Connecting the stars at the Oscars

This was a year in which some of the least connected actors won the most coveted awards.

The often reclusive Daniel Day-Lewis took the Oscar for best actor, beating the omnipresent George Clooney. (Clooney has so many celebrity friends, colleagues and co-stars, he qualifies as a Hollywood hub.)

Marion Cotillard won for best actress, for her role as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose. Tilda Swinton received the Oscar for best supporting actress, in Michael Clayton.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem won best supporting actor, for his chilling role in No Country for Old Men. Although Bardem wasn’t that well known before this year, one could argue that he qualifies as an in-guy just by virtue of dating Penelope Cruz.

No Country for Old Men also won best picture, and brought the Coen brothers, Ethan and Joel, an Oscar for best direction. While they’ll never have the Clooney panache, the Coens don’t have to worry about their phone calls going unanswered.

The brothers have directed a legion of Oscar winners over the years, including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Holly Hunter, Tommy Lee Jones and Frances McDormand.

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