Don Cheadle, "Hotel Rwanda"
Career nominations: 1

Known as an actor's actor, Cheadle, 40, landed this role of a lifetime after bigger names passed on the script. He embodied the ingenuity, canniness and poise of real-life hotelier Paul Rusesabagina, who personally saved over a thousand Rwandans during the country's genocide. Cheadle is best known as a member of the "Ocean's 11" and "Traffic" ensembles. The actor was also nominated for a Golden Globe.

(United Artists)