Waltz goes from Hollywood unknown to Oscar winner

[March 08, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Christoph Waltz was a veteran TV and stage actor in Europe who was virtually unknown in Hollywood. Then he met Quentin Tarantino.

Waltz was honored as best supporting actor at Sunday's Academy Awards for his portrayal of a World War II Nazi with a gleeful taste for evil in filmmaker Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds."

"Oscar and Penelope. That's an uber bingo," Waltz said as he accepted his trophy from presenter Penelope Cruz. He lauded Tarantino as a "fearless explorer" who directed the film masterfully, adding, "and that's why I'm here."

The Austrian actor's portrayal of German Col. Hans Landa called on him to give a despicable man an element of unlikely charm and to spew out Tarantino's rapid-fire dialogue in four languages. Waltz was considered a shoo-in for the Oscar after sweeping this season's other awards, including Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild trophies, and critics' group honors.

"Inglourious Basterds" received other top Oscar nominations, including best picture, but Waltz was the only cast member to get a bid. The film's stars included Brad Pitt -- whose Nazi-hunting character, in one graphic scene, carves a swastika into Landa's forehead.

[Associated Press; By LYNN ELBER]

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