By now, many regard Chris Cooper as one of the great character actors of his generation (and if they don’t, they should). He gained popularity throughout the 1990s thanks largely to Lone Star and American Beauty (for which he received a SAG nomination). But his bravura turn in the irreverent (okay, it’s nutso) adaptation of, um, Adaptation is what got him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It was well-deserved.

This article is part of a special year-long series of anecdotes, reflections and thoughts about the Academy Awards.