Affleck, Holbrook make Oscar race

BEVERLY HILLS , Calif., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Casey Affleck, Javier Bardem, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Hal Holbrook and Tom Wilkinson are in the running for Hollywood's best supporting actor Oscar.

Affleck was nominated for "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," Bardem for "No Country for Old Men," Hoffman for "Charlie Wilson's War," Holbrook for "Into the Wild" and Wilkinson for "Michael Clayton."

"It's an honor to receive this nomination, which is undoubtedly the recognition of the work and talent of all those creative and professional people from my trade, that have inspired and improved me during all these years," Bardem said in statement issued by Miramax Films. "Thanks to Scott Rudin, Miramax and Paramount Vantage for giving me the chance to work alongside such talented actors."

Nominated in the best supporting actress category were Cate Blanchett for "I'm Not There," Ruby Dee for "American Gangster," Saoirse Ronan for "Atonement," Amy Ryan for "Gone Baby Gone" and Tilda Swinton for "Michael Clayton."

"Thank you so much to the academy for this honor. In a year with so many great films, it is truly amazing to be nominated in the company of such talented actresses," Ryan said in a statement.