After an illustrious Australian career spanning four decades, Animal Kingdom star Jacki Weaver is finally getting the international recognition she deserves following news of her Best Supporting Actress Oscar nod on Jan. 26.

'The first reaction was relief that I hadn't disappointed all those people who kept stopping me in the street saying 'we really want you to get it',” the Sydney-based star told the Sydney Morning Herald, referring to her acclaimed turn as malevolent crime matriarch Smurf. “And then I got elated and then I had a few tears.”

Weaver, 63, who is up against Amy Adams and Melissa Leo (both for The Fighter), Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech) and Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), is one of eight Australians nominated at the 83rd Academy Awards—the most local nods in eight years — which will take place in Los Angeles on February 23.

Geoffrey Rush is nominated for best supporting actor for his role as speech therapist Lionel Logue in The King's Speech—produced by Sydney-based Emile Sherman—which leads the Oscars pool with 12 nods, including best picture.

New mum Nicole Kidman, 42, is vying for her second Best Actress trophy, following her highly acclaimed performance as grieving mother in Rabbit Hole.
Other Aussie nominees include Kirk Baxter for editing The Social Network, illustrator Shaun Tan for directing the animated short film The Lost Thing, Ben Snow for visual effects on Iron Man 2 and Dave Elsey for make-up on The Wolfman.