Best Actor Nominees

What the stars say...

From a disgraced United States President to a man who ages backwards, 2009's Best Actor category for the Academy Awards is especially riveting. And the nominees are... Brad Pitt, Frank Langella, Richard Jenkins, Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke. Most interesting, two of these actors have a predominance of Capricorn in their charts, which gives them a unique link to their characters. So let's take a peek at the cosmic connections of these five talented men.

Brad Pitt: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
With multiple placements in Capricorn, the sign of aging, Pitt was the perfect choice for a film about a man who is born old and grows younger as time goes on. Although Pitt is a Sagittarius, born on December 18, 1963, his Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars in Capricorn give him a practical, grounded nature that's unusual for a Fire sign. This earthy emphasis is mirrored in the slow pace of the film and the steady build-up of the story and characters. Even in the realm of fiction, surely Benjamin Button is a Capricorn, with his unshakably calm personality - not to mention his peculiar way of aging. Still, he does break away from home eventually to experience the world at large, which gives the film a Sagittarius flavor of adventure. This optimistic Sag element also gives the film a strangely uplifting tone and makes it a worthy contender for Best Picture.

Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
In a brilliant feat of casting, this Capricorn actor mirrors his Capricorn character, former U.S. President Richard Nixon. Such astrological ties can deepen, on an intuitive level, the actor's ability to portray a real-life person. It enabled Langella to "tune into" Nixon's ambitious, unethical character. As you undoubtedly know, Nixon resigned from office in 1974 after attempting to cover up multiple illegal activities attributed to his administration.

Born on January 1, 1938, Langella has Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus in Capricorn. Nixon had Sun, Mercury and Jupiter in Cap. Both men have the dignified, weighty persona of that sign, and perhaps the stubborn ambition as well. Langella is an accomplished stage and film actor, portraying such classic characters as Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. Very appropriate, since Capricorn is a traditional sign that rules the classics. What's more, a Mercury-Venus conjunction gives him an eloquent way of speaking that is so typical of stage actors. But with so much Earth, where's the imagination that makes for a talented artist? For Langella, Mars in whimsical Pisces energizes his artistry, while Saturn in Pisces heightens his drive toward accomplishment in the arts. And this accomplishment is certainly on display in Frost/Nixon, which is a Best Picture nominee.

Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
In The Visitor, Jenkins portrays a lonely economics professor whose life and identity are changed through some unlikely friendships. Like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, this film has a leisurely pace - quite fitting for its Earth-sign lead actor. Born on May 4, 1947, Jenkins has Sun and Mercury in Taurus, giving him a calm, sensual persona. He's practical and grounded and likes to be in control. That's especially true because of his Moon in Scorpio, the sign of power, sex and, well, death. Remember his role as the dad in HBO's Six Feet Under? He played an undertaker - as a ghost - for much of the series, no less. Very appropriate for a Scorpio-influenced actor. Scorpio also rules reclusiveness and transformation. This influence helps Jenkins portray a desolate character who undergoes some deep personal changes. On a lighter note, Venus and Mars in Aries give him a lively charisma and a need for lots of energy in relationships. Jenkins is married with two children. He and wife Sharon Frederick will celebrate their 40^th wedding anniversary this year.

Sean Penn - Milk
With an unconventional Sun-Uranus conjunction, this Academy Award-winning Leo knows how to portray a man with an alternative lifestyle. The film, which is also a Best Picture nominee, is the true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected politician in San Francisco who was later assassinated. Milk's Sun, Venus and Jupiter in Gemini connect with Penn's Mars in Gemini, the sign of communications and versatility. (Penn may also have Moon in Gemini, depending on his time of birth.) However, Penn, who was born on August 17, 1960, is a Leo through and through. It's the sign of the performer, after all. He's dynamic and creative. He's also a natural leader, which shows up in his talent for directing. And with Venus conjunct Pluto in Virgo, he's highly analytical and perfectionistic. With supreme attention to detail, he captured the essence of his real-life character.

Mickey Rourke - The Wresler
This troubled actor has staged one heck of a Hollywood comeback. After struggling with drugs, ego and a very bad attitude for many years, Rourke returned to the big screen just two years ago. Now starring in The Wrestler, which is a Best Picture contender as well, he plays a battered but sensitive wrestler trying to stage his own comeback. This may be a case of art imitating life. Born on September 16, 1952, Rourke has Sun and Mercury in Virgo and Moon in Leo. He's analytical, creative and proud. Rourke, who was a boxer before he took up acting, has Mars in fiery Sagittarius, the sign of the athlete. However, he's not just a fighter - with Venus, Saturn and Neptune in Libra, he has an artistic, sensitive side buried deep under a layer of angst - rather like his character. His fine acting skills are certainly the gift of Libra. Perhaps he'll eventually find the serenity and balance of Libra as well.