Academy Awards Governors Ball 2012

“Bridesmaids” actress Maya Rudolph jokes with Jim Rash, who holds his Oscar for best adapted screenplay for “The Descendants.”  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Sandra Bullock, who won the lead actress Oscar in 2010, waits to surprise 2012 winner Meryl Streep outside the Governors Ball.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The two lead actresses meet.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Lead actress winner Meryl Streep with her husband, Don Gummer.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The crowd cheers for Tony Bennett.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Nat Faxon, left, and Jim Rash hold their Oscars for best adapted screenplay for “The Descendants” outside the Governors Ball at the Hollywood & Highland complex.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Crooner Tony Bennett performs at the Governors Ball.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tony Bennett performs for the stars after the Oscar ceremony.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The Governors Ball, following the 84th Academy Awards, was packed with Oscar winners ¿ not least because that’s where they get their statuettes engraved, as Michel Hazanavicius did with his best director Oscar on Sunday night.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Supporting actress Spencer has a high-five moment with best director Hazanavicius as the lead actress winner, Meryl Streep, enjoys the levity.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Coulier with a guest and the award for best achievement in makeup for “The Iron Lady,” an award he shared with J. Roy Helland.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Lead actor winner Dujardin with his newly engraved best friend.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Chef Puck catered the official after-party at the Hollywood & Highland complex.  (Chris Pizzello/ Associated Press)

They were the winners for best documentary short for “Saving Face,” about a plastic surgeon who performs reconstructive surgery on Pakistani women disfigured by domestic violence.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

He took home the Oscar for best original score for “The Artist.”  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Director and the lead actors from “The Artist.”  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Payne’s work on the adapted screenplay for “The Descendants” made him a winner.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

He’s known as the “French George Clooney.”  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Farhadi, winner for foreign-language film for “A Separation,” with the man of the night, lead actor winner Dujardin.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Checking out their awards.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Best with the best -- supporting actress and director, that is.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Supervising an indelible moment: the engraving of his name on the lead actor Oscar.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

The best actresses from 2012 and 2010 prepare to hug it out.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Enjoying the win, which, despite 17 nominations, was her first since “Sophie’s Choice” in 1984. She’s taken Oscar home three times total -- the other was for supporting actress for her role in “Kramer vs. Kramer.”  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

The songwriter got his hands on the original song Oscar for “Man or Muppet” from “The Muppets,” Well, sort of got his hands on it.  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

She was nominated for supporting actress for “The Bridesmaids.” Ah well, still a Bridesmaid.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

The actress starred in Iran’s “A Separation,” which won for foreign-language film.  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

She was nominated for actress in a leading role for “Albert Nobbs.”  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

The Oscar presenter will next be seen in “Resident Evil: Retribution.”  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

The director, with his wife, saw his film “War Horse” nominated for best picture.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

He was nominated for supporting actor for “The Warrior.”  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

The best actress nominee attended the ball with her husband.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

The actor, with his actress wife, took home an honorary Oscar last year.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

He became the oldest actor winner, at 82, when he took the statuette for his supporting role in “Beginners.”  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

“The Artist” actress in a pale green beaded gown.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

His “Undefeated” won for documentary feature, an award he shared with co-director Daniel Lindsay.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Last year’s winner for actress in a lead role attended with her son.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Byrne, who attended the Governors Ball with a guest, presented the award for documentary short.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

She and father Terry George won for live-action short for “The Shore,” set in Northern Ireland.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

A couple of winners enjoy the Champagne and the afterglow.  (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press)

Henning and his wife arrive at the party after his win for visual effects, for “Hugo.”  (Valerie Macon / AFP / Getty Images)

The editor of “The Artist,” a nominee.  (Valerie Macon / AFP / Getty Images)

He swept the awards this season with his supporting performance in “Beginners.”  (Valerie Macon / AFP / Getty Images)

A win-win scenario.  (Valeie Macon / AFP / Getty Images)

The two-time Oscar winner presented the best director award.  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

The lead actress winner shares in the glory with her husband.  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Till next year ...  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Sealing the evening with a kiss.  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)