Eighty-four years ago, on May 16, 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences handed out the first round of Academy Awards at a dinner party at the Blossom Room of the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California. There were two hundred seventy people in attendance, and tickets cost no more than five dollars. The dinner was spearheaded by MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer, who believed there should be a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the film industry. At the ceremony, there were two special awards presented: The first, to Warner Bros. for producing the first ever “talkie,” “The Jazz Singer,” starring Al Jolson; and the second to Charlie Chaplin for his role in "The Circus." Since then, there have been countless milestones and enduring Oscar moments, but today, we’re looking back at our top five favorites.
Robert Opel, the infamous Oscar Streaker
The 46th Academy Awards ceremony, which aired April 2, 1974, was presented by John Huston, Diana Ross, Burt Reynolds, David Niven. The tremendously cool David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor, who was to present the Oscar for Best Picture, when Robert Opel — forever to be known as the Oscar Streaker — ran by, completely nude, and flashed a peace sign. Without missing a beat, Niven calmly remarked, “Ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen. But isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings.”
Sacheen Littlefeather
Sacheen Littlefeather accepted the Oscar for Best Actor on behalf of Marlon Brando for his performance in “The Godfather.” She delivered a speech Brando had written, informing the audience that the actor was boycotting the ceremony in protest of the treatment of Native Americans by the film industry. Though she wasn’t able to relay Brando’s full speech, she confirmed she would recite it in its entirety to the press after the ceremony.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay with “Good Will Hunting”
Never was an acceptance speech more genuine or heartwarming than when best friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon took center stage at the Academy Awards for their first time. The movie, which was nominated for nine Academy Awards, was written by Affleck and Damon, with Damon in the title role.
Kathryn Bigelow becomes the first woman to take home the Oscar for Directing
Director Kathryn Bigelow made history at the 82nd Academy Awards when she became the first woman to win Best Director. The award was for war film “The Hurt Locker,” which took home six Oscars that night.
Heath Ledger wins Best Supporting Actor for “The Dark Knight”
On January 22, 2008, Australian actor Heath Ledger was found deceased in his New York City apartment. Six months later, his penultimate film, Christopher Nolan’s ”The Dark Knight,” opened nationwide. Ledger’s performance as the criminal mastermind known as The Joker was harrowing; so harrowing, that at the 81st Academy Awards Ceremony, Ledger's family ascended the stage to accept the Supporting Actor Oscar on his behalf.
What did we miss? Let us know about your favorite Oscar memory in the comment section below.
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