Kate Winslet won her first Oscar from six nominations for her performance as Hanna Schmitz in 'The Reader' at the 81st Academy Awards on Sunday, February 22 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Photo Credit: Sawf NewsFebruary 23, 2009, (Sawf News) - Kate Winslet won her first Oscar from six nominations for her performance as Hanna Schmitz in The Reader at the 81st Academy Awards on Sunday, February 22 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.
"Kate Winslet with each new role you continue to push the boundaries of what's possible," said presenter Marion Cotillard, winner of the Best Actress Oscar in 2007.
Winselt hugged and kissed her husband Sam Mendes, when Cotillard announced her win.
She was careful with her dress as she stepped onto the stage to receive her award, something she had promised she would be during her walk down the red carpet earlier.
"I'd be lying if I haven't made a version of this speech before," Kate said in her acceptance speech. "I think I was probably eight years old and staring in the bathroom mirror. This was probably the shampoo bottle. Well it's not a shampoo bottle now. I feel very fortunate to have made it all the way from there to here."
"I'd like to thank some of the people along the way who had faith in me, my friends and my family, especially my mum and my dad, who are in this room. Dad, whistle or something 'cause then I'll know where you are," Kate said, immediately drawing a whistle from her proud father.
"Yeahhhh!" Kate screamed.
Kate went on to thank her husband, Director Sam Mendes, and children, before deferring to the other stars nominated in her category.
"I want to acknowledge my fellow nominees, these goddesses," she said. "I think we all can't believe we were in this category with Meryl Streep at all."
"I am sorry Meryl, but you have to just suck that up," she joked.
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