A long time ago, long before the word "Oscar" ever entered their lives, many of this year's nominees were appearing in minor roles on TV shows.
Before "Mad About You" made Helen Hunt a household name, she was a child actress who made serial guest star appearances on shows such as "Swiss Family Robinson," "The Bionic Woman" and "The Facts of Life." Bradley Cooper appeared in "Sex and the City" and was a series regular on "Alias." Most of this year's nominees got their start on TV, whether it was with regular roles like Sally Field in "Gidget" and "The Flying Nun" or as a serial guest star like Amy Adams or singing to children on "Sesame Street" like Alan Arkin.
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Click through the slideshow below to see clips.