Matthew McConaughey

• Birth date: 1969
  

LOS ANGELES — Perhaps atoning for past sins, Hollywood named the brutal, unshrinking historical drama “12 Years a Slave” best picture at the 86th annual Academy Awards.

LOS ANGELES — Matthew McConaughey has won the Academy Award for best actor for his performance as a desperate and determined AIDS patient in “Dallas Buyers Club.”

LOS ANGELES — David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” has won the Screen Actors Guild award for outstanding cast, setting up the con-artist comedy as the film to beat at the Academy Awards.

Amy Poehler made out with Bono, Tina Fey mocked George Clooney’s taste in women and Matt Damon emerged, bizarrely, as the night’s recurring gag.

LOS ANGELES — In 1986, Texan Ron Woodroof was diagnosed with HIV and given 30 days to live. When receiving the news, the rodeo-lover argued with the doctor, saying only homosexuals got such a disease-and he was as straight as they came.

TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival greeted Matthew McConaughey with a rousing standing ovation for his performance in “Dallas Buyers Club.”