Octavia Spencer has won the Oscar for best supporting actress at the Academy Award ceremony currently taking place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Spencer's film The Help was a significant commercial success, and she was considered the favourite for the award after winning both the Bafta and Golden Globe.

Spencer also saw off a strong field containing Bérénice Bejo, Melissa McCarthy and Janet McTeer, as well as fellow The Help actor Jessica Chastain. This is the first time that Spencer has been nominated for an Oscar.

The Help, which sees Spencer play an outspoken African-American maid, has been heavily criticised for its simplistic view of the civil rights struggle in the early 60s, but critics have also acknowledged the fine performances of its ensemble cast.