Oscar nominations: After ‘Social Network’ accolades are over, Jesse Eisenberg will still have his cats

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When asked about their feelings upon finding out they’ve been nominated for an Academy Award, many actors use words like “excited” and “honored.” But Jesse Eisenberg, who grabbed a best lead actor nomination for his role as the socially awkward Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network,” said Tuesday morning he was feeling “all right” and “strange.”

“I’m trying to –- OK –- to think of how to phrase it,” Eisenberg said, perhaps channeling a bit of Zuckerberg. “A very strange experience. The movie has received such high praise for the last several months. This is just another overwhelming culmination. In many ways this is a culmination.”

“The Social Network” was nominated in eight categories, including best picture and best director. But Eisenberg’s fellow cast member Andrew Garfield was overlooked.

“Andrew and the entire cast were so incredible to work with. This is truly an ensemble film,” Eisenberg said. “Anytime I receive any acknowledgment, I am aware how impossible it would have been to achieve without the cast and especially Andrew. That’s how everybody thinks.”

As for what he plans to do after all the Oscar hoopla is over on Feb. 27, Eisenberg revealed some big plans.

“I’m taking it in as though I’ll never see any of these people again. We’ll have this shared experience,” he said. “And then I’ll go back to my cats.”

--Chris Lee