Bedford, Home to Oscar Greats

This northern part of Westchester is chock full of celebrity residents, no secret there. 

But on the map of Oscar notables, how many hail from Bedford, NY? There is, in fact, quite an impressive list—one we thought we would share as the 83rd annual Academy Awards ceremony airs at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Stanley Tucci: This alum of was born in Katonah. His large body of work encompasses such films as Big Night, The Devil Wears Prada, The Terminal, The Lovely Bones, directing roles, numerous television and stage parts in addition to a writing career. In 2009, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Lovely Bones. 

Chris Wedge: A Katonah local, Wedge is the director of such popular films as Ice Age and Robots. He is co-founder of Blue Sky Studios, one of the premier computer animation studios and producer of Wedge's films. His Oscar history includes a win in 1999, for Bunny, an animated short and a nomination in 2003 for Best Animated Feature for the hit movie, Ice Age. 

Lasse Hallstrom and Lena Olin: Swedish film director and actress-wife Lena Olin, Bedford residents, received several Oscar nods over the past decades. In 1987, Hallestrom was nominated in the category of Best Director for My Life as a Dog and in 2000 for Cider House Rules. Olin was nominated for Best Actress in 1989 for Enemies: A Love Story.

Felicity Huffman: Born in Bedford and known for television work on programs such as Frasier and Desperate Housewives, Huffman was nominated for Best Actress in 2006 for her role in the film Transamerica.

Glenn Close: Bedford Hills’ own five-time Best Actress Oscar nominee Glenn Close has had a prolific career on stage and screen. The five films for which she was nominated:  Dangerous Liaisons (1989), Fatal Attraction (1988), The Natural (1985), The Big Chill (1984) and The World According to Garp (1983)

Joseph Leo Mankiewicz: The late film director, screenwriter and producer has perhaps brought the most Oscars nods home to Bedford. He has been nominated for six Academy Awards and in 1950 he won for A Letter to Three Wives. In 1951, another screenwriting Oscar came for All About Eve.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones: The most recent celebrities to buy a home in town, this Hollywood couple has Oscar power. Douglas has two wins: Best Actor in 1988 for Wall Street and Best Picture in 1976 for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Zeta-Jones won Best Supporting Actress in 2003 for her role in Chicago.

For the Oscar-poolers and party-goers, Patch consulted with John Farr, a local film advocate, commentator and editor of Best Movies by Farr.  He had some thoughts on the past year in film and some personal predictions for the industry’s big night on Sunday.

Bedford-Katonah Patch: Seeing the above list, is Bedford becoming “Hollywood East?”

JF: I’m not sure I would call Bedford “Hollywood East,” given all the different places stars settle seasonally (like the Hamptons) and of course, so many live in Manhattan. But I would say that there is good reason why so many celebrities choose to have homes in Bedford. I believe they are able to maintain their privacy here—they are treated like everyone else and can keep some sense of anonymity.

Bedford-Katonah Patch: Are you looking forward to this year’s broadcast?

JF:  I will watch with interest. Though my favorite Oscar broadcasts were back when there was a real anchor to the show—Bob Hope for example, or Billy Crystal. They kept the long broadcasts brisk and entertaining. There seems to be a lot of filler now and it can feel simply too long. I don’t believe this was an outstanding year at the movies but people will still tune in to see the winners or perhaps just to see what the celebs are wearing.

Bedford-Katonah Patch: You’ve got to leave us with your picks.

JF: Sure. The following are my predictions of winners but not necessarily my picks for some top categories:

Best Actor: Colin Firth in The King’s Speech

Best Actress: Annette Bening in The Kids are All Right

Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale in The Fighter

Best Supporting Actress: Toss-up between Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit and Melissa Leo in The Fighter

Best Animated Film: Toy Story 3

Best Cinematography:  Inception

Best Documentary: Restrepo

Best Director: Tom Hooper for The King’s Speech

Best Film: The Social Network