The silent, black-and-white film "The Artist" led the race at the 84th annual Academy Awards on Sunday night in Hollywood, after winning five Oscars for best picture, best directing, best costume design, best original music score and best actor. 　　French actor Jean Dujardin, who barely made any sounds in "The Artist," was finally able to be loud as he accepts the gold statue as the best actor, beating out Brad Pitt and George Clooney for the award. 　　As predicted, director Michel Hazanavicius defeated Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen to snatch the best directing Academy Award. 　　Actress Meryl Streep added a third trophy to her collection of Oscars. Streep's remarkable performance as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady" earned her the best actress award. 　　Christopher Plummer, who became the oldest actor to win an Academy Award, was presented with the best supporting actor Oscar in "Beginners," while Octavia Spencer grabbed the best supporting actress Oscar for her role in "The Help." 　　Sandra Bullock went for a backless look in the black and white Marchesa dress. Gwyneth Paltrow wowed the crowd in an off-white Tom Ford ensemble with cape. 　　Angelina Jolie did what she does best, fearlessly posing in a thigh-high cut Versace dress. 　　Jennifer Lopez showed off her figure in a curve-hugging Zuhair Murad gown, while Cameron Diaz, who seemed to have color-coordinated with co-presenter Lopez, wore a shimmering flock by Gucci. 　　Natalie Portman accessorized her classic Dior dress with Harry Winston gems, and 　　Emma Stone decided to go scarlet with a Giambattista Valli dress. 　　Complementing her short haircut, Viola Davis chose an emerald green gown by Vera Wang, while Glenn Close picked a similar hue by designer Zac Posen.