Models for this giant were just 18 inches high…

2002 – Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind” opened wide on this day, two weeks after opening in limited release so as to be considered for the 2002 Academy Awards. Howard, a beloved child actor, earned his first Oscar nominations, for both directing and producing, and took home his only two statues thus far, finally earning him the respect he’d long deserved as a director. Russell Crowe earned his third Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of John ... more 

2002 – Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind” opened wide on this day, two weeks after opening in limited release so as to be considered for the 2002 Academy Awards. Howard, a beloved child actor, earned his first Oscar nominations, for both directing and producing, and took home his only two statues thus far, finally earning him the respect he’d long deserved as a director. Russell Crowe earned his third Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of John Nash, the brilliant mathematician who suffered from schizophrenia and depression. While the film received its share of controversy for glossing over many of the disreputable aspects of Nash’s life -- including reported political extremism, extra-marital affairs, and anti-Semitism -- none of that seemed to matter much on Oscar night as the film took home four statues including Best Picture.
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