In pictures: Oscars 2012, the winners

February 26, 2012. Meryl Streep, winner of Best Actress for "The Iron Lady," and French actor Jean Dujardin, winner of Best Actor for "The Artist," pose backstage at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Reuters / Mike Blake

Octavia Spencer cries after winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Help" at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Reuters / Gary Hershorn

Bret McKenzie of New Zealand throws his Oscar for Achievement in Music (Original Song) for 'Man or Muppet' in the movie 'The Muppets' during the 84th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. EPA/Paul Buck

Actor Christopher Plummer holds the trophy for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Beginners", onstage at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. AFP Photo / Robyn Beck

Director for Iran's Foreign Language entry "A Separation," Asghar Farhadi addresses the audience onstage at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. AFP Photo / Robyn Beck

Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy accept the Oscar for the Best Documentary Short Subject for their film "Saving Face" at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Reuters /Gary Hershorn

French director Michel Hazanavicius, winner of Best Director for his film "The Artist," poses with his Oscar backstage the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Reuters / Mike Blake

French composer Ludovic Bource holds his Oscar for Achievement in Music (Original Score) for 'The Artist' during the 84th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, California EPA/ Paul Buck

Rich Middlemas (L), TJ Martin (2nd R) and Dan Lindsay (R) pose with presenter Sean Combs backstage after winning the Documentary Feature award for "Undefeated" during the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Reuters / Mike Blake

Brandon Oldenburg, second from left, and William Joyce, second from right, pose with presenters Ellie Kemper, left, and Wendi McLendon-Covey as they jump with their awards for best animated short film for "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" during the 84th Academy Awards. AP Photo/Joel Ryan

Producer Thomas Langmann, Jean Dujardin, director Michel Hazanavicius, James Cromwell, Berenice Bejo, Penelope Ann Miller, Missy Pyle, with dog Uggie, hold their Oscars after winning best picture for "The Artist" backstage at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Reuters / Mike Blake

Meryl Streep gestures as she accepts the Oscar for best actress in a leading role for "The Iron Lady" at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles. AP Photo/Chris Carlson