Oscar nominations: Here are the 9 most prominent nominees with NYC ties

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This year's Oscar nominations were announced Thursday, and one thing's for sure: New York City is represented in a huge way.

The city has consistently had a strong showing at the Oscars, and this year is no different. Classic New York personalities such as Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Robert De Niro got nods, in addition less-known New Yorkers such as Benh Zeitlin.

Here's a look at the 10 most prominent nominees with New York connections:

Robert De Niro, Best Supporting Actor, "Silver Linings Playbook"

His iconic roles in "Mean Streets," "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas" cemented De Niro's identity with the city. Born in Manhattan, De Niro is New York to the core, and few actors are more associated with New York than him.

Benh Zeitlin, Best Director, "Beasts of the Southern Wild"

Born in Manhattan and raised in Sunnyside, this rising star nabbed the honor of Breakthrough Director at the city's annual Gotham Independent Film Awards last year.

Jessica Chastain, Best Actress, "Zero Dark Thirty"

One of the year's most buzzed-about actresses graduated from New York's Juliard School in 2003. She currently lives in NoHo with her dog Chaplin, whom she enjoys walking up to Washington Square Park, the actress recently told The Wall Street Journal.

Anne Hathaway, Best Supporting Actress, "Les Miserables"

Another New York native, Hathaway was born in Brooklyn, where she lived until her family moved to New Jersey when she was 6. Her role in "The Devil Wears Prada," which takes place in the city, launched her to superstardom, and she hasn't looked back.

"I'm an actor and my dreams came true, when the hell does that ever happen?!?" Hathaway said of the awards circuit. "So I'm really enjoying it and I feel very, very grateful and very lucky that my life is in such a good place so I can enjoy it."

Alan Arkin, Best Supporting Actor, "Argo"

Arkin was born in Brooklyn, where he lived until his family moved to Los Angeles when he was 11. In 1971, he directed a film called "Little Murders," which was set in New York, and he has also won a Tony Award for his starring role in Broadway's "Enter Laughing."

Tony Kushner, Best Adapted Screenplay, "Lincoln"

A New York native, Kushner was born in Manhattan. He moved away shortly after his birth, but return for his education, earning degrees from both Columbia and NYU, followed by an honorary doctorate from SUNY-Purchase. His best-known work, "Angels in America," takes place in New York, and he currently lives in Manhattan with his husband, Mark Harris.

Kushner said he was on a plane waiting to take off Thursday when he got the news of his nomination.

"James Gandolfini, who's sitting in front of me, gave me a hug and a kiss, so I'm about as happy as can be," he said.

Naomi Watts, Best Actress, "The Impossible"

The English Watts reportedly shares a Tribeca home with Liev Schreiber, who she has been in a relationship with since 2005. The couple purchased the space on Washington Street in January 2012, according to Curbed.

"I am so thrilled and humbled with this morning's wonderful news," Watts said after learning of her nomination. "The journey of telling Maria Belon's miraculous story of survival has been an incredible experience and I am so grateful for this acknowledgement of our film. I am truly honored."

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Best Supporting Actor, "The Master"

The ultimate city actor, Hoffman is pure New York: He has a place in the village, he's a staple of the city's theater scene. He graduated from NYU in 1989, where he was a founding member of a theater company with Bennett Miller, and Hoffman sightings are still one of the major events for NYU students.

Hugh Jackman, Best Actor, "Les Miserbles"

Jackman is a regular in the city's theater scene, having played in his self-titled one-man show. He he won a Tony in 2004 for his role in "The Boy from Oz," and when he's not in Australia, the actor lives here in the city.

"To be honest, it's very exciting but all a bit surreal and hasn't fully sunk in yet," Jackman said of his nomination, adding "to be an actual nominee is something I never would have dreamed possible."

(with Reuters and Elisa DiStefano/News 12)

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