FILE PHOTO: Biopic Roles Traditionally Lead As Oscar Nominations Are Announced

(FILE PHOTO) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Iris Murdoch and actresses Kate Winslet (L) and Judi Dench. Oscar hype continues this week with the announcement of the nominations for the 84th Academy Awards. Luise Rainer became the first actress to receive an Academy Award for her role in the 1936 biopic 'The Great Ziegfeld,' playing stage performer Anna Held. Over half of the last ten Oscars for best actor or actress have been for performances in a biopic. ***LEFT IMAGE***1963: Anglo-Irish prize winning novelist, playwright and philosopher, Iris Murdoch (1919 - 1999) looks on in 1963. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)***RIGHT IMAGE***2001: Actress Kate Winslet and Dame Judi Dench on the set of the movie, "Iris" on May 4, 2001 in Suffolk, Great Britain. The real life author portray battled with Alzheimer's disease. (Photo by James Whatling/UK Press/Newsmakers)