The Academy Awards, Hollywood’s most glamorous event, is meant to celebrate cinematic excellence. However, it has often been overshadowed by controversial, shocking, and downright cringeworthy moments. From epic mix-ups to activism gone wild, here are ten unforgettable incidents that left audiences stunned.
The Moonlight Mix-Up (2017)
In one of the most embarrassing moments in Oscars history, the Best Picture award was mistakenly announced as La La Land. As the producers of La La Land began their acceptance speeches, it was revealed that the real winner was Moonlight. The confusion stemmed from a mix-up with the envelopes. It was a humiliating moment for the Academy and a night few will forget.
Sean Penn’s Green Card Joke (2015)
When Alejandro González Iñárritu won Best Picture for Birdman, Sean Penn presented the award with a tone-deaf joke: “Who gave this son of a b*tch his green card?” The remark sparked immediate backlash, with many calling it racist and insensitive. Penn later claimed it was a joke between friends, but the damage was already done.
Jennifer Lawrence’s Fall (2013)
Jennifer Lawrence’s trip on the staircase while accepting her Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook became one of the night’s most talked-about moments. While some praised her recovery and humour, others accused her of faking the fall to garner sympathy. Lawrence denied the accusations, but the moment remains a subject of debate.
The Will Smith Slap (2022)
The 94th Oscars came at a time when the world was beginning to recover from the pandemic, and Hollywood’s elite gathered for a night of celebration. However, the night became infamous when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage after a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s alopecia. While many initially thought Smith was approaching Rock to playfully address the joke, the slap shocked the audience and viewers worldwide. It was a moment that overshadowed the entire evening, leading to Smith’s subsequent resignation from the Academy and a 10-year ban from attending its events.
Marlon Brando’s Protest (1973)
Marlon Brando made history by refusing his Best Actor Oscar for The Godfather. Instead, Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American activist, appeared on stage to explain Brando’s protest against Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans. Her speech was met with both applause and outrage, with actor John Wayne reportedly restrained from physically removing her from the stage. This iconic protest brought attention to the plight of Native Americans and remains a powerful moment in Oscars history.
Adrien Brody’s Unwanted Kiss (2003)
When Adrien Brody won Best Actor for The Pianist, he shocked everyone by grabbing presenter Halle Berry and kissing her on stage without her consent. While Berry later said she understood the excitement of the moment, many viewed it as inappropriate. In today’s era of increased awareness around consent, the moment is often seen as a glaring example of boundaries being crossed.
Roman Polanski’s Controversial Win (2003)
Roman Polanski won Best Director for The Pianist despite being a fugitive from the United States after pleading guilty to the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in 1977. The decision to award him sparked widespread outrage, highlighting the Academy’s history of overlooking serious crimes committed by some of its members. Polanski was eventually expelled from the Academy in 2018.
#OscarsSoWhite Controversy (2015-2016)
The Oscars faced significant backlash for the lack of diversity in its nominations, with all 20 acting nominees in both 2015 and 2016 being white. Jada Pinkett-Smith and others led a boycott, calling for greater representation in Hollywood. The campaign, #OscarsSoWhite, sparked widespread conversation about diversity in film and led to changes in the Academy’s voting and nomination process.
Joaquin Phoenix’s Dairy Industry Speech (2020)
After winning Best Actor for Joker, Joaquin Phoenix used his acceptance speech to deliver a passionate critique of the dairy industry. He condemned humanity’s treatment of animals, describing the process of forcibly inseminating cows and separating calves from their mothers. While his speech was heartfelt, it left many in the audience bewildered, given the unrelated context of the evening.
The Streaker (1974)
In one of the most bizarre moments in Oscars history, gay rights activist Robert Opel streaked across the stage behind host David Niven. The incident stole the spotlight and remains one of the most talked-about stunts in Oscars history. Niven’s quick wit saved the moment, quipping, “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?”
The Oscars have always been a night of glitz and glamour, but these moments prove that even the most carefully orchestrated events can go wildly off script. Whether it’s a shocking slap, an epic mix-up, or a passionate protest, these incidents remind us that live television is full of surprises.
What’s your most memorable Oscars moment? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow us for more captivating stories from Hollywood’s biggest nights. If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends and family!