HOLLYWOOD — "Slumdog Millionaire" completed its rags-to-riches run by winning eight Oscars, including best picture, to dominate Sunday night's Academy Awards in Hollywood.
The uplifting film about an impoverished Indian orphan who enjoys a remarkable run on a game show also captured directing honors for Danny Boyle, in addition to triumphs for adapted screenplay, cinematography, editing and both music Oscars, score and song.
In the best actor category, Sean Penn walked away with the Oscar for his portrayal of slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk in "Milk," scoring the victory over the sentimental favorite Mickey Rourke for "Wrestler. The victory was the second best actor Oscar for Penn, who also won in 2004 for "Mystic River."
Best actress honors went to Kate Winslet for her turn as an ex-Nazi prison guard who enters into an affair with a teenage boy in "The Reader." It was Winslet's first Oscar win in six tries.
As many predicted, Heath Ledger won best supporting actor for his portrayal of the Joker in the Batman movie "The Dark Knight," becoming just the second actor to win an Oscar posthumously. The award was accepted by Ledger's father, mother and sister.
Penelope Cruz won the first big award of the night, capturing best supporting actress for her role in Woody Allen's Spanish romance "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
Sunday's ceremony was hosted by Hugh Jackman and held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The world's top film honors are given out annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
More coverage:
81st Academy Awards Winners List
81st Academy Awards Red Carpet Photo Gallery
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