Oscars 2012: Backstage at the Academy Awards

Berenice Bejo and Jean Dujardin are spotted in their seats at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The Oscar host, left, and the Academy Awards producer talk offstage during the telecast.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The star prepares backstage at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood. Jolie presented the screenplay trophies.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The best director winner (“The Arist”) is caught between the stage and the press room at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The powerhouse couple watch the show off-stage with the Academy Awards producer. Pitt was nominated Sunday night for his role in ‘Moneyball.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

McCarthy, left, nominated for role in “Bridesmaids,” reconnects with Bryne, who also had a role in the film. No doubt the two shared plenty of back-stage time together this award season.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Angeline Jolie and Brad Pitt wait backstage at the 2012 Oscars.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Penélope Cruz waits in the wings before presenting an Oscar at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Meryl Streep backstage at the 2012 Oscars. Streep won an Academy Award for her leading role in “The Iron Lady” -- her second best actress Oscar. She received her first in 1983 for “Sophie’s Choice.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Penélope Cruz waits in the wings before presenting an Oscar at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Presenter Gwyneth Paltrow waits backstage at the 2012 Oscars.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Oscar presenters Ben Stiller, left, and Emma Stone backstage at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Christopher Plummer accepts his first Academy Award for his supporting role in “Beginners.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Robert Downey Jr., backstage at the 2012 Oscars in Hollywood.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Percussionist Sheila E. performs at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Christopher Plummer walks backstage after receiving his first Academy Award for his supporting role in “Beginners.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Octavia Spencer accepts her Academy Award for her supporting role in “The Help” at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Sandra Bullock waits in the wings before presenting the Oscar for foreign-language film at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood. Bullock won the Oscar for lead actress in 2010 for “The Blind Side.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Christian Bale escorts Octavia Spencer offstage after her acceptance speech at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood. Bale had announced Spencer as winner of the Academy Award for her supporting role in “The Help.”  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Natalie Portman, who was named lead actress for her role in “Black Swan” at the 2011 Academy Awards, gets ready to present the lead actor trophy Sunday night.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lead actress winner Meryl Streep is seen backstage with Colin Firth at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

From “The Artist,” Jean Dujardin and Uggie at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The lead actor winner from “The Artist” is seen moments after the film was named best picture.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

After winning best picture, the team from “The Artist” addresses the crowd at the the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

It was an exciting night for all those involved with “The Artist” on Sunday. Pyle had a brief role in the film that was named best picture.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Lead actor winner Jean Dujardin holds his costar from “The Artist,” Uggie the Jack Russell terrier, at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Streep uses her Oscar statuette to salute the press corps at the 2012 Academy Awards in Hollywood.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)