Jared Leto has won a slew of awards as an actor and musician, but now the 42-year-old can notch a big trophy off his list: an Oscar. On Sunday night (March 2), he took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Dallas Buyer's Club.
Leto, known not only as an actor but as the frontman of rock band 30 Seconds To Mars, extensively thanked his mother in his moving acceptance speech. "To the academy, thank you. In 1971 Bossier City, Louisiana, there was a teenage girl who was pregnant with her second child. She was a high school dropout and single mom. Somehow, she managed to make a better life for herself and her children," he said. that girl is my mother and she's here tonight. I love you mom; thanks for teaching me to dream."
Leto also brought his brother and 30STM bandmate Shannon to the Academy Awards, whom he thanked for going on the 30 Seconds To Mars "journey" with him.
Known for being politically conscious, Leto also made note of political turmoils in the Ukraine and Venezuela, and he dedicated his award to the 36 million victims of AIDS.
Leto was nominated alongside Barkhad Abdi, Bradley Cooper, Michael Fassbender and Jonah Hill.
This is the first Oscar for Leto, and he was the surefire favorite to take home the award this year. This awards season, he has won a Golden Globe, Independent Spirit Award and a SAG Award.
