When handicapping the Oscars, pundits scrutinize all kinds of statistics — such as previous nominations, how the contenders are perceived and the type of role they play — for clues. So we couldn’t resist looking at the actors vying for awards glory in this year’s race to see how the veterans stack up against the data and the fresh faces looking to break in.
Best Actor
Returning Champs
Leonardo DiCaprio
“One Battle After Another”
STATS Oscar winner for 2015’s “The Revenant,” seven-time nominee
ADVANTAGES He’s the star of the presumed front-running best picture candidate and he gets to run the gamut of emotions from love to desperation and even throws in some slapstick comedy as a former revolutionary called back in action when his daughter is put in danger.
George Clooney
“Jay Kelly

VARIETY Film

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