Oscar voters swell by 120

Posted Thursday, July 6, 2006 at 4:36 PM Central

by John Couture

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 120 Hollywood personalities to join its voting block. Among other things, membership allows the individuals to vote for the Oscars, the most prestigious awards show in Hollywood.

Among the new invitees were a couple of cowboys (Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal), a country crooner (Dolly Parton), a kid (Dakota Fanning) and a desperate housewife (Felicity Huffman).

Each year, the Academy selects new members to replace ones that retire or die in the previous year.