LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 26, 2012) (A.M.P.A.S.) - Octavia Spencer won the Oscar for best supporting actress on Sunday(February 26) for her role as a sassy maid in "The Help".

Spencer, who was considered the favorite to win the Academy Award, plays an outspoken maid in the 1960s drama about African-Americans working for rich white families in Mississippi in the early years of the civil rights era.

Accepting her award, an overly emotional Spencer had to collect herself frequently.

"Thank you Academy for putting me with the hottest guy in the room," said Spencer, accepting her Oscar. "Please wrap up. I'm wrapping up, I'm sorry. I'm freaking out. Thank you world," she said, as the teleprompter pushed her to wrap her speech.

It was the first Oscar for the 39-year-old American actress, who had never been nominated previously for an Academy Award.