A Tribute to Film Posters

Great Moments in Oscars: The Most Memorable Oscar Winners

The annual Oscar event has become synonymous with glamour, power and glitz. The spectacular awards show honors Hollywood’s best in the industry. Although it is now known as the most prestigious and celebrated event in Hollywood, its beginnings were humble. On the evening of May 16, 1929, a paltry 300 movie industry types and their significant others assembled in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to witness the first-ever awards ceremony for the fledging Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In the academy’s 76 year history, there have been thousands of Oscar winners and here is a list of some of the most memorable.

The most memorable Oscar refusal:
Marlon Brando for the The Godfather. In 1972, when Marlon Brando received the best actor award for his work in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece The Godfather, he refused to accept the Oscar. Instead, he sent a young woman dressed in an Indian costume to deliver his message. Brando’s powerful political statement regarding the treatment of Native American’s caused much ado and created an unforgettable moment in Oscar history.

The most memorable Oscar acceptance speech:
Halle Berry for Monster’s Ball. Certainly, there have been many memorable speeches from a variety of Oscar winners, but Ms. Berry’s ranks as perhaps the most moving. In 2002, a historically significant event in the entertainment world took place. Ms. Berry was the first black woman to receive a best actress Oscar for her work in the gritty drama, Monster’s Ball. Lost in the moment, she delivered an emotional speech that acknowledged the magnitude of her win, bringing many in the audience to tears.

The most memorable and enthusiastic Oscar acceptance speech:
Jack Palance for City Slickers. In 1992, when Palance won his Oscar for best supporting actor, he famously got down on his hands and knees and started doing one-armed pushups.

The most memorable and real life best actor Oscar performance:
Harold Russell for The Best Years of our Lives. In 1946, Harold Russell received two best actor awards for his performance in this classic wartime film. In life, Russell was a WWII veteran who had lost both his arms in battle. In the film, he portrayed a wounded army veteran returning from the battlefield.

The most memorable honorary Oscar:
Orson Welles for his life’s work. When Welles finally received his honorary Oscar in 1970, it was a bitter sweet moment for the multi-talented star who had been overlooked for his stunning achievement in Citizen Kane.

The most memorable impromptu Oscar acceptance speech:
Lawrence Olivier for his lifetime achievement. In 1978, Olivier delivered perhaps the most eloquent Oscar acceptance speech in the academy’s history. With no paper in hand, Olivier impressed his audience with his unmatched ability to graciously and gracefully articulate his thoughts.

Honorable mentions:
• Barbara Streisand and Katherine Hepburn for their best actress two-way tie.
• Kirk Douglas for his acceptance of an honorary Oscar.
• Sidney Poitier for best actor in Lilies of the Field.
• Jon Blair for best documentary for Anne Frank Remembered.
• Roberto Benigni for best actor in Life is Beautiful.

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