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First-time nominee Barkhad Abdi, 28, portrays the Somali pirate Muse alongside previous Oscar-winner Tom Hanks. He told Reuters Television "this is the highlight of my life."

Abdi, who recently won a BAFTA award (Britain's top movie honors) for his supporting role, is a newcomer to the film industry. He had worked the past year at his brother's mobile phone store in Minneapolis when he began production in British director Paul Greengrass' thriller "Captain Phillips."

"No matter how big you get, you should always work your hardest," said Abdi, referencing what he had learned working with actor Tom Hanks on set.