Oscar Nominees: Who Is Demián Bichir?

Turn the clock back one day and consider some of the names being shortlisted for Best Actor Oscar nominations: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, Demián Bichir.

What's that? Didn't catch the last one? Bichir, who beat out DiCaprio and Gosling (not to mention Shame's Michael Fassbender), is one of five actors nominated for the most coveted award in acting. Pitt, Clooney, Gary Oldman and The Artist's Jean Dujardin are the other four. If you're like most people, you're probably wondering how this unfamiliar name — who stars in a wholly unfamiliar movie — made it to the front of the pack.

Before we trace the history of Bichir's very interesting life and career (he's actually a household name in his native Mexico), let's set the record straight about the likelihood of the nomination. Many people predicted he had a fighting chance, given the fact that Bichir was among five actors nominated for a Screen Actors' Guild Award — a far better indicator, these days, than the Golden Globes or the Critics' Choice Awards, both of which overlooked him.

While his name may still seem strange to you, his face may not. Ever watch Weeds on Showtime? Bingo! Bichir, 48, played Esteban Reyes, the love interest of Mary-Louise Parker's character. And if you happened to catch Steven Soderbergh's masterful two-part biopic of Communist revolutionary Che Guevara, Che, then you might remember Bichir's critically acclaimed portrayl of Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro.

But Che was still a good ten years after Bichir's big break. In 1998's Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas, a highly regarded film that smashed Mexican box-office records, Bichir played Tomás, a man caught in a love affair with a married woman. The movie, written and directed by Antonio Serrano, catapulted Bichir into his status as one of the most well-known actors in Mexico.

Now all the talk is about A Better Life, which has put Bichir into a whole new category by providing him with his first Oscar nomination. Directed by Chris Weitz, the film stars Bichir as a gardener in East L.A. who tries desperately to improve the living conditions for himself and his teenage son, despite surrounding gang violence and harsh immigration officials. (See trailer below — it's a tear-jerker!)

Obviously, Bichir's performance floored a large constituency of fellow actors and Academy members, which only means good things for chances of winning on February 24. For now, though, Bichir is remaining humble and grateful. "I'm overwhelmed for having my name among those incredible actors," Bichir told Us Weekly upon hearing the news. "This could have never happened if Chris Weitz had not been the head of this film. He is my brother and I thank him deeply."

Watch the trailer for A Better Life here:

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