Jeff Bridges took home the Oscar for the Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in Crazy Heart, the movie written and directed by Hampden-Sydney Alumnus Scott Cooper ’92. The film was nominated for two other awards: Maggie Gyllenhaal - Best Supporting Actress; and Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett for the Best Original Song, "The Weary Kind." Acceptance video of Jeff Bridges

Cooper says he can't believe what is happening; all he wanted was to make an honest film that paid tribute to all the bluegrass and country legends from his youth growing up in Virginia.  He told H-SC President Christopher Howard that his English courses at Hampden-Sydney helped him write the screenplay but majoring in economics helped negotiate the deals.


Scott Cooper: Back to his roots - Roanoke Times - February 5, 2010

Twin Cities Daily Planet - January 17, 2010

Los Angeles Times - December 22, 2009

Interview with Scott Cooper - CinemaBlend.com - December 18, 2009