Photo: OSCARS: Mexican Actor Demian Bichir Nominated for Best Actor for 'A Better Life'
Mexican actor Demian Bichir told Us Weekly being nominated for an Academy Award is overwhelming.
Bichir is up against Hollywood heavy-hitters like George Clooney and Brad Pitt in the Best Actor category this year for his role in A Better Life, but he says that whether he wins or loses, he’s just “overwhelmed … having my name among those incredible actors.”
The 48-year-old actor has just begun getting some attention in the U.S., but he’s been a star in Mexico since his role in the telenovela Rina, which he took at the age of 14.
His notoriety in the U.S. increased when he became the corrupt mayor of Tijuana, Esteban Reyes, in the Showtime series Weeds.
In ‘A Better Life,’ Demián Bichir portrays Carlos Galindo, an undocumented Mexican gardener fighting to create a better life for himself and his son. Throughout the movie he tries to connect and protect his son, something his son does not always understand.
At the 84th Annual Academy Awards, which will air February 26 at 7 p.m. EST on ABC, Bichir will be up against Clooney, Pitt, Jean Dujardin, and Gary Oldman.
Fellow Latino Berenice Bejo has also been nominated for an Academy Award.
Bejo is up for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for portrayal of Peppy Miller, whose falls in love with a silent film star in The Artist
The Argentine-French actress is known for her role in the Heath Ledger-starring action-adventure film A Knight’s Tale, in which she played Christiana, friend and aid to the movie’s love interest Jocelyn (played by Shannyn Sossamon).
