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These are the biggest Oscars scandals in history
The Academy Awards has seen a number of scandals over the decades, from actors refusing to accept their award to kisses that raised eyebrows. Here are the biggest Oscars scandals in history.
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The Academy Awards has seen a number of scandals over the decades, from actors refusing to accept their award to kisses that raised eyebrows.
Then-26-year-old rising star Barbara Streisand tied with veteran Katharine Hepburn for Best Actress at the 1969 Academy Awards.
(Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Hepburn was nominated for her role in The Lion in Winter, a historical drama about Henry II, and based on James Goldman’s play of the same name. She starred opposite Peter O’Toole.
Irish actor Peter O'Toole, as King Henry II, and American actress Katharine Hepburn (1907 - 2003) as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, in 'The Lion In Winter', directed by Anthony Harvey, 1968. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Streisand was nominated for her role in ‘Funny Girl,’ based on the musical of the same name.
Barbra Streisand (as Fanny Brice) sings in a scene from 'Funny Girl' in 1968. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
It’s the only time in Oscars history that Best Actress has ended in a tie. In total, there have been six ties so far in Academy history.
The most recent tie was in 2013 for Best Sound Editing. Two films won: ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and ‘Skyfall.’
Sound editor Paul N.J. Ottosson, winner of the Best Sound Editing award for ‘Zero Dark Thirty,’ poses in the press room during the Oscars on Feb. 24, 2013. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Actor George Scott refused his Best Actor Academy Award in 1971 for his role in ‘Patton,’ famously calling the show a ‘two-hour meat parade.’
In the film ‘Patton,’ Scott portrays the famous U.S. general George Smith Patton, known for his brash personality and military success during the Second World War.
Scott in a scene from ‘Patton’ in 1970. (Camerique/Getty Images)
Frank McCarthy, the film’s producer, accepted the Best Actor award that night for the absent Scott.
Frank McCarthy, the producer of Patton, accepts the Best Actor Oscar for George C. Scott who refused to attend the Academy Awards or to accept the Oscar. (Getty Images)
Frank McCarthy accepted a second Oscar the same night for Best Picture, also for ‘Patton.’
Frank McCarthy holds two Oscars during the Academy Awards Ceremonies. (Getty Images)
At the 1973 Oscars, Marlon Brando was nominated as Best Actor for his role the previous year in ‘The Godfather.’ But the actor refused to attend the ceremony.
From left: Abe Vigoda, Richard S. Castellano, Marlon Brando, John Cazale, Al Lettieri, James Caan, and Robert Duvall, in a publicity still issued for the film, 'The Godfather', 1972. (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Sacheen Littlefeather spoke at the awards on Brando’s behalf. She paraphrased a statement written by the actor, which explained his refusal to accept the award in protest of the film industry’s treatment of Native Americans and events at Wounded Knee.
Sacheen Littlefeather refuses the Academy Award for Best Actor on behalf of Marlon Brando who won for his role in The Godfather, at the 1973 Academy Awards. (Getty Images)
Brando’s statement was 739 words. Littlefeather says she was told by the ceremony's show producer it was too long to read in full.
Activist Sacheen Littlefeather (born Marie Louise Cruz) speaks after rejecting the Academy Award on behalf of Best Actor winner Marlon Brando. (Getty Images)
A report released after Littlefeather’s death in 2022 claims the actor and activist lied about her Native American identity, and that her father’s family was from Mexico.
Sacheen Littlefeather (born Marie Louise Cruz) on stage at AMPAS Presents An Evening with Sacheen Littlefeather at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Sept. 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
The Oscars had one of its most scandalous moments in 1974 when a streaker, Robert Opel, ran naked across the stage by actor David Niven, who was trying to introduce Elizabeth Taylor.
A streaker appears on stage surprising David Niven, right, who isn't quite sure what's happening behind him. The man, later identified as Robert Opel, unexpectedly crossed the stage near the end of the Academy Awards show in Los Angeles, Feb. 4, 1974. (AP Photo)
After Opel made his way off stage, Niven quipped: ‘Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen. But 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.’
Robert Opel streaks across the stage in front of a television audience of 76 million people. (Getty Images)
Elizabeth Taylor took the stage and laughed about the incident, but later worried it had thrown her off her lines.
Presenter Elizabeth Taylor on stage at the 1974 Oscars after the streaking incident. (Getty)
The Oscars gave a nod to the incident 50 years later at the 2024 Academy Awards, when John Cena disrobed to present the award for Best Costume Design.
TV host Jimmy Kimmel looks on as actor John Cena presents the award for Best Costume Design at the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
The creators of ‘South Park’ turned heads at the Oscars in 2000 when they Trey Parker showed up to the red carpet in dresses and high on LSD.
South Park creators Trey Parker, left, in a Jennifer Lopez look-alike outfit, and Matt Stone, right, arrive with Marc Shalman, centre, writer of the Oscar-nominated song "Blame Canada" at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 26, 2000. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Trey Parker wore a Jennifer Lopez look-alike outfit – her infamous green Versace dress with a plunging neckline, that became so popular it led to the creation of Google Images.
Jennifer Lopez in a Versace jungle dress of green silk chiffon at the 42nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb. 23, 2000. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Meanwhile, Matt Stone wore a pink dress resembling the Ralph Lauren Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the Academy Awards in 1999, where she won Best Actress for ‘Shakespeare in Love.’
From left to right, David Parfitt, Donna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Gwyneth Paltrow, Edward Zwick and Marc Norman all celebrate after receiving the Oscar for best picture for "Shakespeare In Love" during the 71st Annual Academy Awards Sunday, March 21, 1999, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Los Angeles Music Center. (AP Photo/Dave Caulkin)
Trey Parker and Matt Stone made a conscious effort not to talk about their dresses on the red carpet. When reporters asked, they gave generic answers like, ‘It’s such a magical evening.’
They said the most difficult part of the stunt was having to sit through the Oscars ceremony.
(Getty Images)
Marisa Tomei’s Best Supporting Actress win for her breakout role in ‘My Cousin Vinny’ raised eyebrows at the 1993 Academy Awards.
Marisa Tomei holds her Oscar at the 65th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. (Steve Starr/Corbis via Getty Images)
Tomei was up against heavyweights Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright, Vanessa Redgrave and Judy Davis., and some questioned if the wrong name was announced by mistake.
Marisa Tomei, right, and Joe Pesci in 'My Cousin Vinny' in 1992.
She went on to receive best supporting actress nominations in 2002 for ‘In the Bedroom’ and 2009 for ‘The Wrestler.’
Marisa Tomei arrives for the 81st Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Actor Angelina Jolie raised eyebrows at the 2000 Academy Awards when she kissed her brother, James Haven, on the lips on the red carpet.
Angelina Jolie and James Haven at the 72nd Annual Academy Awards, March 26, 2000. (Ke.Mazur/WireImage)
That night, Jolie went on to win Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘Girl, Interrupted.’ The acceptance speech also caused controversy when she said, "I'm in shock, and I'm so in love with my brother right now.”
The Columbia Pictures presentation "Girl, Interrupted," starring Winona Ryder (left) and Angelina Jolie. (Suzanne Tenner 1999 Columbia Pictures, Inc.)
That wasn’t the first time the siblings locked lips in front of cameras; they also kissed at 57th annual Golden Globe Awards in January, 2000.
Sibling actors Angelina Jolie and James Haven kiss as they attend the 57th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 24, 2000. (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
When Will Smith marched onto the Oscars stage and smacked Chris Rock, the unpredictable moment served as a jarring interruption to Hollywood's feel-good celebration.
Will Smith, right, hits presenter Chris Rock on stage while presenting the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
The exchange began when Rock took aim at Pinkett Smith's shaved head, saying, "Jada, I love you. `G.I. Jane 2,' can't wait to see it, all right?" Rock's reference was made from the 1997 film "G.I. Jane," starring Demi Moore, who shaved her head to portray a fictional Navy Seal candidate.
Pinkett Smith revealed in 2018 that she was diagnosed with alopecia.
<>Jada Pinkett Smith, left, and Will Smith hold hands in the audience at the Oscars in Los Angeles on March 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Smith walked onto the stage from his front-row seat and took a swing at Rock with an open palm, generating a loud smack. Smith walked back to his seat and shouted for Rock to leave Pinkett Smith alone.
Chris Rock, left, reacts after being hit on stage by Will Smith at the Oscars on March 27, 2022. (Chris Pizzello/ AP)
Smith returned moments later to accept his first-ever Academy Award for his role in ‘King Richard’, where he delivered a tearful apology for an act sure to overshadow his milestone achievement.
Will Smith accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "King Richard" at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Halle Berry was caught off guard at the 2003 Oscars when actor Adrien Brody kissed her on stage as she presented an award.
Actor Adrien Brody kisses presenter/actress Halle Berry as he accepts his Oscar for 'performance by an actor in a leading role' for his role in 'The Pianist' during the 75th Academy Awards in 2003. (AFP / Timothy A. Clary)
As Brody walked on stage to accept his Best Actor award for his role in ‘The Pianist,’ he then shocked the crowd by throwing his arms around Berry and dipping her into a kiss.
Actor Adrien Brody surprises presenter Halle Berry after kissing and embracing her after he won the Oscar for best actor for his work in The Pianist at the 75th annual Academy Awards Sunday, March 23, 2003, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Berry playfully got back at Brody 22 years later in 2025 when she surprised him with a kiss on the red carpet at the 97th Annual Academy Awards.
Adrien Brody, Halle Berry at the 97th Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Activist April Reign created the social media hashtag #OscarsSoWhite in 2015 because of a total lack of diversity in the Best Actor categories. Not a single actor of colour was nominated in 2015.
Actors J.K. Simmons, Patricia Arquette, Julianne Moore and Eddie Redmayne pose in the press room during the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015. (Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Reign said her hashtag was never about just Black actors, but all communities marginalized in Hollywood including Asians, Latinos, and women.
Creator of #OscarsSoWhite movement, April Reign, poses for AFP during a photo session in Hollywood on Feb. 1, 2020. (Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images)
Reign’s social media campaign grew in strength when the Academy again nominated only white actors for the 2016 Oscars.
Actor Mark Rylance, winner of Best Supporting Actor for 'Bridge of Spies,' actress Brie Larson, winner of Best Actress for 'Room,' actor Leonardo DiCaprio, winner of Best Actor for 'The Revenant,' and actress Alicia Vikander, winner of Best Supporting Actress for 'The Danish Girl,' pose in the press room during the 88th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 28, 2016. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
The Academy Awards said it would make efforts to increase diversity in its membership and boost the number of under-represented groups.
The 2017 Oscars saw Black actors nominated, including Mahershala Ali who won Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘Moonlight,’ which also won Best Picture. But Reign has said the Academy has a long way to go.
(Getty Images)
The 89th Academy Awards ended with a shocker. Faye Dunaway, who presented the final award of the night along with Warren Beatty, mistakenly announced ‘La La Land’ as the Best Picture winner. It turns out that ‘Moonlight’ won the coveted prize.
(Eddy Chen/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Warren Beatty, who presented the award along with Faye Dunaway, explained on stage that the envelope he opened read “Emma Stone – La La Land.” He had paused for a long time before showing the envelope to Dunaway, who then announced “La La Land” as the winner.
“La La Land" producer Jordan Horowitz, left, presenter Warren Beatty, center, and host Jimmy Kimmel right, look at an envelope announcing "Moonlight" as best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
The cast of "Moonlight" and ""La La Land" appear on stage as presenter Warren Beatty (C), flanked by host Jimmy Kimmel (L) shows the winner's envelope for Best Movie "Moonlight" on stage at the 89th Oscars on Feb. 26, 2017 in Hollywood, Calif. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)
The crowd was visibly shocked when hearing news of the massive mix-up.
The star-studded crowd at the Oscars reacts in shock when "Moonlight" is revealed as the best picture winner. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
It was a chaotic ending to an otherwise drama-free show, which also saw Emma Stone, Casey Affleck, Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali take home Oscar statuettes.
Actors Mahersala Ali, Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Casey Affleck pose in the press room during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on Feb. 26, 2017.
Adrien Brody spoke for a record five minutes and 40 seconds after winning Best Actor for his role in ‘The Brutalist’ at the 2025 Academy Awards.
Adrien Brody walks to accept the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "The Brutalist" during the 97th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 2, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
The orchestra attempted to play him off, but Brody refused to end his speech. ‘I’m wrapping up, please, please, please, I will wrap up,” he said. “Please turn the music off. I’ve done this before, it’s not my first rodeo. Thank you.’
Adrien Brody accepts his Best Actor award at the 97th Oscars on March 2, 2025. (Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Actress Greer Garson held the previous record for longest Oscar acceptance speech at 5 minutes and 30 seconds at the 1943 Academy Awards. She won for her role in ‘Mrs. Miniver.’
Van Heflin, Greer Garson, James Cagney, and Teresa Wright hold their Oscars on March 8, 1943. (Getty)
The Academy Awards orchestra often attempts to nudge winners off the stage with music when speeches go long , but always to mixed results.
The orchestra performs onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards on March 10, 2024. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Roger Ross Williams made history in 2010 by becoming the first Black director to win a Best Short Documentary Oscar for ‘Music by Prudence.’
Prudence Mabhena and Roger Ross Williams attend the screening of "Music by Prudence" at The Refectory on May 22, 2010 in Metuchen, New Jersey. (Andy Kropa/Getty Images)
Elinor Burkett, the film’s estranged producer, rushed the stage, ambushed William’s acceptance speech and overshadowed the moment.
As Roger Ross Williams accepts an Oscar for Prudence, the film’s producer, Elinor Burkett, rushes the stage and takes the mic. (Getty Images)
The ambush led to a comparison of the incident to that of Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
Kanye West takes the microphone from Taylor Swift and speaks onstage during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 13, 2009 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage)