Melissa Leo Rolls Out 'Consider' Ads in Time For the Oscars

By Sarah Crow Posted Feb 7th 2011 01:00PM

Melissa Leo's role in 'The Fighter' has won her both rave reviews and an Academy Award nomination, but it seems that she feels the Oscar committee could use a little reminder when making their decision.

Despite already winning a Golden Globe award for the role, the 50-year-old actress, who stars in 'The Fighter' as the mother of Mark Wahlberg's title character, has posted a set of glamour shots on her website, www.MelissaLeo.com, simply captioned "consider."

Leo tells Deadline of her decision to post the photos, "I took matters into my own hands. I knew what I was doing and told my representation how earnest I was about this idea. I had never heard of any actor taking out an ad as themselves and I wanted to give it a shot."

While actors have been criticized in the past for taking such self-promotional measures, Leo says that she is merely trying to gain recognition for her work, something that can be elusive for actresses above a certain age.

Leo has heard that the ads are getting some less than positive reviews, although she says that no one has been openly critical to her. "I heard there were negative comments, but no one said them to my face, sadly. I like to hear what people think. I could explain myself."

Fortunately for Leo, most of the response has been positive. "I did hear a lot of very positive comments," she says. "Particularly from women of a certain age who happen to act for a living and happen to understand full well the great dilemma and mystery of getting a cover of a magazine."

Do you think Leo made the wrong choice by making the ads?

Tags: melissa leo, primacy_movies

Comments

(2)

Monday 07 February

By laureenmt

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The photos are NOT on her website. She ran advertisements in Hollywood magazines. They can be seen by clicking on the Deadline link in the story. Low key -- just a photo and the word "Consider." She only did it after trying to get some buzz by being on the cover of an entertainment magazine, but no one wanted her. She is a great actress, and I hope she wins the award.

By Mark Will

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Though she hasn't a snowball's chance in Hell, my 'vote' always was w/Jacki Weaver.

I doubt that running the ads will hurt Melissa, who is certainly deserving of the recognition she will receive.

But perhaps 'Smurf' would say to her: "You've done some bad things, Sweetie!"

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