Angelina Jolie's right leg an instant web celeb

Los Angeles: Angelina Jolie's bare leg led to many post-Oscar jokes, but by Tuesday it had kicked back at critics and become an Internet celebrity in its own right followed by thousands.

Jolie, accustomed to having the spotlight on her and perhaps not her appendage, attended the Oscars on Sunday in a black Atelier Versace dress with a daring slit.

The often serious actress playfully revealed her right leg onstage leading many to question her motivation for the daring pose.

French silent film 'The Artist' and period film 'Hugo' became the big winners at the star-studded 84th Academy Awards ceremony here as they walked away with five honours each.

Meryl Streep, right, poses with presenter Colin Firth and her award for best actress for 'The Iron Lady' during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Jean Dujardin, winner of the best actor award for his role in the film "The Artist", kisses his Oscar after it was engraved at the Governor's Ball for the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Actress Angelina Jolie poses at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Uggie the dog, from the film 'The Artist' sits up in the press room during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Best actress Meryl Streep, left, for "The Iron Lady" and best actor Jean Dujardin for "The Artist" pose with their awards during the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, carrying an urn with an image of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, arrives in character from his upcoming film 'The Dictator' at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Best Actor winner Jean Dujardin kisses Uggie the dog after 'The Artist' won the for Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn
French Director Michel Hazanavicius kisses his wife Berenice Bejo after 'The Artist' won for Best Picture at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn
Composer AR Rahman arrives before the 84th Academy Awards, February 26, 2012, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Presenters Rose Byrne (L) and Melissa McCarthy play a drinking game where every time they hear Scorcese, they have to drink, on stage at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn
Christopher Plummer poses with his award for best supporting actor for 'Beginners' during the 84th Academy Awards in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)
Tate Taylor, director of 'The Help' and Octavia Spencer, winner of the award for Best Supporting Actress, receive candy and popcorn during a break in the telecast at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn
Actress Angelina Jolie walks on stage as she presents the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn
French Actor Jean Dujardin, best actor nominee for his role in "The Artist," is kissed by his wife Alexandra Lamy on the red carpet at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, in character from his upcoming film 'The Dictator' and carrying urn with an image of Kim Jong - Il, arrives at the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 26, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

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$Angelina Jolie\'s right leg an instant web celeb$

Jolie playfully revealed her right leg onstage leading many to question her motivation for the daring pose.

Denise Warner, executive editor of HollywoodLife.com, speculated that it might have been an inside joke between her and companion Brad Pitt who was sitting in the front row.

'We dont see (Angelinas) sexy side, even though shes incredibly sexy, shes never been so deliberate with her sexuality and that's why everyone's latched onto it. Especially now that shes a mother and she tries to be more reserved. This was completely out of character for her,' said Warner.

Regardless of why Jolie did it, within minutes of the legs appearance - which was imitated by 'The Descendants' writer Jim Rash as he accepted his Oscar from the actress - the twitter handle @AngiesRightLeg popped up and quickly amassed a few thousand followers.

As of Tuesday, more than 34,000 followers including celebrities such as Rob Lowe, were drawn to the parody account, which posts quips such as 'Look at the leg!' and 'You have to admit Im one hell of a leg.'

Jolies right leg surpassed rival parody account @JLosNipple, which currently has 4900 followers and appeared right after singer Jennifer Lopez took to the Oscars stage in a dress with a risqu plunging neckline.

It sparked a debate that the singer had a near wardrobe malfunction on stage. But there was no argument over whether Jolies display was all skin, and the appendage soon went viral.

Social media aggregator Buzzfeed set up a page dedicated to users 'legbombing,' which is uploading a picture then imposing a cutout of Jolies leg into it at odd angles.

Internet memes imitating the actress and her leg circulated social media sites through Tuesday, following on the recent viral phenomenon of New York Knicks basketball player Jeremy Lin, who became a hot meme trend as fans devised nicknames for him including 'Linsanity,' 'Linning' and 'Linfatuation.'

Even TV shows jumped in, with the female hosts of CBS chat show 'The Talk' all baring their legs on Mondays episode, while Jolies now-famous limb legbombed the 'Today Show' on Tuesday.

While @AngiesRightLeg is still going strong, it is likely to be a short-lived trend as the Oscars fade from memory in the next week. But the picture will probably go down as one of the Oscars memorable moments.

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