Sandra Bullock, Best Actress, said, "Did I really earn this or did I just wear you all down? "

Jeff Bridges, Best Actor, said, "Thank you Mom and Dad, for turning me onto such a groovy profession."

Mo'nique, Best Supporting Actress, said, "I want to thank Miss Hattie McDaniel for enduring all that she had to, so I would not have to."

Christoph Waltz, Best Supporting Actor, said, "This is your welcoming embrace and there is no way I can ever thank you enough, but I can start right now, thank you."

With nine nominations each, "The Hurt Locker" and "Avatar" tied for the Oscar lead.

In the end, "The Hurt Locker" claimed six honors, including best picture, best director, best original screenplay, film editing, sound editing and mixing.

And the sci-fi spectacle "Avatar" won three Oscars, for visual effects, art direction and cinematography.