Veteran actor Richard Jenkins shares Oscar's glow

You've seen Richard Jenkins. He was the dead patriarch on HBO's "Six Feet Under" and the beleaguered gym director in 2008's "Burn After Reading." He's played lots of dads ("Step Brothers," "Rumor Has It," "North Country"), cops ("The Mod Squad," "Me, Myself and Irene") and scores of other supporting characters during his 25 years in film.

Now, with his first leading role, Jenkins is an Oscar nominee.

"It's unbelievable," said the 61-year-old actor, sitting in the lobby of his favorite hotel. "This happens to other people, not to me."

Jenkins caught the eye …