A Look at the Most Iconic Oscar Moments in History

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS) organizes the Oscars annually to celebrate excellence in film. It is the most anticipated event in the film industry and entertainment. Throughout its 92-year history, the Oscars have produced many defining moments, but some of these moments are much more significant than others.

Eleven years after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science awarded the first Oscars, the time finally came for the first Black winner of the prestigious award. Hattie McDaniel became the first Black person to win an Oscar when she was voted the best-supporting actress for playing Mammy, a house servant in the 1939 historical romance movie, Gone With the Wind.

Although a defining moment for Hollywood and African Americans, McDaniel was the only Black person invited to the awards that year. Even at the ceremony, she sat at a separate table from her co-stars as racial segregation was still endemic in Hollywood at the time.

Following the critical and commercial success of the 1972 crime epic The Godfather, Marlon Brando, the film’s lead actor who played the role of Vito Corleone, a crime boss, won the coveted award for best actor in a leading role in the 45th edition of the 1973 awards.

However, Brando chose to boycott the awards in protest of the adverse treatment of the Native Americans in Hollywood. Instead, he sent the president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee, Sacheen Littlefeather, to represent him. As the award presenters announced Brando as the winner, Littlefeather went up to the stage and rejected the statue, explaining Brando’s reasons for rejection.

The Oscar for best director had always been dominated by men, with no woman director ever getting a nod for the award. However, history was made at the 82nd edition in 2010 when Kathryn Bigelow won the award for directing the 2008 war thriller film The Hurt Locker, making her the first woman to ever win in the category. To win the award, Bigelow even had to beat her ex-husband and fellow nominee James Cameroon, also nominated for directing the acclaimed sci-fi movie Avatar.

The Oscars, just like other awards, have witnessed many standing ovations to honor some of the most influential people in the film industry. Still, none is quite like the one British actor Charlie Chaplin got at the 44th edition of the ceremony in 1972. Despite reaching his prime in cinema before the academy awards started in 1929, silent film star Charlie Chaplin already had an incomparable impact on the industry. The academy recognized this impact and gave him the 1972 Oscars honorary award. What followed the award presentation was unprecedented as Chaplin got a 12-minute standing ovation from the crowd.

The Oscars have always been home to plenty of funny moments, and these moments are usually from people in the industry. However, the funniest moment in Oscar history occurred in its 46th edition in 1974, and it wasn’t from anyone in the film industry. Instead, it was from a streaker who ran past the stage, giving the audience a peace sign as co-host David Niven was about to introduce the presenter for the best picture category.

The naked man, Robert Opel, was a gay rights activist who managed to sneak backstage by pretending to be a reporter. However, many people in the industry alleged the stunt was a collision between Jack Harley Jr., the event’s producer, and Opel to boost the awards ratings.