First-timers dominated, and shouted out their kinfolk

HOLLYWOOD LOVES SHINY NEW THINGS, AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE Academy Awards each year, what's new is often notable and worthy of shiny gold-plated statues. That was certainly the case for the acting categories 20 years ago at the 78th Oscars, held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on March 5, 2006. That night, 14 of the 20 acting nominees had never been nominated before, and all four acting winners were first-time nominees.

- Story by Randee Dawn

LEADING THE WAY

After this night, Philip Seymour Hoffman would go on to receive three more Oscar nominations, but in portraying writer Truman Capote in “Capote,” he received his first bid at the prize — and ultimately, his only win.

“I'm really overwhelmed,” he told the audience after accepting the leading actor Oscar from Hilary Swank. Offering his thanks, he singled out his mother, Marilyn O'Connor, who he brought to the event. “I'd like if you see her tonight to congratulate her, because she brought up four kids alone and she deserves a congratulations for that,” he said. “She took me to my first play and she stayed up with me and watched the NCAA Final Four, and my passions, her passions became my passions.”

Hoffman was up against strong competition in Terrence Howard (“Hustle & Flow”), Heath Ledger (“Brokeback Mountain”), Joaquin Phoenix (“Walk the Line”) and David Strathairn (“Good Night, and Good Luck”). Had he won, Ledger would have been the youngest winner in the category, at 26. Sadly, Ledger died in 2008 and Hoffman in 2014.