Everyone loved him because he was adorable, lots of fun, a true musician in the best sense...

NPR: Johnny Griffin: In Memoriam

He was a true musician!

NPR: Literature and Lullabies from the 'Axis of Evil'

In addition to the Oscar bid, Polanski has a Directors Guild nomination for "The Pianist, " based on the true story of a Jewish musician hiding from Nazis in the ruins of Poland.

CNN: Polanski remains fugitive from U.S. law

Brody, who portrayed Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman in "The Pianist, " the true story of a musician in a Warsaw ripped apart by World War II and the Holocaust, beat competition including Jack Nicholson, Daniel Day-Lewis, Michael Caine and Nicolas Cage.

CNN: 'Chicago' triumphs at Oscars