Justin Henry was only 8 years old when nominated for an Oscar for starring in best picture winner "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979) as the angel-faced kid whose life became hellish when mommy and daddy suddenly got divorced. He had no prior acting experience when he got an audition for the role thanks to being spotted by a neighbor who was a casting agent. Selection came down to a choice between two boys; he got the part because he looked more like the movie's mommy (Meryl Streep).

Little Justin was the hoot of awards season once the derby started. When he lost the Golden Globe for best newcomer to "The Champ" star Ricky Schroder, he burst into tears at the ceremony and "just went crazy and threw a royal fit," reported the Philadelphia Journal. The audience howled with laughter.

Meantime, Ricky accepted the trophy like a real champ, saying graciously, "Even if you didn't vote for me, I still love you." At age 9, Ricky became the Globes' youngest winner, a distinction he still holds today.

When Justin arrived at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the Oscars, he told Variety's Army Archerd that he had an acceptance speech prepared. He was pitted against the oldest nominee, Melvyn Douglas ("Being There"), age 78, who refused to be there, growling to reporters, "The whole thing is absurd, my competing with an eight-year-old!"

Later that night, when the absent Douglas won, Oscarcast cameras zoomed in to catch Justin's reaction. He kept quiet, but gave an expression of outrage, as if restraining a shriek of "I can't believe it!"

Dustin Hoffman chuckled about it when he won best actor and referred to Justin, saying, "If he loses again, we'll have to give him a lifetime achievement award."

Afterward, Justin starred in "Sixteen Candles" on film and "Andersonville Trial" and some episodes of "E.R." on TV. IMDB.com lists his last credit as an episode of "Lost" in 2004.

Justin's "Kramer vs. Kramer" co-star Streep is still in the Oscar game now as a best-actress nominee for "The Devil Wears Prada." "Kramer" was nominated against "Breaking Away" for best picture at the Oscars and Globes back in 1979 — its young star Jackie Earle Haley is having a major Oscar comeback this year, nominated for best supporting actor in "Little Children."

Photos: Justin Henry with Dustin Hoffman in "Kramer vs. Kramer." How he looked last month arriving at a TV Guide party.
(Columbia Pictures Wir Image)