Ben Affleck with wife Jennifer Garner

Why did Ben Affleck get snubbed by the Academy for a chance at an Oscar for Best Director with 'Argo?'

The actor and director said he was ''disappointed'' not to be nominated for the Best Director Oscar - but understood the snub when he saw who else had failed to make the shortlist.

Affleck - whose movie 'Argo' picked up the Best Picture prize at last night's ceremony - quickly accepted he was not ''entitled'' to the honour, but admits he was upset when the nominations were first announced.

He said: ''Naturally I was disappointed, but when I look at the directors who weren't nominated, Paul Thomas Anderson or Kathryn Bigelow - who's just amazing - Tom Hooper, Quentin Tarantino, these are all directors who I admire enormously. It was just a very tough year.

''You know what? You're not entitled to anything.''

And Ben - who was in the audience to see 'Life of Pi' filmmaker Ang Lee pick up the best Director trophy - admitted he just felt ''honoured'' to be at the ceremony, particularly after scooping Best Picture.

He added backstage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles: ''I'm honoured to be here, I'm honoured to be among these extraordinary movies, and I'm really, really honoured to win an Academy Award.''

Argo also triumphed in the 'Best Adapted Screenplay' and 'Best Editing' categories.

© Bang Showbiz