Watch Asia Make its Mark at the Oscars, Past and Present

The party is over, awards season is done, and who should come out on top, but a director from Taiwan and a film about a covert rescue operation in 1970s Iran. Ang Lee's win came as a suprise over odds-on favorite Steven Spielberg, while Argo stood against tough competition from eight other films, including Lee's Life of Pi.

The Asian influence is not lost on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, nor should it be lost on the Oscar audience. From films that swept the categories, like Slumdog Millionaire and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, to actors who you may or may not have realized have roots in Asia, like Sir Ben Kingsley, who has an Indian father, or Yul Brynner, who has a blend of Mongolian and Russian heritage, each acheivement has put an Asian stamp on a very American tradition.

Below are some of the tremendous talents accepting their Asia-related Academy Awards.

Ang Lee wins Best Director for Life of Pi in 2013.

Ben Affleck accepts Best Picture for Argo in 2013.

Asia Society Asia 21 Fellow Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy wins Best Documentary Short Subject for Saving Face in 2012.

Yul Brynner wins Best Actor for The King and I in 1957.

Miyoshi Ukemi wins Best Supporting Actress for Sayonara in 1958.

Sir Ben Kingsley win Best Actor for Gandhi in 1982.

Dr. Haing S Ngor wins Best Supporting Actor for The Killing Fields in 1985.

A.R. Rahman wins Best Original Score for Slumdog Millionaire in 2009.