2009 Oscar Nominations: How the stars react

2009 Oscar Nominations: How the stars react

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this year's nominees for the Oscars. The nominees for the 81st annual Academy Awards were announced on Thursday morning - and the stars couldn't be more excited.

"This is a great honor for the movie, and I'm especially happy for David Fincher, for without him there would be no 'Ben Button.'"

- Brad Pitt, nominated for Best Actor, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"



"Working with Clint Eastwood was a reward in itself that will last me a lifetime. To receive a nomination from the Academy on top of that is a privilege beyond any expectation. It has been an exceptional year for acting, and I am honored to be in the company of these talented actors whose performances all deserve this recognition. I am also happy that 'Kung Fu Panda' also was noticed by the Academy and proud to be a part of a film my entire family loves so much."

- Angelina Jolie, nominated for Best Actress, "Changeling"



"I'm extremely happy to have been nominated. And very fortunate. Playing Hanna Schmitz will always remain one of the biggest challenges I've ever been blessed with. I'm genuinely thrilled not just for myself but for the wonderful Stephen Daldry and David Hare. These nominations are a testament to their unwavering commitment to this film. And I'm also very happy for all the people in Germany whose hard work on 'The Reader,' has been rewarded by these nominations. Surely Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack are smiling down on us today!"

- Kate Winslet, nominated for Best Actress, "The Reader"



"I am so honored to be nominated for a film in which I am so proud and to be included with such a wonderful and talented group of women. It was an honor to work with Darren and the rest of the cast and crew of 'The Wrestler.' Congratulations to Mickey, for an extraordinary performance."

- Marisa Tomei, nominated for Best Supporting Actress, "The Wrestler"



"[It] really means a lot to all of us. People really poured their hearts and souls into it and of course the caliber of people I work with always give 110% Every time you get a chance to make a film, you know it's an opportunity to make something memorable and so it's gratifying to see it recognized."

-Ron Howard, nominated for Best Director, "Frost/Nixon"



"It is such a thrill to be recognized in this category with these remarkably talented women. I was with my parents and my dog when I got the news and we were all overjoyed -- although I'm not sure my dog knew what was going on. This is a great day to be an actress!"

- Anne Hathaway, nominated for Best Actress, "Rachel Getting Married"



"I don't know how to react, it's very new for me. I screwed up the time change, and I woke up at 5:55 AM and I looked at the clock and I went, 'Well, I guess it didn't happen, that's alright,' and I tried to go back to sleep and I turned on CNN and about a half an hour later they said, 'OK, nominations are just coming up right now' and I was like, 'Oh, my God.' I couldn't imagine a couple years ago actually going through anything like this -- I was very happy just putting food on the table."

- Josh Brolin, nominated for Best Supporting Actor, "Milk"



"[It's like] after a cold day on the slopes and your body is exhausted and you get under the covers and you pull it up and [it's] just a warm and pleasant and comfortable feeling. I can't tell you, [it's] just really so great an honor. [I] never dreamt of it ever, it's not why I act, I barely act to get paid, I act to act. I love it, so to be recognized is really quite something. I will have to say that when I heard my writer/director was picked for her screenplay also, that sat me up screaming in the bed -- it was a stunning script, it is the reason why it's gone so far because of Courtney [Hunt]'s work."

-Melissa Leo, nominated for Best Actress, "Frozen River"



"I'm so grateful for [director] Ben Stiller and I think it's kind of wild that, you know, a comedic performance of sorts would get a nomination, it's really cool. I got nominated for playing a narcissistic idiot method actor, we've come a long way, baby."

-Robert Downey Jr., nominated for Best Supporting Actor, "Tropic Thunder"



"It's something you dream about since you're a little kid, walking around, you're always running your acceptance speech in your head and the idea I might actually make one of those is pretty mind-blowing. I'm a huge fan of the book and it was such an honor to be in the movie at all and this just makes it even sweeter."

-Michael Shannon, nominated for Best Supporting Actor, "Revolutionary Road"