Photo Gallery
Oscars: Class of 2008 Portraits

BEST ACTOR: GEORGE CLOONEY
Michael Clayton
Age 46 Role See title, above. Cutting-Room Floor Clooney's divorced ''fixer'' character originally had a girlfriend. ''We shot it with Jennifer Ehle — she gave a wonderful performance,'' says Clooney. ''And the more we did it, we realized you have to isolate this character more. And having a girlfriend, he's not in as much trouble.'' Clooney wrote Ehle a note to apologize: ''I didn't cut it, but I still feel bad about it.'' Up Next He stars in his third directorial effort, the football comedy Leatherheads (out April 4). He's also wrapped the Coen brothers caper Burn After Reading, and has lent his voice to Wes Anderson's upcoming animated film The Fantastic Mr. Fox. —Dave Karger