He's up for the prize this year for David Cronenberg's stunning Eastern Promises, but Mortensen himself isn't a 'fame' kinda person.

Hailing from New York, New York, the 49-year-old actor was all set to start his career with Woody Allen, getting a role in The Purple Rose Of Cairo -- but his scenes were snipped onto the editing room floor. His first break then came in Peter Weir's Witness (left) in 1985, netting a small role in the Harrison Ford starrer.

Text: Raja Sen

Also read: Nominee Spotlight: George Clooney

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