Iraq war drama 'The Hurt Locker', Quentin Tarantino's holocaust story 'Inglorious Basterds' and the country biopic 'Crazy Heart' were the early winners at the 82nd Academy Awards here

The first award of the night went to Austrian actor Christoph Waltz in the best supporting actor category for his villainous role as Nazi officer Hans Landa in the World War II drama. It is the first Oscar for the 53-year-old was presented the award by Penelope Cruz. 'Crazy Heart' registered its first victory in the best original song category for 'The Weary King (Theme from Crazy Heart). While 'The Hurt Locker', which has nine nominations, won in the category of best original screenplay.

The award went to Mark Baol. Disney-Pixar's film 'Up', which is also nominated for the best picture, won the Oscar for the best animation film. While the award for Best make-up went to 'Star Trek's Barney Burman. The award was present to Burman by Ben Stiller, who was dressed as 'Na'vi, from 'Avatar'. The Hollywood extravaganza got under way with a formal introduction of the 10 nominees in the best actor and actress categories before 'How I Met Your Mother' star Neil Patrick Harris led off a song and dance routine. It was followed by the introduction of show hosts Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, who warmed up the star-studded audience with an opening double act by cracking jokes at the nominees including Meryl Streep.

"Meryl Streep holds the record for most nominations or as I like to put it, most losses," Martin quipped. The comedian also took a pot shot at 'The Hurt Locker' director Kathryn Bigelow, who is nominated for best director alongside ex-husband James Cameron. "She was so pleased to be nominated with (Cameron) she sent him a gift basket with a timer," Martin said. "He reciprocated by sending her a Toyota," Baldwin added.