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CNN Live At Daybreak

At Academy Awards, Halle Berry Became First African-American to Be Named Best Actress

Aired March 25, 2002 - 05:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Oscar is colorblind. At last night's Academy Awards Halle Berry became the first African-American to be named best actress. And Denzel Washington became the second black to win the best actor award. Berry was honored for her role in "Monster's Ball," and Washington was chosen for his performance in "Training Day."

And in case you fell asleep during that long Oscar telecast, we want to get more on last night's excitement. We want to join CNN's Lilian Kim, who is live in Hollywood. And we got an e-mail, Lilian, from -- let's see -- Terry (ph) in Washington state. He says, "We watched all of the Oscar and thought it was the best one ever. The new Kodak Theater is a real gem."

What did you think?

LILIAN KIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Kodak Theater is absolutely beautiful. You know, it's right in the heart of Hollywood, and a lot of actors are saying that that's where the Oscar telecast should be. So, yeah, definitely a step up from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the Shrine Auditorium, where the Oscar -- Oscar ceremonies have been taking place in the past.

COSTELLO: Got you.

So the ceremony as a whole, it was the longest one ever.

KIM: Four hours and 23 minutes, yes -- quite long.

COSTELLO: It seemed endless to me. At some points I would wake up and turn on the TV and it seems like they were always doing something I wasn't so interested in.

KIM: Yeah, it was very long, four hours and 23 minutes. But, you know, it seemed worth it when you saw Halle Berry win for best actress. She was so emotional and so beautiful, and I think a lot of people were rooting for her. And it was a breakthrough for African- Americans in Hollywood.

So it was a momentous night, considering that she won and Denzel Washington won and Sidney Poitier got an award -- an honorary Oscar as well. So it was a big night for black Hollywood.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HALLE BERRY, ACTRESS: Tonight means that every woman of color should be hopeful, because it can happen, you know? And I hope that that's what tonight brings. Will tonight change the industry? I don't know. But if it changes the minds of those people who felt defeated, if now they feel hopeful, eventually those inspired hearts will make a change. I believe that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KIM: It was a big night for "A Beautiful Mind" as well. That movie captured four Academy Awards, including best picture and best director for Ron Howard. For Ron Howard, it was somewhat of a validation. The academy snubbed him six years ago, when they did not nominate him for "Apollo 13." So this is a big win for him tonight.

Also, we have a best supporting acting category. Jennifer Connelly won for whole role as the struggling wife of John Nash in "A Beautiful Mind." And Jim Broadbent won for his role in "Iris." He played the husband of British novelist Iris Murdoch.

So big awards going out to a handful of movies tonight. No clear big winner. Of course, "A Beautiful Mind" got the top awards, but it seemed it was evenly spread out throughout the movies -- Carol.

COSTELLO: OK, Lilian. I have to ask you about the governor's ball. Exciting?

KIM: Well, you know, a lot of people -- a lot of actors go there first because it's kind of an obligatory step, I guess you could say, before they move on to the higher profile parties scattered throughout L.A. Of course, the higher profile parties being the "Vanity Fair" party at Morton's restaurant, the Elton John AIDS Foundation. But the governor's ball always a big one; the first stop usually, and a lot of fun there.

COSTELLO: All right. Lilian Kim, thank you very much for joining us live this morning, because it's really late over in L.A. Thanks, Lilian.

(WEATHER)

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