Backstage with the stars at the Oscars

  • By Rebecca Keegan Los Angeles Times
  • Monday, February 27, 2012 4:21pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

LOS ANGELES — Backstage at the Academy Awards was a place for unscripted moments of jitters, jubilation — and doggy treats.

“We’re so old and we’re so happening!” Meryl Streep shouted, throwing her arms around her longtime makeup artist J. Roy Helland when the two Oscar winners converged in the scrum outside the press room.

Behind Streep and Helland clutching their statuettes, Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier from “The Artist,” was collecting rewards for his performance as well: some treats delivered by trainer Omar Von Muller.

It wasn’t only the Oscar winners who kept the production crew busy.

“Anybody have a 20 on Brad and Angelina?” a staffer called into his headseat.

Brad Pitt was the one up for an Oscar this year, but backstage he was rooting for his partner, Angelina Jolie, as she presented the two screenplay Oscars. Pitt watched Jolie quietly from a monitor in the wings. When Jolie emerged from the stage she rubbed Pitt’s back and wondered what to do with the envelope for original screenplay winner Woody Allen.

“Do we want to get this to Woody,” a stage manager asked. “Does he even care?”

Before she won her Oscar, even a veteran like Streep had to collect herself as a presenter. As she waited to introduce the Academy’s Governors Award winners earlier in the evening, Streep put on her glasses and read her script. Before she took the stage, the actress threw her shoulders back, straightened her dress, exhaled and peeked outside the curtain.

“You’ll push me out when it’s time?” she asked stage manager Dency Nelson.

“I’ll pull you gently, yes,” Nelson said.

Sandra Bullock was a supporting actress — lower case — for best supporting actress Octavia Spencer Sunday night.

When Spencer stepped off the stage after accepting her award, she could barely stand. Bullock held her for 30 seconds and then carried the train of her dress as the two walked through the wings.

“Sandy, thank you for that train,” Spencer said, before making a quick stop at the official Oscar Thank You Cam. Spencer got just one sentence out before stopping.

“I don’t wanna cry. I wanna be pretty,” she said.

Moments before stepping onstage together, presenters Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez practiced a stage turn.

“That was genius!” Sandra Bullock wagged her finger at the ladies as she passed them on her way to the stage.

Diaz and Lopez bumped into Oscar producer Brian Grazer backstage as well, and the group discussed the audience’s muted reaction.

“It was like, uh, hello?” Diaz said.

Lopez jumped in: “We’re trying to entertain you!”

“You livened it up,” Grazer told them.

“We gave it our best one-two punch,” Lopez said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Children play and look up at a large whale figure hanging from the ceiling at the Imagine Children’s Museum (Olivia Vanni / The herald)
Fun for all ages: The best places for family adventures

From thrilling activities to relaxing outings, here’s where to make unforgettable family memories!

Everett P. Fog, 15, in front of an Everett mural along Colby Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hello, Everett! No escape when your name is same as the town

Everett P. Fog, 15, sees and hears his first name wherever he goes. His middle name is also epic.

2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek edition (Provided by Nissan).
2025 Nissan Rogue has new Rock Creek edition

Enhanced outdoor capability is a boon for the more adventurous.

Futuristic Kona Limited Photo Provided By Hyundai Newsroom.
2025 Hyundai Kona Limited SUV Gets Roomier

All-Wheel Drive Option Add To All Trims

Jared Meads takes a breath after dunking in an ice bath in his back yard while his son Fallen, 5, reads off the water temperature on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chill out: Dive into the cold plunge craze

Plungers say they get mental clarity and relief for ails in icy water in tubs, troughs and clubs.

Schack exhibit to highlight Camano Island watercolorists

“Four Decades of Friendship: John Ebner & John Ringen” will be on display Jan. 16 through Feb. 9.

Provided by Bridges Pets, Gifts, & Water Gardens.
Discover where to find the best pet supplies in town

Need the perfect store to spoil your furry friends? Herald readers have you covered.

XRT Trim Adds Rugged Features Designed For Light Off-Roading
Hyundai Introduces Smarter, More Capable Tucson Compact SUV For 2025

Innovative New Convenience And Safety Features Add Value

Sequoia photo provided by Toyota USA Newsroom
If Big Is Better, 2024 Toyota Sequoia Is Best

4WD Pro Hybrid With 3-Rows Elevates Full-Size

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser (Provided by Toyota).
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser revives its roots

After a 3-year hiatus, the go-anywhere SUV returns with a more adventurous vibe.

Enjoy the wilderness in the CX-50. Photo provided by Mazda USA Newsroom
2025 Mazda CX-50 Adds Hybrid Capability to Turbo Options

Line-Up Receives More Robust List Of Standard Equipment

Practical And Functional bZ4X basks in sunshine. Photo provided by Toyota Newsroom.
2024 bZ4X Puts Toyota Twist On All-Electric SUV’s

Modern Styling, Tech & All-Wheel Drive Highlight

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.