Oscars 2014: Matthew McConaughey, Cate Blanchett take home awards, '12 Years a Slave' wins big prize
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“Gravity” was the big winner with seven Oscars at the 86th annual Academy Awards, but it was host Ellen DeGeneres that won over the A-list audience with her family-friendly quips, even going so far as to pass out pizza to the pretty people in attendance.
“12 Years a Slave” won the night's biggest prize for best picture, but it was “Gravity” that took home the most awards, grabbing all the technical awards, including best visual effects and sound editing.
Alfonso Cuaron also won best director for the Sandra Bullock-starring film.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Click here for the complete list of winners
Jared Leto was the night's first acting winner, taking home the prize for best supporting actor for “Dallas Buyers Club.”
The best supporting actress award went to a teary Lupita Nyong'o for her performance in "12 Years a Slave," and in an emotional speech she thanked her family and friends.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The best actress trophy went to Cate Blanchett for “Blue Jasmine” while the best actor award went to Matthew McConaughey for “Dallas Buyers Club.”
DeGeneres kicked off the ceremony poking fun at Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, June Squibb and Bruce Dern. Later, she took a packed selfie with stars like Brad Pitt, Leto, Nyong'o and Meryl Streep.
When Lawrence hit the carpet and waved to fans, she collapsed in a heap of laughter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"If you win tonight, I think we should bring you the Oscar," said DeGeneres to Lawrence, nominated for her performance in "American Hustle."
Though the Oscar ceremony is usually a glitzy bubble separate from real-world happenings, international events were immediately referenced. In his acceptance speech, Leto addressed people in Ukraine and Venezuela.
"We are here and as you struggle to make your dreams happen, to live the impossible, we're thinking of you," said Leto.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DeGeneres gently mocked Hollywood's insularity, referring to the headlines that have swamped the Los Angeles area lately with a slightly less serious news event.
"It has been raining," said DeGeneres. "We're fine. Thank you for your prayers."
Though the ceremony lacked a big opening number, it had a musical beat to it. To a standing ovation, Bono and U2 performed an acoustic version of "Ordinary Love," their Oscar-nominated song from "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," a tune penned in tribute to the late South African leader Nelson Mandela. Singing his nominated "Happy" from "Despicable Me 2," Pharrell Williams had Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio dancing in the aisles. Pink was cheered for her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," part of a 75th anniversary tribute to "The Wizard of Oz."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Best documentary went to the crowd-pleasing backup singer ode "20 Feet From Stardom." One of its stars, Darlene Love, accepted the award singing the gospel tune "His Eye Is on the Sparrow": "I sing because I'm happy/ I sing because I'm free."
Disney's global hit "Frozen" won best animated film, marking — somewhat remarkably — the studio's first win in the 14 years of the best animated feature category. (Pixar, which Disney owns, has regularly dominated.) With box-office that recently passed $1 billion globally, the film was sure to be the biggest hit to take home an Oscar on Sunday.
"We're all just trying to make films that touch people," said co-director Chris Buck backstage. "Once in a while, you get lucky."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press contributed to this report.