the popular book series ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.’ The film, which is the first in its trilogy, is also nominated for Best Cinematography.

Glenn Close’s project ‘Albert Nobbs’ which was filmed in Dublin made an impression on Academy voters, garnering two major nominations. The film, set in 19th century Ireland, tells the story of a woman (portrayed by Close) who is passing as a man to advance herself in society. Close is nominated alongside Rooney Mara for Best Leading Actress, and Janet McTeer is nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the film.

In what many to consider to be her big breakout role, Irish American actress Melissa McCarthy secured the nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in this summer’s smash hit comedy ‘Bridesmaids.’ McCarthy is the only actor from the film nominated, though the film itself is nominated for Best Original Writing. McCarthy won an Emmy this past September for her role on the CBS comedy ‘Mike and Molly.’

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Also nominated for Best Supporting Actress is Irish American Jessica Chastain for her role in ‘The Help.’ Chastain is nominated alongside her co-star from the film Octavia Spencer. The film adaptation of the popular book secured several other nominations as well, including Best Picture, and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Viola Davis).

George Clooney, whose father is set to be the focus of an upcoming documentary exploring the Clooney’s Irish roots, is nominated for Best Leading Actor for his role in ‘The Descendants.’ The film is also nominated for Best Picture, Best Directing and Best Adapted Writing. Clooney won the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his role in ‘The Descendants;’ does that mean he has the Oscar secured, too?

Clooney’s other big film for 2011, ‘The Ides of March’, is also nominated for Best Adapted Writing.

Belfast native Kenneth Branagh is nominated for his role in the Marilyn Monroe biopic ‘My Week with Marilyn.’ His co-star Michelle Williams is nominated for her portrayal of Monroe in the movie.

Meryl Streep is nominated - for an astounding 17th time - for her portrayal of once British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the film ‘The Iron Lady.’ Streep’s nomination is the only major one for the film.

Nick Nolte is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘Warrior,’ a film about an Irish family in Pittsburgh.

Snubbed from this year’s nominations is Co Kerry native Michael Fassbender for his gripping role in the graphic film ‘Shame,’ which is about an Irish born sex-addict.

Who are your picks to bring home trophies on this year’s February 5th Academy Awards? Share in the comments below!

Here is the list of the major award nominations for 2012 from CelebrityCafe.com :

Best Picture:

The Artist

The Descendants

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

The Help

Hugo

Midnight in Paris

Moneyball

The Tree of Life

War Horse