'The Help's' Octavia Spencer & Viola Davis Get Oscar 2012 Nods

The envelope please, three of the stars of the ensemble film "The Help" --  Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain pictured below -- received Oscar nominations for their supporting roles in the civil-rights-era drama, which also earned a nomination for best picture Tuesday morning.  


 The Help costar Octiava Spencer Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her turn as the spunky and spirited "revenge pie baker" Minnie Jackson. Last year the 39-year-old actress told Anderson Cooper that she beat out A-list actresses Queen Latifah, Mo’Nique and Jennifer Hudson for the breakout screen role.

Also nominated in the category were Berenice Bejo for "The Artist," Melissa McCarthy for "Bridesmaids" and Janet McTeer for "Albert Nobbs."

Having two Black actresses nominated in two major categories at this year’s Oscar telecast makes one wonder how fun the upcoming ceremony would be if originally tapped host Eddie Murphy worked the stage. But of course now we’ll never know. 

With nine-time Academy Award veteran host Billy Crystal once again helming emcee duties, even if we get few fresh surprises we know at least we will be promised laughs. All in all, it should make for a very interesting night.

In addition, Siedah Garrett pictured above, who famously wrote "Man in the Mirror" for Michael Jackson, received a nomination for best original song for "Real in Rio" from Rio.

The Help received four nominations, included one for best picture.  Click here for the complete list of nominees. 

Watch the 84th Academy Awards broadcast on Sunday, February 26 on ABC.