Redmayne, Cranston & More Broadway Stars Among 2016 OSCAR Nominees!

Directors Guillermo del Toro and Ang Lee and actor John Krasinski (THE OFFICE, 13 HOURS) joined Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs to announce the nominations for the 88th ACADEMY AWARDS in all 24 categories at a special two-part live news conference held this morning. Click here for full list of nominees!

Stars from the world of theater were recognized in several categories this year. For Best Actor in a Lead Role, Tony Award winner Bryan Cranston (ALL THE WAY) received a nod for TRUMBO. He shares the honor with last year's Oscar winner and Tony Award winner Eddie Redmayne (RED) for THE DANISH GIRL, and Michael Fassbender for STEVE JOBS.

Stage veteran Cate Blanchett received a nomination as Best Actress for her performance in CAROL. Sharing the category is BROOKLYN's Saoirse Ronan, who will make her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE later this year.

In the category of Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Mark Ruffalo (HBO's THE NORMAL HEART, AWAKE AND SING!) received a nomination for his work in SPOTLIGHT. Tony winner Mark Rylance (TWELFTH NIGHT/RICHARD III, JERUSALEM) also received a nod in the category for his role in Steven Spielberg's BRIDGE OF SPIES.

SPOTLIGHT will compete in the category of Best Film. The movie stars Bryan D'Arcy James (SOMETHING ROTTEN) and Mark Ruffalo. The film will compete against seven other contenders including The Revenant, The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, Brooklyn, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Martian, and Room.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, who made her Broadway debut as CABARET's Sally Bowles, received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in THE HATEFUL EIGHT. She most recently appeared on Broadway in 2011's THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES.

Hot off her Golden Globe Award win for AMERICAN HORROR STORY, singer and actress Lady Gaga received recognition for her song "Til It Happens to You", from the documentary film THE HUNTING GROUND. Gaga co-wrote the song with Diane Warren. The singer took to Twitter following the nomination's announcement to share an emotional note explaining the impact the song has had on the sexual abuse community: "This nomination lends a voice to victims and survivors all over the world. Thank you to THE ACADEMY for recognizing the movement of people who have come together for this film & song in the name of sexual assault. Myself and Diane are simply honored to represent the voices of so many SURVIVORS."

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2015 will be presented on Oscar® Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide. Comedian Chris Rock returns as host of the annual awards event.

Photo courtesy of ABC (A.M.P.A.S.(r)/Michael Yada)