Zarqawi also played a pivotal, if curious role, in the US decision to invade Iraq.

Prince maintained access to the White House, playing a curious role of unofficial emissary and adviser.

What irks Mr. Byrne the most, however, is the curious role of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Nor was he less esteemed in the Corps Legislatif, where he assumed the curious role of a working member until committees fought for him.

In the past, the Academy has often tried to right its past wrongs by suddenly, bizarrely, giving Oscars for curious roles.