Dramatic Oscars Fiascoes and Disputes Throughout History, Leaving One Wishing for Social Media's Existence a Century Earlier
The glamour and prestige of the Academy Awards have not always been immune to controversy and scandal. From missteps and blunders to edgy humor and shocking moments, the Oscars have seen it all.
In 1934, Frank Capra was incorrectly announced as the Best Director winner, a mistake that was later corrected to William Wyler. Similarly, in 1938, Alice Brady's Best Supporting Actress award for "In Old Chicago" was accepted by a "mystery man," as the actress had passed away before the ceremony. The "mystery man" turned out to be Henry King, who directed Alice in "In Old Chicago."
Fast forward to 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress in "Gone with the Wind." However, she was forced to sit in the back of the room due to segregation. This unfortunate incident was a stark reminder of the racial inequalities that persisted in Hollywood at the time.
In 1973, Marlon Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather to decline his Best Actor Oscar for "The Godfather." Sacheen faced backlash and false rumors, a situation that was not rectified until 2022 when the Academy released a formal apology to her.
The 2013 Oscars, hosted by Seth MacFarlane, were marked by controversy due to his risqué and edgy humor. His jokes included crude sexual references, jokes about actresses’ anatomy, and politically incorrect humor targeting celebrities and Hollywood norms. The sharp and often offensive humor triggered debates about taste and appropriateness at the Oscars.
One of the most memorable moments from the 2013 Oscars was when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock across the face after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head. The incident was widely condemned, and Smith later addressed the incident in a YouTube video four months later.
In 2022, the Academy Awards were hosted by Chris Rock. Despite the controversy surrounding his previous hosting of the Grammys, his performance at the Oscars was generally well-received. However, he did stir up some controversy with a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, leading to the infamous slap by Will Smith.
In more recent times, in 2023, Andrea Riseborough was nominated for Best Actress for the indie movie "To Leslie." The same year, the Academy finally gave a replacement of Hattie McDaniel's Oscar to Howard University.
Throughout its history, the Academy Awards have been a stage for both glamour and controversy. From the first Black Oscar winner to the infamous slap, the Oscars have seen it all. Despite the scandals and controversies, the Academy Awards continue to be a celebrated event in the world of cinema.
Evergreen controversies of the Oscars were revisited in 2023 while hosting the ceremony, Chris Rock referred jokingly to Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, a topic that had stirred up controversy in 2013 during Seth MacFarlane's hosting, leading to Will Smith's infamous slap. Meanwhile, an evergreen achievement was recognized as the Academy finally gave a replacement of Hattie McDaniel's Oscar to Howard University.
