John Hawkes, the 51-year-old American actor whose previous roles have included appearances on 'Psych', 'Monk' and 'Without a Trace', has been nominated for the 'Best Supporting Actor' award at this year's Academy Awards. Hawkes' was one of the more surprising inclusions on the list of nominees that were announced by actress MO'NIQUE this morning (25th January 2011).

The actor has been recognised for his performance in the 2010 drama movie 'Winter's Bone' about the underworld of illegal meth laboratories in the Ozark region of the United States. The film, which won the Grand Jury Prize at last year's Sundance Film Festival, also received an OSCAR nomination for 'Best Picture' and 'Best Adapted Screenplay'. Audiences may remember Hawkes from his appearances on the hit television series 'Lost', in which he starred in three episodes as 'Lennon'. His previous film credits include the 2003 movie 'Identity' which starred John Cusack and he also appeared alongside George Clooney in 'The Perfect Storm'.

To take home the award for 'Best Supporting Actor' at next month's ceremony, Hawkes will have to fend off tough competition from the heavily tipped Christian Bale as well as from Jeremy Renner, Geoffrey Rush and MARK RUFFALO.