Where the Stars Stash Their Statues: Homes of Academy Award Nomi - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

The movers and shakers of the movie-making industry have checked off most of the red-carpet events this awards' season: Critics' Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Golden Globes. Next up? The granddaddy of ‘em all: The Academy Awards.

This year, "The Oscars" will be broadcast live Sunday, Feb. 26 (ABC, 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST.)  And while the media is abuzz with predictions of who'll win and what they'll wear, we are more interested in the homes where this year's potential winners will stash their golden statues.

Best Picture

Source: IMDb

Steven Spielberg, "War Horse"

As far as famous producers and directors go, Steven Spielberg tops the list. The Best Picture nomination for "War Horse," which he co-produced, is just another notch in the belt of the prolific director. He has won three Academy Awards and has been nominated for Best Picture and Best Director over 10 times.

When Spielberg isn't directing or producing his blockbusters, he splits time between his homes in Pacific Palisades, the Hamptons and Malibu. Unlike other celebrities, the director isn't one to buy and sell properties on a whim; most of his homes he's owned for over 20 years.

His Malibu home (above), in particular, is a spectacular ocean-side property he bought in 1989 for $3,375,033. The 7,000+-square-foot-home, pictured above, sits on nearly an acre of beachfront property and has 7 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and the must-have celebrity amenities like an in-ground pool.

Actor in Leading Role

Source: IMDb

Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

Although Brad Pitt has been nominated three times previously for an Oscar, the actor has yet to take home a gold statuette. Could the fourth time be the charm?

If Pitt does take home an Oscar, chances are he won't be stashing it in a home in the U.S. Pitt and his leading woman, Angelina Jolie, as well as their six kids, spend most of their time abroad, specifically in a rental home in southern France. They also own multimillion-dollar homes in Cambodia, and Berlin in addition to homes in New Orleans, and L.A. Pitt also previously owned a home in Malibu he purchased shortly after his divorce to Jennifer Aniston in 2005.

A self-professed architecture buff, Pitt spent months renovating the mid-century modern, pictured above. Although the home has 4,088 square feet of living space with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, it was on the small side for the 8-person Jolie-Pitt clan. Pitt sold the prime piece of Malibu real estate to Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi in December 2011.

Source: IMDb

George Clooney, "The Descendants"

Although he's one of the most recognizable faces on the big screen, Clooney spent the early part of his career in bit roles on TV shows until he hit international stardom with his role of Dr. Ross on "ER" in 1994. He made the switch to movies in the late 1990s and added directing, producing and screenwriting to his repertoire. This Oscar season, he's not only nominated for Best Actor, but also Best Writing, Adapted Screen Play for  "Ides of March."

Clooney purchased his home in Studio City at the beginning of his success on "ER," in 1995. The sprawling Studio City home sits on over 3 acres below a nature preserve. The 8-bedroom, mock-Tudor house has a pool and tennis courts. Clooney also owns a home in Laglio, Italy on Lake Como — and it's often there he meets up with fellow actor and good friend Brad Pitt.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Source: IMDb

Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"

Although Jonah Hill became famous for his roles in comedy films, this Oscar nomination is for his first dramatic performance in "Moneyball." The actor has had his hand in many projects that called on his many talents, ranging from directing, writing, and producing.

Jonah Hill's home is located in the Los Angeles suburb of Tarzana and was listed as a "natural entertainer's estate" featuring party-friendly amenities like a pool and spa, endless patios, tennis and bocce ball court. This isn't Hill's first foray into real estate; he sold a Hollywood condo in 2008 for $835,000 and still owns a home on Mulholland Drive.

Actress in a Leading Role

Source: IMDb

Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"

Glenn Close began her acting career on Broadway and didn't break into the film industry until she was 35 with her role in "The World According to Garp" alongside Robin Williams. The Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe-award winning actress has yet to win an Oscar, but her nomination for Albert Nobbs is her sixth nomination.

Born and raised in Greenwich, CT, Close spends her time on the East Coast in both Manhattan, and Bedford Hills, NY.

Her Bedford Hills estate, pictured above, sits on 10 acres. Just north of Manhattan, the hills of Westchester County, and in particular,  Bedford real estate, is appealing to many celebrities. Close can count Martha Stewart, Ralph Lauren and celeb couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones among her Bedford Hills neighbors.

Source: IMDb

Viola Davis, "The Help"

Like Close, Viola Davis rose to prominence with roles on the stage and has two Tony awards to her name. Since her move to the big screen, she's been nominated for numerous awards, including best supporting actress for her role in "Doubt."

Davis purchased a suburban home in Granada Hills, CA, pictured above, in 2005 with her husband Julius Tennon. The 5-bedroom, 5-bath home sits on a quarter acre with 3,917 square feet of living space.

Source: IMDb

Michelle Williams, "My Week with Marilyn"

Michelle Williams first swept audiences and critics off their feet with her performance in the 2005 film, "Brokeback Mountain," for which she earned her first Academy Award nomination. Her role opposite Ryan Gosling in the romantic drama "Blue Valentine" caught critics' eye, too, nabbing her both a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She earned both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for her role as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn," for which she already picked up the Golden Globe.

Williams spends her time off the big screen with her daughter, Matilda Rose, in their cozy, 4-floor house in Brooklyn, NY (pictured above). Williams' slice of Brooklyn real estate was purchased with late actor and ex-fiance, Heath Ledger, in 2005 for a reported $3.6 million. Ledger, also Matilda's father, passed away from a reported drug overdose in January 2008.

Source: IMDb

Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"

After performing for 10 years as a stand-up comedienne, Melissa McCarthy made her big break into acting in a supporting role on TV's popular show" Gilmore Girls." She then took first billing in the TV show "Mike & Molly," for which she received an Emmy award. Her role in the comedy "Bridesmaids" is her first Oscar nomination.

McCarthy and husband fellow actor and writer Ben Falcone purchased a modest (by celebrity real estate standards) Toluca Lake home, above, for $780,000 in 2009. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is only minutes from network studios,making it an easy commute for both McCarthy and Falcone.