Somali Actor From Minnesota Nomicated For Oscar

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Somali actor from Minnesota who made his acting debut in the Tom Hanks' movie "Captain Phillips" has received an Oscar nomination for supporting actor.

Barkhad Abdi and three other amateur Somali actors from Minnesota portray pirates who hijack an American cargo ship off the Horn of Africa in 2009 and take its captain, played by Hanks, hostage. Abdi is the pirates' ringleader.

Appearing on NBC's Today show Thursday, Abdi said he was so excited about the imminent Oscar nominations that he couldn't sleep Wednesday night.

Abdi was also nominated for a Golden Globe, which was awarded to Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club.

Captain Phillips has also received Oscar nominations for best picture, best adapted screenplay, film editing, sound editing and sound mixing.

The Oscars will be held March 2.