Cotillard and Cohen invited to become Oscar voters

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - A diverse group of actors -- including French Oscar winner Marion Cotillard and "Borat" star Sacha Baron Cohen -- have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Academy said on Monday it issued invitations to 105 luminaries. Other notable names include Oscar-winning "Juno" screenwriter Diablo Cody, the film's director Jason Reitman, Ruby Dee, Josh Brolin, Allison Janney, Jet Li and Ray Winstone.

Each year, in order to replenish its ranks as members die or opt for nonvoting status, the 15 branches of the Academy endorse new candidates.

Under a membership policy adopted in 2004, the Academy has slowed growth in its ranks, which number just below the 6,000 mark. This year, the Academy could have sought out as many as 137 new members, but the branches chose to be more selective than that.

Cotillard won an Oscar this year for playing Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose." Reitman and Dee were also nominated this year, and Cohen was nominated last year for writing "Borat."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter