The Oscars are right around the corner and many actors are hoping to secure a slot as one of the five nominees for Best Supporting Actor at the 2014 Academy Awards.

Surprisingly, many of the best supporting performances this year come from Hollywood's leading men. Michael Fassbender is one of the leading contenders for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a slaveholder in 12 Years a Slave. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tom Hanks is a frontrunner for his portrayal of Walt Disney in Saving Mr. Banks.

Jared Leto is getting rave reviews for his performance as a transgender person in Dallas Buyers Club. Relative unknown Barkhad Abdi is receiving special mention from many critics for his portrayal of a Somalian pirate in Captain Phillips.

Though it is thus far unseen, Jonah Hill is getting a lot of buzz for his juicy role in The Wolf of Wall Street, as is Bradley Cooper in American Hustle. 

Other contenders expected to potentially be in the Oscar race for Best Supporting Actor this year are Daniel Brühl for Rush, John Goodman for Inside Llewyn Davis, George Clooney for Gravity and the late James Gandolfini for Enough Said.

Here are the 10 contenders for Best Supporting Actor this year: