Actress Melissa Leo was honored with the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as the ‘domineering matriarch’ of a boxing family in the movie, “The Fighter”, featuring Matt Damon and Australian Actor, Christian Bale.

Leo has bested strong fellow nominees for the major category including co-star, Amy Adam for “The Fighter”, Helena Bonham Carter for “The King’s Speech”, Hailee Steinfeld for “True Grit” and Australian actress, Jackie Weaver for “Animal Kingdom”.

The Oscar winning actress has received mixed reactions for her pre-Oscars efforts to promote her nomination through ads in film trade papers. Such initiative said David Germain of the Associated Press is considered ‘tacky by some awards voters’.

Leo is described by AP with moderate success before 83rd Oscars win for her role on TV’s “Homicide: Life on the Street” which she was part of in her 30s. Leo propelled to stardom in the big-screen in her late 40s and tonight’s win topped her decades-long Hollywood career.

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