Sidney Poitier makes Oscars history as the first Black actor to win Best Actor in 1964.Photo: Gene Lester/Getty
And theOscarmoment goes to …
Since the very first golden statuettes were handed out on May 16, 1929, the Academy Awards have stood as a beacon of Hollywood success, honoring the finest in entertainment while also becoming spectacles in their own right. And year after year, the Oscars deliver a variety of stellar moments that keep us gasping or applauding long after the credits roll.
Below, revisit some of the most legendary moments that have occurred on the Oscars stage.
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2023: Michelle Yeoh Breaks Ground
Michelle Yeoh.PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty
During her acceptance speech, the Malaysian-born stardelivered a powerful message: “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that, dream big, and dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime.”
“Thank you! Thank you to the Academy, this is history in the making,” she concluded.
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2022: Will Smith Smacks Chris Rock
Will Smith strikes Chris Rock.Neilson Barnard/Getty
No one could have ever expected the introduction to the Best Documentary Feature award would provoke one of the most disorienting moments in Academy Awards history.
The next day,Will apologized for the altercation. “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive,” he acknowledged. “My behavior … was unacceptable and inexcusable.”
Will continued, “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line, and I was wrong. I am embarrassed, and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.”
Nearly two weeks later, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencesformally banned the actorfrom attending any Academy events, including the Oscars, for 10 years.
Later, in November 2022, during an appearance onThe Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Will spoke about the moment,admitting that he “lost it"while suggesting that there are “many nuances and complexities to it.”
“I guess what I would say, you just never know what somebody’s going through,” he said before adding, “And I was going through something that night. Not that that justifies my behavior at all.”
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2020: Bong Joon Ho Wins Four Oscars
Bong Joon Ho with two of his four Oscars forParasite.Jennifer Graylock/PA Images/Getty
Earlier in the evening, the filmmaker also wonBest Original Screenplay(shared with Han Jin-won),Best International Feature FilmandBest Director. All of this, mind you, was in the first year South Korea had ever received an Oscar nomination — more specifically, six of them.
04of 292019: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper Perform Intimate DuetLady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform “Shallow”.Ed Herrera/GettyAin’t it hard keeping it so hardcore? Not for these two.Bradley CooperandLady Gagashared a loving look and a heart-fluttering embrace at the end of theirhotly anticipated duet of “Shallow.” The song had already swept awards season leading up to itsvictory in the Best Original Song category, and thesoundtrack forA Star Is Born(2018) would continue winning accolades into 2020.
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2019: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper Perform Intimate Duet
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform “Shallow”.Ed Herrera/Getty
Ain’t it hard keeping it so hardcore? Not for these two.
Bradley CooperandLady Gagashared a loving look and a heart-fluttering embrace at the end of theirhotly anticipated duet of “Shallow.” The song had already swept awards season leading up to itsvictory in the Best Original Song category, and thesoundtrack forA Star Is Born(2018) would continue winning accolades into 2020.
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Oscars audience reacts to theLa La Land/MoonlightBest Picture mishap.Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
Shock swept the auditorium — and was written all over the faces of attendees — whenLa La Land(2017) producer Jordan Horowitz had to interrupt the film’s Best Picture victory speech to announce the musical hadn’t actually won the night’s top prize.
Just moments before, there had been amix-up with the envelopesthat confused presentersWarren BeattyandFaye Dunaway, who called outLa La Landinstead of the rightful winner:Moonlight(2017). Horowitz had to assure the audience he was being completely serious and even showed the Best Picture card to the camera as he beckoned theMoonlightteam up to the stage. Attendees rose to their feet in support of the actual victors, with directorBarry Jenkins(who shared the Best Adapted Screenplay award with Tarell Alvin McCraney earlier in the night) joking, “Very clearly, even in my dreams, this could not be true. But to hell with dreams because thisistrue.”
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2014: Ellen DeGeneres Takes Iconic Selfie
Ellen’s famous Oscars selfie.Ellen DeGeneres/Twitter/Getty
07of 292013: Jennifer Lawrence Falls OnstageJennifer Lawrence.Kevin Winter/GettyJennifer Lawrence had an impressive run of four Oscar nods in six years from 2011 to 2016, but it’s safe to say she’ll never forgether first “trip” to the podiumto collect the Best Actress prize for her performance inSilver Linings Playbook(2012).
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2013: Jennifer Lawrence Falls Onstage
Jennifer Lawrence.Kevin Winter/Getty
Jennifer Lawrence had an impressive run of four Oscar nods in six years from 2011 to 2016, but it’s safe to say she’ll never forgether first “trip” to the podiumto collect the Best Actress prize for her performance inSilver Linings Playbook(2012).
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2010: Kathryn Bigelow Makes History
Kathryn Bigelow.Michael Caulfield/WireImage
Three years later, Bigelow would go on to be nominated for Best Picture for 2012’sZero Dark Thirty.
09of 292009: Heath Ledger Posthumously Wins an OscarHeath Ledger appears on screen in his role as the Joker.GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GettyHeath Ledger’sshocking death in January 2008came six months before one of his final films,The Dark Knight(2008), was released. His extraordinary turn asBatman’s nemesis, the Joker, in the blockbuster was critically acclaimed.At the 81st Academy Awards, Ledger was honored with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, becoming only the second actor to win posthumously after Peter Finch won Best Actor for 1976’sNetwork. Ledger’s mother, father and sister accepted the award on his behalf.
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2009: Heath Ledger Posthumously Wins an Oscar
Heath Ledger appears on screen in his role as the Joker.GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty
Heath Ledger’sshocking death in January 2008came six months before one of his final films,The Dark Knight(2008), was released. His extraordinary turn asBatman’s nemesis, the Joker, in the blockbuster was critically acclaimed.
At the 81st Academy Awards, Ledger was honored with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, becoming only the second actor to win posthumously after Peter Finch won Best Actor for 1976’sNetwork. Ledger’s mother, father and sister accepted the award on his behalf.
10of 292002: Halle Berry Makes HistoryHalle Berry.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GettyTears poured downHalle Berry’s face when shemade history as the first Black womanto win Best Actress. In anemotional speech, theMonster’s Ball(2001) star dedicated her victory to the actresses who paved the way for her in Hollywood, includingDorothy Dandridge,Lena HorneandDiahann Carroll, as well as her friends and mentors Jada Pinkett Smith,Angela Bassett,Vivica A. FoxandOprah Winfrey.
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2002: Halle Berry Makes History
Halle Berry.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty
Tears poured downHalle Berry’s face when shemade history as the first Black womanto win Best Actress. In anemotional speech, theMonster’s Ball(2001) star dedicated her victory to the actresses who paved the way for her in Hollywood, includingDorothy Dandridge,Lena HorneandDiahann Carroll, as well as her friends and mentors Jada Pinkett Smith,Angela Bassett,Vivica A. FoxandOprah Winfrey.
11of 292001: Björk Stuns in Swan DressBjörk.Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/GettyLove or loathe it,Björk’s iconic swan dress was an egg-cellent conversation starter. She was the talk of the 74th Academy Awards before she had even entered the building!
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2001: Björk Stuns in Swan Dress
Björk.Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty
Love or loathe it,Björk’s iconic swan dress was an egg-cellent conversation starter. She was the talk of the 74th Academy Awards before she had even entered the building!
12of 292000: Angelina Jolie Kisses Brother James Haven on Red CarpetAngelina Jolie and James Haven.Mediapunch/ShutterstockAngelina Joliealready had tongues wagging for her Morticia Addams-esque ensemble at the 72nd Academy Awards, but she really sent the rumor mill into overdrive when she shared an exuberant smack on the lips with brotherJames Havenbefore she walked to the stage to accept her Best Supporting Actress trophy forGirl, Interrupted(1999).
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2000: Angelina Jolie Kisses Brother James Haven on Red Carpet
Angelina Jolie and James Haven.Mediapunch/Shutterstock
Angelina Joliealready had tongues wagging for her Morticia Addams-esque ensemble at the 72nd Academy Awards, but she really sent the rumor mill into overdrive when she shared an exuberant smack on the lips with brotherJames Havenbefore she walked to the stage to accept her Best Supporting Actress trophy forGirl, Interrupted(1999).
13of 291999: Whoopi Goldberg Takes the Stage as QueenWhoopi Goldberg.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GettyDameJudi Denchmay have taken home that year’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her eight-minute turn as Queen Elizabeth I inShakespeare in Love(1998), butWhoopi Goldbergstole the show with her own bit of royal role-play.
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1999: Whoopi Goldberg Takes the Stage as Queen
Whoopi Goldberg.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty
DameJudi Denchmay have taken home that year’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her eight-minute turn as Queen Elizabeth I inShakespeare in Love(1998), butWhoopi Goldbergstole the show with her own bit of royal role-play.
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1999, 1998 and 1997: Three Winners Deliver Enthusiastic Acceptance Speeches
Roberto Benigni; James Cameron; Cuba Gooding Jr.Eric Draper/AP/Shutterstock; TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty; Susan Sterner/AP/Shutterstock
The Academy Awards of the late-’90s were especially thrilling thanks to the rapturous responses of three winners …
When director and starRoberto Benigniwon Best Foreign Language Film for the 1997 Italian dramedyLife Is Beautiful, he scaled the seats out of pure elation. Later, when he was named Best Actor, he told the audience he wanted to “kidnap everybody and lie down in the firmamentmaking love to everybody.”
The year before Benigni’s wins, filmmakerJames Camerontook home a trio of statuettes forTitanic(the three-hour epic scored 11 Oscars out of 14 nods). In his Best Director speech, Cameron took a cue from thefilm’s hero Jack Dawsonand proclaimed himself “king of the world.”
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1992: Jack Palance Proves His Physical Fitness
Jack Palance.Craig Fujii/AP/Shutterstock
16of 291989: Rob Lowe Opens the Oscars with Disastrous PerformanceRob Lowe and Eileen Bowman.Reed Saxon/APNot all unforgettable images are good ones! AndRob Lowehas made it pretty clear over the years that he wouldn’t mind if our collectivememories were erasedof this infamous moment. The harebrained idea had him opening the show with an unfunnily revised rendition ofIke&Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” alongside … Snow White? (It can’t have helped thatLowe wasn’t considered an Oscar-caliber actorat the time, andEileen Bowman, who played the Disney princess, wasn’t exactly a household name.) Decades later, theEmmyandGolden Globe-nominatedWest Wingstaradmitted toVanity Fairin 2018 that signing up for the daffy duet had been a “huge mistake.”
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1989: Rob Lowe Opens the Oscars with Disastrous Performance
Rob Lowe and Eileen Bowman.Reed Saxon/AP
Not all unforgettable images are good ones! AndRob Lowehas made it pretty clear over the years that he wouldn’t mind if our collectivememories were erasedof this infamous moment. The harebrained idea had him opening the show with an unfunnily revised rendition ofIke&Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” alongside … Snow White? (It can’t have helped thatLowe wasn’t considered an Oscar-caliber actorat the time, andEileen Bowman, who played the Disney princess, wasn’t exactly a household name.) Decades later, theEmmyandGolden Globe-nominatedWest Wingstaradmitted toVanity Fairin 2018 that signing up for the daffy duet had been a “huge mistake.”
17of 291986: Cher Takes Fashion Revenge in Midriff-Baring DressCher.Bettmann Archive/GettyTwo years before she won the Best Actress award for the 1987 filmMoonstruck,Cherwent full diva at the 58th Academy Awards. Many interpreted her slinky, midriff-baringBob Mackieensemble (complete with a spiky feather headdress!) to be asartorial middle finger at the Academyfor snubbing her performance in 1985’sMask. And when Cher took to the stage to present the Best Supporting Actor trophy, she deadpanned, “As you can see, I did receive my Academy booklet on how to dress like a serious actress.”
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1986: Cher Takes Fashion Revenge in Midriff-Baring Dress
Cher.Bettmann Archive/Getty
Two years before she won the Best Actress award for the 1987 filmMoonstruck,Cherwent full diva at the 58th Academy Awards. Many interpreted her slinky, midriff-baringBob Mackieensemble (complete with a spiky feather headdress!) to be asartorial middle finger at the Academyfor snubbing her performance in 1985’sMask. And when Cher took to the stage to present the Best Supporting Actor trophy, she deadpanned, “As you can see, I did receive my Academy booklet on how to dress like a serious actress.”
18of 291985: Sally Field Delivers the Most Misquoted Speech in Oscars' HistorySally Field.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Conten/GettySally Field’sBest Actress acceptance speechfor her role in 1984’sPlaces in the Heartbecame a cultural punchline, with people busting out her famous “You like me! You really like me!” kicker for years to come. Of course, that’s not what she actually said. (In reality, it was, “I haven’t had an orthodox career, and I’ve wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn’t feel it, but this time I feel it. And I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!") But when has the truth ever gotten in the way of a good meme?
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1985: Sally Field Delivers the Most Misquoted Speech in Oscars' History
Sally Field.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Conten/Getty
Sally Field’sBest Actress acceptance speechfor her role in 1984’sPlaces in the Heartbecame a cultural punchline, with people busting out her famous “You like me! You really like me!” kicker for years to come. Of course, that’s not what she actually said. (In reality, it was, “I haven’t had an orthodox career, and I’ve wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn’t feel it, but this time I feel it. And I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!") But when has the truth ever gotten in the way of a good meme?
19of 291978: C-3PO fromStar WarsAttends the OscarsC-3PO.Saxon/IMAGES/GettyA long time ago, in an auditorium not so far away,Star Wars(1977) cleaned up at the 50th Academy Awards. Though Best Picture was not among its six trophies (the most of any film that year), an appropriately dapperC-3POwas a nice little showcase for why the sci-fi smash took home an award for Best Costume Design.
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1978: C-3PO fromStar WarsAttends the Oscars
C-3PO.Saxon/IMAGES/Getty
A long time ago, in an auditorium not so far away,Star Wars(1977) cleaned up at the 50th Academy Awards. Though Best Picture was not among its six trophies (the most of any film that year), an appropriately dapperC-3POwas a nice little showcase for why the sci-fi smash took home an award for Best Costume Design.
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1974: A Streaker Interrupts David Niven
Robert Opel and David Niven.AP
21of 291973: Marlon Brando Makes Political StatementRoger Moore, Liv Ullmann and Sacheen Littlefeather.Bettmann Archive/GettyMarlon Brando’s decision to send Sacheen Littlefeather in his place to Hollywood’s biggest night was divisive, to say the least. The Native American activist was tasked with explaining whyThe Godfather(1972) star was boycotting the event and rejecting his Best Actor trophy. Brando had even written a 15-page letter for Littlefeather to read onstage that articulated his objections to Native American representation on-screen andcalled attention to a protestin the town of Wounded Knee, S.D.However, the Apache actress and advocate was told shortly before Brando’s win was announced that she had 60 seconds before she would be removed from the stage. Despite her brief remarks beingmet with boos and hostility from actors, includingClint Eastwood, Littlefeather remained firm in her belief she had acquitted herself well.“I was making a profound statement,” shetold VICEin 2016. “I did not use my fist, I did not use profanity, I used grace and elegance and quiet strength as my tools.”
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1973: Marlon Brando Makes Political Statement
Roger Moore, Liv Ullmann and Sacheen Littlefeather.Bettmann Archive/Getty
Marlon Brando’s decision to send Sacheen Littlefeather in his place to Hollywood’s biggest night was divisive, to say the least. The Native American activist was tasked with explaining whyThe Godfather(1972) star was boycotting the event and rejecting his Best Actor trophy. Brando had even written a 15-page letter for Littlefeather to read onstage that articulated his objections to Native American representation on-screen andcalled attention to a protestin the town of Wounded Knee, S.D.
However, the Apache actress and advocate was told shortly before Brando’s win was announced that she had 60 seconds before she would be removed from the stage. Despite her brief remarks beingmet with boos and hostility from actors, includingClint Eastwood, Littlefeather remained firm in her belief she had acquitted herself well.
“I was making a profound statement,” shetold VICEin 2016. “I did not use my fist, I did not use profanity, I used grace and elegance and quiet strength as my tools.”
22of 291972: Charlie Chaplin Receives Longest Standing Ovation in Oscars' HistoryCharlie Chaplin.Bettmann Archive/GettyWhen Charlie Chaplin made his way to the podium toaccept an honorary Academy Award for his life’s workin film, the audience rose for a 12-minute standing ovation — the longest in Oscars' history.In 1973, Chaplin would finally take home a competitive trophy, winning Best Original Score forLimelight. (Though the film was released in 1952, it didn’t play in Los Angeles theaters for another 20 years, making it Oscar-eligible; the Academy jumped at the chance to award Chaplin.)
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1972: Charlie Chaplin Receives Longest Standing Ovation in Oscars' History
Charlie Chaplin.Bettmann Archive/Getty
When Charlie Chaplin made his way to the podium toaccept an honorary Academy Award for his life’s workin film, the audience rose for a 12-minute standing ovation — the longest in Oscars' history.
In 1973, Chaplin would finally take home a competitive trophy, winning Best Original Score forLimelight. (Though the film was released in 1952, it didn’t play in Los Angeles theaters for another 20 years, making it Oscar-eligible; the Academy jumped at the chance to award Chaplin.)
23of 291964: Sidney Poitier Delivers Powerful Speech After Historic WinSidney Poitier.Gene Lester/GettyLilies of the Field’s starSidney Poitierbecame the first-ever Black Best Actor winner at the 36th Academy Awards.He kept his remarks brief: “Because it is a long journey to this moment, I am naturally indebted to countless numbers of people … For all of them, all I can say is a very special thank you.“WhenPoitier died in January 2022at 94,Denzel Washington— the second Black man towin the Best Actor Oscar38 years later — spoke of Poitier’s legacy in a statement shared with PEOPLE: “It wasa privilege to call Sidney Poitier my friend. He was a gentle man and opened doors for all of us that had been closed for years.”
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1964: Sidney Poitier Delivers Powerful Speech After Historic Win
Sidney Poitier.Gene Lester/Getty
Lilies of the Field’s starSidney Poitierbecame the first-ever Black Best Actor winner at the 36th Academy Awards.He kept his remarks brief: “Because it is a long journey to this moment, I am naturally indebted to countless numbers of people … For all of them, all I can say is a very special thank you.”
WhenPoitier died in January 2022at 94,Denzel Washington— the second Black man towin the Best Actor Oscar38 years later — spoke of Poitier’s legacy in a statement shared with PEOPLE: “It wasa privilege to call Sidney Poitier my friend. He was a gentle man and opened doors for all of us that had been closed for years.”
24of 291958: Paul Newman Stares Lovingly at Wife Joanne WoodwardPaul Newman and Joanne Woodward.Bettmann Archive/GettyFind somebody who looks at youlikePaul Newmanlooked at his award-winning wifeJoanne Woodward, who won Best Actress for 1957’sThe Three Faces of Eve. That is all.
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1958: Paul Newman Stares Lovingly at Wife Joanne Woodward
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.Bettmann Archive/Getty
Find somebody who looks at youlikePaul Newmanlooked at his award-winning wifeJoanne Woodward, who won Best Actress for 1957’sThe Three Faces of Eve. That is all.
25of 291946: Joan Crawford Receives Her Oscar in BedJoan Crawford.Silver Screen Collection/GettyIt wasn’t exactly an ill-begotten victory, but Joan Crawford claimed she’d contracted pneumonia ahead of the 18th Academy Awards. The story around town was that theMildred Pierce(1945) star was trying to save face because she feared she wouldn’t win. Instead, Crawford — serving up an Old Hollywood glam face after all —wasnamed Best Actress and pulled the ultimate power move when her award was hand-delivered to her in bed.
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1946: Joan Crawford Receives Her Oscar in Bed
Joan Crawford.Silver Screen Collection/Getty
It wasn’t exactly an ill-begotten victory, but Joan Crawford claimed she’d contracted pneumonia ahead of the 18th Academy Awards. The story around town was that theMildred Pierce(1945) star was trying to save face because she feared she wouldn’t win. Instead, Crawford — serving up an Old Hollywood glam face after all —wasnamed Best Actress and pulled the ultimate power move when her award was hand-delivered to her in bed.
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1942: The Academy Awards Reduces Its Glamour
Joan Fontaine and Gary Cooper.Hulton Archive/Getty
But, in 1942 — two and a half months after the United States officially entered World War II — the Academy kept the ceremony’s date yet opted to host a more austere show out of respect for the grim national mood. Gone were the extravagant evening gowns and tailor-made tuxes. Attendees even sacrificed post-dinner dancing during the wartime years, and the next three Academy Awards saw winners take home bronze-lacquered plaster statuettes rather than the traditional bronze-cast, gold-plated trophies.
27of 291940: Hattie McDaniel Accepts Historic Oscar Win at Segregated TableHattie McDaniel and Fay Bainter.Bettmann Archive/GettyHattie McDanielhad been excluded from her own film’s premiere in September 1939, but less than six months later, theGone with the Windactress was invited to the 12th Academy Awards, where she would be named Best Supporting Actress. She was the first-ever Black actor to win an Oscar, however, thegroundbreaking achievementwas, of course, not without overt displays of racial prejudice — McDaniel was seated at a segregated table on the side of the room.
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1940: Hattie McDaniel Accepts Historic Oscar Win at Segregated Table
Hattie McDaniel and Fay Bainter.Bettmann Archive/Getty
Hattie McDanielhad been excluded from her own film’s premiere in September 1939, but less than six months later, theGone with the Windactress was invited to the 12th Academy Awards, where she would be named Best Supporting Actress. She was the first-ever Black actor to win an Oscar, however, thegroundbreaking achievementwas, of course, not without overt displays of racial prejudice — McDaniel was seated at a segregated table on the side of the room.
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1939: Shirley Temple Presents Walt Disney with a Special Oscar
Walt Disney and Shirley Temple.Bettmann Archive/Getty
29of 291931: Norma Shearer Awards Herself the OscarNorma Shearer.APWith two of the six nominations in the Best Actress race at the 3rd Academy Awards, Norma Shearer had a strong chance of winning. So it’s unclear why she was tapped to present that very award. Organizers averted potential (and entirely predictable) embarrassment for themselves and Shearer when she won for her turn in the 1930 filmThe Divorcee. From then on, nominees would never again be asked to pull double duty as presenters in their own category.
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1931: Norma Shearer Awards Herself the Oscar
Norma Shearer.AP
With two of the six nominations in the Best Actress race at the 3rd Academy Awards, Norma Shearer had a strong chance of winning. So it’s unclear why she was tapped to present that very award. Organizers averted potential (and entirely predictable) embarrassment for themselves and Shearer when she won for her turn in the 1930 filmThe Divorcee. From then on, nominees would never again be asked to pull double duty as presenters in their own category.
source: people.com
