Monessen native Frances McDormand wins best actress Oscar for 'Three Billboards'
LOS ANGELES — Monessen native Frances McDormand capped an awards season of accolades with the biggest one of all: an Oscar for best actress.
After sweeping trophies at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, Independent Spirit and BAFTA ceremonies, McDormand won for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."
She played Mildred Hayes, a hardened woman seeking justice for her daughter's murder in the crime drama.
Best Actress Frances McDormand asks all the female nominees to stand at the #Oscars , calls for an inclusion rider https://t.co/RuqvtKMvWx pic.twitter.com/jbFHN4kHrT
" Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 5, 2018
McDormand rarely does anything A-list actresses are known to do: wear designer gowns, walk red carpets or politic during awards season and yet she collected all the biggest trophies this season.
At the Spirit awards on Oscar eve, McDormand said it had been hard not to swear the last couple months because "this awards convention goes on (expletive) forever."
After offering thanks on Sunday night, McDormand turned serious and said, "Now I want to get some perspective."
She asked all the other female nominees in every category to stand up in the audience.
#FrancesMcDormand just gave one of the most important speeches EVER!! What an amazing human being! #WomenSupportingWomen https://t.co/QCX1d7v3Wh
" Jaime Pressly (@theJaimePressly) March 5, 2018
"Meryl, if you do it, everyone else will," she said to best-actress nominee Meryl Streep, who sat in the front row of the Dolby Theatre.
"Look around everybody, because we all have stories to tell and projects that need to be financed," McDormand said, urging the decision-makers not to talk about proposals at the post-show parties but to meet in the office.
'I really hope Frances McDormand wins an Emmy for the speech she gave at the Oscars' #Oscars pic.twitter.com/mdLhLQVlGT
" Luis Fábregas (@LuisTrib) March 5, 2018
McDormand beat out Sally Hawkins of "The Shape of Water," Margot Robbie of "I, Tonya," Saoirse Ronan of "Lady Bird," and 21-time nominee Streep of "The Post."
It was the second Oscar win for McDormand. Her first came in 1997 for "Fargo," directed by her husband Joel Coen and his brother Ethan.