The Academy Awards, celebrating its 97th ceremony on March 3, has a history filled with shocking and memorable moments. Highlights include Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock in 2022, John Cena’s humorous stunt in 2022, and the infamous mix-up in 2017 when ‘La La Land’ was mistakenly announced as ‘Best Picture’ instead of ‘Moonlight.’ From spontaneous kisses to political speeches, the Oscars continue to deliver unforgettable surprises that captivate audiences worldwide.
The Oscars: A Night of Unforgettable Moments
On March 3, the Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, will celebrate its 97th ceremony. This grand event has a rich history filled with unexpected and sometimes outrageous moments that have left audiences both shocked and entertained. One such infamous incident occurred in 2022, when actor Will Smith, aged 56, made headlines for slapping comedian Chris Rock, 60, during the live broadcast, providing plenty of material for future comedy routines.
Memorable Stunts and Surprises
In a daring display of humor, former wrestler and actor John Cena, 47, took to the stage last year with a cheeky stunt that highlighted the significance of the ‘Best Costume Design’ award. Describing his naked appearance as he stood with only a cue card for coverage, Cena expressed that despite it being one of the most embarrassing moments of his life, he had no regrets. The idea was inspired by then-host Jimmy Kimmel, 57.
Perhaps the most shocking moment in Oscar history occurred when Chris Rock made a light-hearted joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s, 53, shaved head. Will Smith’s unexpected reaction, as he stormed the stage to slap the comedian, left everyone in attendance and watching at home in disbelief. The incident quickly became the talk of the evening, overshadowing the awards and marking a significant moment in Smith’s career.
In 2017, the excitement of the ‘La La Land’ team turned to horror when they were mistakenly announced as the winners of ‘Best Picture.’ Due to a mix-up with the envelopes, the actual winner was ‘Moonlight.’ The blunder shocked everyone at the Dolby Theatre and is remembered as one of the biggest mishaps in Oscar history, causing quite a stir and likely costing someone their job.
Another unforgettable Oscar moment happened in 2003 when Adrien Brody, 51, won ‘Best Actor’ for his role in ‘The Pianist.’ In a spontaneous display of joy, the young actor overwhelmed presenter Halle Berry, 58, by kissing her on the mouth. Berry later recounted her surprise, wondering, “What the hell is happening here?”
Michael Moore’s acceptance speech in 2003 for ‘Best Documentary’ also stirred controversy. The filmmaker used his platform to criticize then-President George W. Bush, declaring, “We are against this war, Mr. Bush.” However, his message was largely drowned out by the orchestra, leaving many viewers unable to hear his passionate words.
On a lighter note, Roberto Benigni, 72, created a joyful uproar when he won the Oscar for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ for ‘Life is Beautiful’ in 1999. His exuberant celebration included climbing on chairs and dancing down the aisle, a moment so memorable that host Billy Crystal, 76, humorously brought a giant butterfly net to the ceremony the following year to prevent a repeat performance.
Finally, Marlon Brando (1924-2004) made Oscar history in 1973 when he sent a representative, Sacheen Littlefeather, to decline his award for ‘Best Actor.’ She spoke on behalf of Brando about the discrimination faced by Native Americans, leading to a mixed reaction from the audience. Littlefeather, who was later revealed to be an actress named Maria Cruz, inadvertently ended her Hollywood career with this appearance. Interestingly, the Oscar statue was secretly taken by Roger Moore (1927-2017) but later returned.