Christian Bale Tears Up After Best Supporting Actor Oscar Win

As the Dark Knight, Christian Bale has faced the Scarecrow's fear gas, the Joker's anarchy and Two-Face's betrayal. Who would have thought it would be a foot-tall opponent named Oscar who finally made him cry?

A triumphant Bale fought back tears after winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Dicky Eklund in "The Fighter" at the Oscars on Sunday night (February 27). It was the 37-year-old's first nomination and first Academy Award.

"I didn't think I was like this," Bale said, a lump in his throat. "[Thanks to] my wonderful wife and our little girl, who's taught me so much more than I'll ever be able to teach her."

For Bale, it was an uncommonly sentimental ending to a speech that began with good humor and a few laughs.

"What a room full of talented and inspirational people," Bale said when he first took the stage. "What am I doing here?"

The Hollywood veteran and star of the upcoming "The Dark Knight Rises" even managed to good-naturedly refer to his infamous rant on the set of "Terminator: Salvation," where he was caught on tape yelling profanity-laden tirades at a member of the crew.

"I'm not gonna drop the F-bomb like [co-star and Best Supporting Actress winner] Melissa Leo did," Bale joked. "I've done that plenty!"

While thanking director David O. Russell and co-stars Leo, Amy Adams and Mark Wahlberg, it was for Eklund that Bale saved his most fervent praise and gratitude, even managing to insert a plug for the Pride of Lowell's website.

"Where's my quacker?" Bale asked, scanning the crowd for Dicky, who stood to feverous applause from the crowd. "Hey, mate, you're the best! He's had a wonderful story, and I can't wait to see the next chapter. If you want to be a champ, go train with him! Check him out, he deserves it!"