In 1975, host Frank Sinatra tweaks Dustin Hoffman, who had called the Oscars “no better than a beauty contest.” “Contrary to what Mr. Hoffman thinks, it is not an obscene evening. It is not garish and it is not embarrassing,” Sinatra says.
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“Life Is Beautiful” actor-director Roberto Benigni excitedly bounds across the tops of chairs on his way to the stage in 1999 to collect the award for Best Foreign Film. “This is a moment of joy, and I want to kiss everybody!” he declares. After winning for Best Actor, he expresses a desire to become Jupiter, and kidnap and make love to everybody.
Eric Draper/AP
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After being accused of un-American activities during the McCarthy era, Charlie Chaplin leaves the US in 1952. He finally returns in 1972 to accept an honorary award, leading to one of the longest ovations in the show’s history.
Everett Collection
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Alfred Hitchcock is awarded the lifetime achievement prize in 1968 and gives the shortest acceptance speech in history: “Thank you.” Then he walks off the stage.
Photofest
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In 2003, Adrien Brody plants a wet one on an unsuspecting Halle Berry after winning Best Actor for his role in “The Pianist.”
Kevork Djansezian/AP
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Former Brat Packers hit the stage to honor late director John Hughes, in 2010. Seeing all these former teen stars, including the long lost Judd Nelson, all grown up, proves fascinating.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
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The tabloid world explodes with excitement in 1991 when Madonna shows up with Michael Jackson as her date. The Material Girl, however, reportedly goes home with “Dick Tracy” co-star Warren Beatty.
Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image
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The dressed-down members of Three 6 Mafia win Best Song for “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from 2005’s “Hustle & Flow,” leading to an exuberant—and wonderfully unpolished—acceptance speech.
Gary C. Caskey/UPI
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In what is considered among the cheesiest moments in Oscar history, Rob Lowe opens the 1989 show by singing a duet of “Proud Mary” with Snow White. Hollywood royalty, including Paul Newman, later write a letter of protest to the academy.
Reed Saxon/AP
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In 2000, Angelina Jolie raises a few eyebrows by kissing her brother, James Haven, full on the mouth. During her Best Supporting Actress acceptance speech, she admits, “I’m so in love with my brother right now.”
Jim Smeal/WireImage
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In 2005, host Chris Rock takes a shot at then-ubiquitous Jude Law, cracking, “Who is Jude Law? Why’s he in every movie I have seen for the last four years? He’s in everything. Even the movies he’s not acting in, if you look at the credits he made cupcakes or something.” Later in the show, Sean Penn defends Law, calling him “one of our finest actors.”
Mark J. Terrill/AP
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After winning in 1976, Best Actress Louise Fletcher of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” closes her speech with a touching sign-language message for her deaf parents: “I want to say thank you for teaching me to have a dream,” she signs while crying. “You are seeing my dream come true.”
AP
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John Wayne, frail and suffering from cancer, makes what would be his final public appearance at the 1979 telecast. He died two months later.
ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
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Oscar host Billy Crystal dons a Hannibal the Cannibal mask at the opening segment of 64th Annual Academy Awards Monday, March 30, 1992 in Los Angeles. Actor Anthony Hopkins is nominated for actor in a leading role this year for his portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.” (AP Photo/Craig Fujii
Craig Fujii/AP
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Director James Cameron raises his Oscar after winning in the Best Director Category during the 70th Academy Awards in 1998.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
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Christopher Reeve appears at the 68th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Monday, March 25, 1996. With many wiping away tears, Reeve, paralyzed from the shoulder down in a horse-riding accident, urged Hollywood to produce more movies about social issues. (AP Photo/Eric Draper)
Eric Draper/AP
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In her very first movie Barbra Streisand won Oscar for her performance in “Funny Girl” in Hollywood, Los Angeles, April 15, 1969. She and Katharine Hepburn were named the yearís best actresses in a rare tie. Miss Hepburn was honored for her performances in “The Lion in Winter.” (AP Photo)
AP
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Joe Stone and Sharon Stone (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
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Actor Jack Palance does one-handed pushups on stage at the 64th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday night, March 30, 1992, after winning an Oscar. (AP-PHOTO/stf/Craig Fujii)
Craig Fujii/AP
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Singer Bjork, wearing a Marjan Pejoski swan gown, arrives at the 73rd annual Academy Awards Sunday, March 25, 2001, in Los Angeles.
Michael Caulfield/AP
