The Oscars have been handed out since 1929, and in that time, they’ve become one of the most prestigious awards in Hollywood. Winning an Oscar can launch a career or solidify a legacy, and that feeling can never be compared to hitting the jackpot on Vave. Over the years, the Oscars have been handed out to some of the biggest names in the business, as well as to some surprising upsets.
Some of the most memorable moments in Oscars history include Marlon Brando refusing to accept his Best Actor award for “The Godfather” in 1973, or when “Gentlemen’s Agreement” became the first (and only) film to win Best Picture without being nominated for a single acting award.
The Oscars have also been the subject of some controversy over the years. In 2015, the #OscarsSoWhite campaign erupted after all 20 acting nominees were white. The Academy has since made an effort to diversify its membership, but the issue continues to be a hot-button topic.
But at the end of the day, the Oscars remain the biggest night in Hollywood and a celebration of the best that the film industry has to offer.
It Was Moonlight
The 2017 Oscars was supposed to be a night to remember. A night where Hollywood’s best and brightest were celebrated for their achievements in film. However, the night will be remembered for something else entirely. In one of the biggest snafus in Oscar history, the award for Best Picture was mistakenly announced as going to La La Land, when in fact it was supposed to go to Moonlight.
For a few brief moments, it looked like La La Land was going to walk away with the top prize of the night. The cast and crew of the film were already on stage, accepting the award, when the mistake was announced. It was a humiliating moment for all involved, and one that will no doubt be talked about for years to come.
The 2017 Oscars will be remembered not for the great films that were celebrated, but for the one big mistake that will live on in infamy.
Amadeus!
It was one of the most awkward and memorable moments in Oscar history. The big mistake of the night happened when Olivier forgot to announce the nominees for the Best Picture award, and simply said the winner’s name. The winner was Amadeus, but many in the audience were caught off guard by Olivier’s error.
The audience was stunned and there was an awkward pause before the winner, Amadeus, was announced. It was a mistake that was widely reported in the media, and one that is still remembered today.
Not the First
When Sam Smith mistakenly said he was the first openly gay man to win an Oscar, he was met with a swift correction. Smith made the comment while accepting the award for Best Original Song for his track “Writing’s on the Wall” from the James Bond film Spectre.
After Black took to Twitter to point out Smith’s mistake, the “Stay With Me” singer apologized, saying he was “an idiot” and that he “should know better.”
While it’s understandable that Smith may have mistakenly thought he was the first openly gay man to win an Oscar, it’s important to note that there have been numerous openly gay actors, actresses, and filmmakers who have won the prestigious award throughout the years.
