Melissa Leo Runs Own “For Your Consideration” Ads. But Will It Ruin Her Oscar Chances?

Melissa Leo was uh-maze-zing in “The Fighter” as a mother/manager who sticks by her former-wrestler son even when it’s pretty clear that he’s a junkie who screws up everything. Leo won the Golden Globe and SAG Awards for Best Supporting Actress for the performance. But I guess she’s a little nervous about the Oscars? Apparently, Leo placed ads yesterday in publications like Deadline, that Academy Award voters read. She paid for the ads herself. “I took matters into my own hands. I knew what I was doing and told my representation how earnest I was about this idea,” she said. “I had never heard of any actor taking out an ad as themselves and I wanted to give it a shot.”

But the two ads she ran are terribly cheesetastic. Apparently, she thinks the Academy will be swayed by fur coats?

“For Your Consideration” ads are a tradition in the run-up to the Oscars, but ads are generally purchased by a studio or production company and look far sleeker than these. Dave Karger of Entertainment Weekly says, “I’ve talked to a few Academy members who now say they’re less likely to vote for her.” Could Leo have pissed off Academy voters with the ads and torpedoed her chances of winning when she’s considered the frontrunner?

What do you think—was this a bold move, or a really bad idea?

http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-melissa-leo-runs-own-for-your-consideration-ad.-but-will-it-ruin-her-os/

I love Melissa Leo. She has been in the business since the 80's and has had little to no recognition until the past couple years. I thought she was amazing in Frozen River, and that she should have won the Oscar for it. I also thought she did an excellent job in The Fighter, and should win the Oscar this month. However, this is just nuts. She has been the clear front runner so I have no clue why she felt the need to do this. I'm thinking winning the Globe and the SAG Award got her Oscar hungry. Supposedly most of the Oscar ballots have been submitted already, so I hope it doesn't hurt her too much.

She should learn from Diana Ross and Berry Gordy what happens when you try to "buy" an Oscar (see Lady Sings the Blues). :eek: :eek: :eek:

She should learn from Diana Ross and Berry Gordy what happens when you try to "buy" an Oscar (see Lady Sings the Blues). :eek: :eek: :eek:

Yep. If she loses, she will have completely embarrassed herself.

I remember Melissa Leo all the way back when she played Cliff Warner's (Peter Bergman) sister Linda on All My Children in 1984. She was a great actress even then lol

I remember Melissa Leo all the way back when she played Cliff Warner's (Peter Bergman) sister Linda on All My Children in 1984. She was a great actress even then lol

I read that she beat out Julia Roberts (THAT Julia Roberts) for the role. Julia Roberts also lost out on the role of Kelly Capwell on Santa Barbara to Robin Wright. Yes, THAT Robin Wright. :cool: :D

I read that she beat out Julia Roberts (THAT Julia Roberts) for the role. Julia Roberts also lost out on the role of Kelly Capwell on Santa Barbara to Robin Wright. Yes, THAT Robin Wright. :cool: :D

Robin Wright is another actress who doesn't get nearly enough recognition for how great she is.

Robin Wright is another actress who doesn't get nearly enough recognition for how great she is.

I agree - check out the clips of her from Santa Barbara - she had IT already, and she was only 18 when she started on that show. She's done some incredible work since then, but my favorite movie of hers will always be The Princess Bride. Ironically, Robin's ex Sean Penn and Melissa Leo both starred in the movie 21 Grams, although I don't think they had any scenes together. If they did, it's obvious I don't remember.

Ah, Kay Howard...

Ah, yes, Homicide: Life on the Streets. Was she on for the entire run of that show? She also did an awesome job as a defense attorney in the S4 opener of Law & Order, and truly held her own opposite Michael Moriarty. The same of the episode is "Sweeps", and another guest star is a then-unknown David Krumholtz. Check it out if you can!:cool:

Melissa was also excellent portraying a rape victim in the 1985 Silent Witness, starring Valerie Bertinelli.

Was that the same movie where Val played a nun?

Was that the same movie where Val played a nun?

No, I'm not sure what that one is. In this one, Val played a woman who decided to go against her husband's wishes to testify in court.

No, I'm not sure what that one is. In this one, Val played a woman who decided to go against her husband's wishes to testify in court.

OK, thanks, Michael! :cool:

I find it extremely tacky when actors, directors, and producers actively campaign during awards season. Let your work speak for itself. The awards are meant to be given for the best work not the best advertising campaign. :rolleyes:

I find it extremely tacky when actors, directors, and producers actively campaign during awards season. Let your work speak for itself. The awards are meant to be given for the best work not the best advertising campaign. :rolleyes:

Almost everyone campaigns but it's usually behind-the-scenes so the public doesn't know about it. But I agree that it is quite tacky when brought to this level.

Almost everyone campaigns but it's usually behind-the-scenes so the public doesn't know about it. But I agree that it is quite tacky when brought to this level.

Agreed.

I guess whatever she did must have worked because she won!

Her comments didn't hurt anything she won.

It was said that the majority of the ballots were in before her ads were released. She most likely did it as a joke, but it just came off as odd. So glad she won, though!

Yes, and she also has the dubious "honor" of being the first Academy Award winner to say the "F" word in her speech. Since they are on a 5-minute (I think) delay, the word was deleted before it got to air, but man!! :eek: :eek: :eek: