Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Denzel Washington, Flight

Hugh Jackman is beloved by Hollywood and all, but fellow actors simply love how method Daniel Day-Lewis gets for his craft. In this instance it's a competition between popularity and perseverance, with the crowning winner being: Daniel Day-Lewis. In his acceptance speech he pointed out how it was an actor that murdered Abraham Lincoln, but with the sheer dedication he brings to every role, Day-Lewis was able to revive Lincoln for our viewing pleasure. It's alive!!!