Richard Jenkins, still humble

 

No one would ever accuse Richard Jenkins of not being a humble guy. But his assessment of his place in the best actor Oscar race is damn harsh: "I don't have a chance."

That's what the veteran character actor and star of "The Visitor" deadpanned to David Letterman Tuesday night. He was kidding, sort of. The "Late Night" host had asked him about his competition, to which Jenkins said they're tough "physically and talent-wise." (He's in good company, of course, with Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke, Frank Langella and Brad Pitt).

He might not have been invited to the party at all if it wasn't for his son, who now works for Oscar vote tabulator Price Waterhouse Cooper. Jenkins said. "Nothing for 40 years in the business, then my son graduates from college, goes to work for Price Waterhouse and boom!"

Just kidding. Really this time.

He told the coffee klatch at "The View" Wednesday that he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders when the indie film screened at the Toronto Film Festival. "I was thinking, if this doesn't work, it's my fault," he said.

It did work, and due in no small part to him. 

Good to see Jenkins, a Gold Rush Q&A victim and early pick for an Oscar nod, getting some national face time for this role and for carrying the indie banner to the Oscars.