Oscar Statuette | Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Home / Oscars / Oscar Statuette Oscar Statuette The most recognized trophy in the world, the Oscar statuette has stood on the mantels of the greatest filmmakers in history since 1929. Shortly after the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927, the fledgling organization held a dinner in the Crystal Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles to set out its goals. Among the topics discussed that night was how best to honor outstanding moviemaking achievements and thereby encourage excellence in all facets of motion picture production. Agreeing to institute an annual award, the group turned its attention to creating a suitably majestic trophy. MGM art director Cedric Gibbons designed a statuette of a knight standing on a reel of film gripping a crusader’s sword. The Academy tapped Los Angeles sculptor George Stanley to realize the design in three dimensions – and the world-renowned statuette was born.

A Knight Called Oscar Since the initial awards banquet on May 16, 1929, in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Blossom Room, 2,947 statuettes have been presented. Each January, additional new golden statuettes are cast, molded, polished and buffed by R.S. Owens & Company, the Chicago-based awards manufacturer retained by the Academy since 1982. Oscar stands 13½ inches tall and weighs in at a robust 8½ pounds. The film reel features five spokes, signifying the five original branches of the Academy: actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers. Although the statuette remains true to its original design, the size of the base varied until 1945, when the current standard was adopted. Officially named the Academy Award of Merit, the statuette is better known by its nickname, Oscar. While the origins of the moniker aren’t clear, a popular story has it that upon seeing the trophy for the first time, Academy librarian (and eventual executive director) Margaret Herrick remarked that it resembled her Uncle Oscar.

The Academy didn’t adopt the nickname officially until 1939, but it was widely known enough by 1934 that Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky used it in a piece referring to Katharine Hepburn’s first Best Actress win. The Stuff that Dreams are Made Of The statuettes presented at the initial ceremonies were gold-plated solid bronze. Within a few years the bronze was abandoned in favor of britannia metal, a pewter-like alloy which is then plated in copper, nickel silver, and finally, 24-karat gold. Due to a metal shortage during World War II, Oscars® were made of painted plaster for three years. Following the war, the Academy invited recipients to redeem the plaster figures for gold-plated metal ones. Achievements in up to 25 regular categories will be honored on February 28, 2016, at the 88th Academy Awards presentation at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. However, the Academy won’t know how many statuettes it will hand out until the envelopes are opened on Oscar Night®.

Although the number of categories are known in advance, the possibility of ties and of multiple recipients sharing the prize in some categories makes it impossible to predict the exact number of statuettes to be awarded. As in previous years, any surplus awards will be housed in the Academy’s vault until next year’s event. More than 80 years after that auspicious gathering in Hollywood, Oscar’s success as a symbol of filmmaking achievement would probably amaze those who attended the dinner, as it would its designer, Cedric Gibbons. Oscars: Who Came Up With the Name "Oscar" and More About the Statuette's History (Video) | Hollywood Reporter Oscars: Who Came Up With the Name "Oscar" and More About the Statuette's History (Video) 9:44 AM PST 2/18/2015 by Hilary Lewis COMMENTS THR Plus past winners Whoopi Goldberg, Benicio Del Toro, Helen Mirren and others recall how amazing it is to get the nod. Why are the Academy Awards called the Oscars? Who came up with the "Oscar" name to refer to the awards handed out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences?

Oscar historian Robert Osborne answers that question in a new video from the Academy that explores the history of Hollywood's most wanted golden man. Osborne explains that there are three people who claim to have nicknamed the statuette "Oscar," something that happened around 1935, roughly the seventh or eighth year of the Academy Awards. Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky, who got tired of writing about "the gold statue of the academy," said he started calling it "Oscar" in his column after a vaudeville joke involving the name. The second person to take credit for the Oscar name was former Academy librarian and later executive director Margaret Herrick, who said she named it "Oscar" after an uncle of hers by the same name. The third person, Bette Davis, claims she named it "Oscar" because the rear end of the statue reminded her of her husband when he got out of the shower in the morning. In terms of how the Academy decided to give out the statuette at its first ceremony in 1929, Osborne says there was talk of handing out a plaque or a scroll.

MGM art director Cedric Gibbons ended up sketching what became the award, which was sculpted by George Stanley. The Oscar is 13.5 inches tall and weighs 8.5 pounds and features a knight, holding a crusader's sword, standing on a reel of film with five spokes, representing the original five branches of The Academy. The video also features past winners Whoopi Goldberg, Benicio Del Toro, Helen Mirren, Jane Fonda and Ben Kingsley talking about what it means to win an Oscar. "We do all love a gold star," Mirren says. "It makes us feel proud, that we've achieved something." Goldberg adds: "No matter how cool everyone says they are, everybody wants one. It's your moment and there aren't that many moments that people aspire to because everybody tries to act like it's not a big deal. It's a huge deal." Oscars 2015: 5 things we loved - CNN.com Oscars 2015: 5 things we loved By Todd Leopold , CNN Updated 6:11 PM ET, Mon February 23, 2015 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger.

Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. JUST WATCHED "Glory" got a rousing ovation Lady Gaga even impressed Julie Andrews Oscars did have some awkward moments (CNN) "Birdman" will go into the history books as 2014's best picture winner, but the 87th Academy Awards will also be remembered for a handful of stirring moments -- and a few awkward ones: 'Glory' gets the glory Common and John Legend's song "Glory," written for the film "Selma," had the Oscar crowd visibly moved with its rousing message, accompanied by a full gospel chorus. David Oyelowo, who played Martin Luther King Jr. in the film, had tears running down his face. David Oyelowo crying pic.twitter.com/hZPXQXdWNA After winning the Oscar, both Common and Legend used their speeches for some eloquent points. Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights Michael Keaton, front left, and "Birdman" director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu accept the Academy Award for best picture along with other members of the film's cast and crew.

"Birdman" also won three other Oscars: best director, best cinematography and best original screenplay. Hide Caption 1 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights Host Neil Patrick Harris presents his Oscar predictions, which were kept locked in a briefcase on stage during the show. Hide Caption 2 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights Matthew McConaughey presents Julianne Moore with the best actress Oscar for her role in "Still Alice." Hide Caption 3 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights Eddie Redmayne is congratulated after winning best actor for his performance as Stephen Hawking in "The Theory of Everything." Hide Caption 4 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights "The Imitation Game" screenwriter Graham Moore accepts the award for the best adapted screenplay. "When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself because I felt weird. And I felt different. And I felt like I didn't belong," he said.

"And now I'm standing here, and so I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she's weird or she's different or she doesn't fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you do. You do. Stay weird; stay different." Hide Caption Lady Gaga introduces Julie Andrews after singing a tribute to "The Sound of Music." Hide Caption 6 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights John Travolta and Idina Menzel present an award together, referencing last year's flub when he mispronounced her name. Hide Caption 7 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights Travolta had a frisky night. Here he gives Scarlett Johansson a smooch and a squeeze on the red carpet. Hide Caption 8 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights Common, far left, and John Legend are congratulated by actor David Oyelowo and Oprah Winfrey after winning the Oscar for best original song.

Hide Caption 9 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights Legend and Common perform "Glory," their winning song from the film "Selma." The performance earned a standing ovation and brought some in the audience to tears -- including Oyelowo, who stars in the film as Martin Luther King Jr . Hide Caption 10 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights "Boyhood" co-star Patricia Arquette accepts the Oscar for best supporting actress. "We have fought for everybody else's equal rights. It's our time to have wage equality once and for all. And equal rights for women in the United Stares of America," she said to rousing applause. Hide Caption Harris returns to the stage in his underwear, referencing a scene from "Birdman." Hide Caption 12 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights From left, Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone of The Lonely Island take the stage for a rendition of the Oscar-nominated Tegan and Sara song "Everything is Awesome" from "The Lego Movie." Hide Caption 13 of 16 Photos: Oscars 2015: Highlights J.K.

Simmons accepts the best supporting actor Oscar for his role in "Whiplash." In the first acceptance speech of the night, he paid tribute to his family, praising his wife and his "above-average" children. He also put in a plug for actual phone calls. "Call your mom, call your dad; don't text, don't email; tell them you love them," he said. Hide Caption Jack Black performs during the show's opening number. Hide Caption Harris kicks off the show. He wasted no time poking fun at Hollywood. Hide Caption 16 of 16 "This bridge was once a landmark of a divided nation, but now is a symbol for change. The spirit of this bridge transcends race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and social status. ... This bridge was built on hope," said Common. Read More Complete winners list But Legend added a note of warning. "We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago, but we say Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now," he said, invoking threats to the Voting Rights Act and the level of correctional control of African-American men.

Patricia Arquette and equality Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Brie Larson accepts the best actress award at the 88th annual Academy Awards on February 28, 2016. Larson won for her role in "Room." Here are all the other actresses who have captured the prize over the years: Hide Caption 1 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Janet Gaynor (1929) – Douglas Fairbanks Sr. hands Janet Gaynor her best actress Oscar in 1929 for Gaynor's performance in the 1927 film ''Sunrise." It was the first best actress Oscar ever awarded. Hide Caption 2 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Mary Pickford (1930) – In 1930, there were actually two Oscar ceremonies.

Actress Mary Pickford, seen here, receives her best actress Oscar in April 1930 for her performance in the 1929 film "Coquette." Hide Caption 3 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Norma Shearer (1930) – Norma Shearer receives a best actress Oscar in October 1930 for her role in "The Divorcee." Giving her the award is Conrad Nagel, who starred with her in the film released earlier that year. Hide Caption 4 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Marie Dressler (1931) – Marie Dressler and Lionel Barrymore collect their best actress and best actor Oscars in 1931. Dressler won for "Min and Bill" and Barrymore won for "A Free Soul." Hide Caption 5 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Helen Hayes (1932) – Film producer Louis B. Mayer presents the best actress Oscar to Helen Hayes for her role in "The Sin of Madelon Claudet." Hide Caption 6 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Katharine Hepburn (1934) – Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

and Katharine Hepburn appear in the 1933 film "Morning Glory." Hepburn's performance earned her the best actress Oscar in 1934. There was no Academy Awards ceremony in 1933; films from that year and the last half of 1932 were eligible to win at the 1934 ceremony. Hide Caption 7 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Claudette Colbert (1935) – Claudette Colbert won the best actress Oscar in 1935 for "It Happened One Night," a film that was the first to win all five of the major Academy Award categories -- best picture, best director, best actor, best actress and best screenplay. Hide Caption 8 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Bette Davis (1936) – Bette Davis and film producer Jack L. Warner hold Davis' best actress Oscar at the ceremony held in 1936.

Davis won her first Oscar for her role in the film "Dangerous." Hide Caption 9 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Luise Rainer (1937) – Luise Rainer, second from left, is seen at the 1937 ceremony with, from left, Louis B. Mayer, Louise Tracy and Frank Capra. Rainer won for "The Great Ziegfeld." Hide Caption 10 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Luise Rainer (1938) – For her performance in "The Good Earth," Luise Rainer won the best actress Oscar for the second consecutive year.

Hide Caption Bette Davis (1939) – Bette Davis won her second Oscar in 1939, this time for "Jezebel." Hide Caption 12 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Vivien Leigh (1940) – Vivien Leigh accepts her Oscar in 1940 for her performance in "Gone With the Wind." Hide Caption 13 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Ginger Rogers (1941) – Actors James Stewart and Ginger Rogers smile after winning Oscars in 1941.

Stewart won best actor for his performance in "The Philadelphia Story," while Rogers won best actress for her performance in "Kitty Foyle: The Natural History of a Woman." Hide Caption 14 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Joan Fontaine (1942) – Joan Fontaine looks at the best actress Oscar she won for her role in the film "Suspicion." Hide Caption 15 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Greer Garson (1943) – After winning the best actress Oscar in 1943, Greer Garson gets a congratulatory kiss from her "Mrs. Miniver" co-star Walter Pidgeon. Hide Caption 16 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Jennifer Jones (1944) – Jennifer Jones holds the best actress Oscar she won in 1944 for her performance in "Song of Bernadette." To her right is actress Ingrid Bergman. Hide Caption 17 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Ingrid Bergman (1945) – Ingrid Bergman didn't have to wait long to hold her own best actress award.

Here, she poses with the Oscar she earned for her role in the film "Gaslight." Hide Caption 18 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Joan Crawford (1946) – Joan Crawford receives her Academy Award in bed because of an illness. She was recognized for her performance in the 1945 film "Mildred Pierce." Hide Caption 19 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Olivia de Havilland (1947) – Olivia de Havilland receives her best actress Oscar from actor Ray Milland for her performance in "To Each His Own." Hide Caption 20 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Loretta Young (1948) – Loretta Young, second from left, won the best actress Oscar in 1948 for her role in "Farmer's Daughter." Hide Caption 21 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Jane Wyman (1949) – Jane Wyman stands by a doorway backstage at the Academy Awards.

She won her best actress Oscar for the film "Johnny Belinda." Hide Caption 22 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Olivia de Havilland (1950) – Olivia de Havilland looks at her two best actress Oscars. She won her second in 1950 for her role in "The Heiress." Hide Caption 23 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Judy Holliday (1951) – Judy Holliday bursts into tears in 1951 after winning the best actress Oscar for her performance in "Born Yesterday." Hide Caption 24 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Vivien Leigh (1952) – Vivien Leigh appears with Karl Malden in "A Streetcar Named Desire." Her performance in the film earned her a second Oscar. Hide Caption 25 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Shirley Booth (1953) – Shirley Booth wins the best actress Oscar for "Come Back, Little Sheba" in 1953.

Hide Caption 26 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Audrey Hepburn (1954) – Audrey Hepburn is surrounded by reporters as she holds her best actress Oscar for "Roman Holiday." Hide Caption 27 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Grace Kelly (1955) – Grace Kelly poses with her Oscar after the Academy Awards ceremony in 1955. She won the statuette for her role in "The Country Girl." Hide Caption 28 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Anna Magnani (1956) – Anna Magnani enthusiastically holds the Oscar she won for "Rose Tattoo." The award was presented to her by U.S. Ambassador Clare Luce at the Villa Taverna in Rome. Hide Caption 29 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Ingrid Bergman (1957) – Ingrid Bergman, right, appears with Helen Hayes in a scene from the movie "Anastasia." Her performance earned her a second Oscar for best actress.

Hide Caption 30 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Joanne Woodward (1958) – Joanne Woodward smiles while holding her best actress Oscar (and a cigarette). She received the award for her role in the film "Three Faces of Eve." Hide Caption 31 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Susan Hayward (1959) – From left, actor Burl Ives, actress Susan Hayward and actor David Niven pose with their Oscars in 1959.

Hayward won for her role in "I Want to Live!" Hide Caption 32 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Simone Signoret (1960) – Actress Simone Signoret, seen here next to actor Rock Hudson at the Academy Awards ceremony in 1960, won the best actress Oscar for her role in "Room at the Top." Hide Caption 33 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Elizabeth Taylor (1961) – Elizabeth Taylor is seen with her Oscar after being named best actress for her part in "Butterfield 8." Hide Caption Sophia Loren (1962) – Sophia Loren reacts after winning best actress for the film "La Ciociara." Hide Caption 35 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Anne Bancroft (1963) – Anne Bancroft cries in her New York apartment as she accepts a congratulatory phone call following her win for "The Miracle Worker." Hide Caption 36 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Patricia Neal (1964) – Patricia Neal and her three children look at her Oscar statuette, which she won in 1964 for her role in "

Hud." Hide Caption 37 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Julie Andrews (1965) – Julie Andrews looks at the Academy Award she won for "Mary Poppins'" in 1965.

The role was her film debut. Hide Caption 38 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Julie Christie (1966) – Julie Christie is seen with her Academy Award, which she won for her role in "Darling." Hide Caption 39 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Elizabeth Taylor (1967) – Elizabeth Taylor holds up her second Oscar, this one for the film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." Hide Caption 40 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Katharine Hepburn (1968) – Katharine Hepburn and Cecil Kellaway appear in a scene from "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." Hepburn won her second Oscar more than 30 years after her first. Hide Caption 41 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Barbra Streisand (1969) – Barbra Streisand gazes at the best actress statuette she won for "Funny Girl." There was a tie for the award in 1969, with the other winner being Katharine Hepburn.

Hide Caption 42 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Katharine Hepburn (1969) – Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole appear in "The Lion in Winter." The film earned Hepburn her third Oscar for best actress. Hide Caption 43 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Maggie Smith (1970) – Maggie Smith, who won for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," celebrates with her husband at the time, Robert Stephens.

Hide Caption 44 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Glenda Jackson (1971) – Glenda Jackson won the best actress Oscar for her part in "Women In Love." Hide Caption Jane Fonda (1972) – Jane Fonda cradles the best actress Oscar she received for "Klute." Hide Caption Liza Minnelli (1973) – Liza Minnelli holds the Oscar she won for "Cabaret." Hide Caption 47 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Glenda Jackson (1974) – George Segal and Glenda Jackson appear in a scene from "A Touch of Class," which snagged Jackson the best actress Oscar in 1974. Hide Caption 48 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Ellen Burstyn (1975) – Ellen Burstyn, left, appears in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," which won her the best actress Oscar in 1975.

Hide Caption 49 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Louise Fletcher (1976) – From left, producer Saul Zaentz, actor Jack Nicholson, actress Louise Fletcher and producer Michael Douglas pose with their Oscars at the 1976 Academy Awards ceremony. They all won for the film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," which swept the major categories that year. Hide Caption 50 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Faye Dunaway (1977) – Faye Dunaway rests by the Beverly Hills Hotel swimming pool the morning after she received the best actress Oscar for "Network." Hide Caption 51 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Diane Keaton (1978) – Diane Keaton places her Oscar on a restaurant table after the Academy Awards ceremony in 1978.

She received the award for her role in "Annie Hall." Hide Caption 52 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Jane Fonda (1979) – Jane Fonda is ecstatic about winning her second Academy Award, this one for "Coming Home." Hide Caption 53 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Sally Field (1980) – Sally Field accepts the best actress Oscar for her role in "Norma Rae." Hide Caption 54 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Sissy Spacek (1981) – Sissy Spacek accepts the best actress Oscar for her role in the film "Coal Miner's Daughter." Hide Caption 55 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Katharine Hepburn (1982) – Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn appear in a scene from "On Golden Pond," which won Hepburn her fourth Oscar for best actress.

Hide Caption Meryl Streep (1983) – Meryl Streep holds her best actress Oscar for "Sophie's Choice." Hide Caption 57 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Shirley MacLaine (1984) – Shirley MacLaine accepts her Oscar in 1984. She won for her performance in "Terms of Endearment." Hide Caption 58 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Sally Field (1985) – Sally Field holds the best actress Oscar in the press room at the Academy Awards.

She won the award, her second, for her role in "Places in the Heart." Hide Caption Geraldine Page (1986) – Geraldine Page wins best actress for "The Trip to Bountiful." Hide Caption 60 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Marlee Matlin (1987) – Hearing-impaired actress Marlee Matlin uses sign language while holding the Academy Award she won for "Children of a Lesser God." Hide Caption 61 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Cher (1988) – Cher wears that dress in 1988, when she won the Academy Award for "Moonstruck." Hide Caption 62 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Jodie Foster (1989) – Jodie Foster holds her Oscar in the press room after winning for her role in "The Accused." Hide Caption 63 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Jessica Tandy (1990) – Jessica Tandy acknowledges applause after receiving the Oscar for her role in "Driving Miss Daisy." Hide Caption 64 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Kathy Bates (1991) –

 Kathy Bates, far left, clutches the best actress award for her role in "Misery." To her left are fellow Oscar winners Jeremy Irons, Whoopi Goldberg and Joe Pesci.

Hide Caption 65 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Jodie Foster (1992) – Jodie Foster holds up her second Oscar, this one for her role in "The Silence of the Lambs." Hide Caption 66 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Emma Thompson (1993) – Emma Thompson poses with her Oscar after winning best actress for her role in "Howards End." Hide Caption 67 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Holly Hunter (1994) – Holly Hunter poses in the press room after being awarded the best actress Oscar for her performance in "The Piano." Hide Caption 68 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Jessica Lange (1995) – Jessica Lange holds the Oscar she won for her role in the film "Blue Sky." Hide Caption Susan Sarandon (1996) – Susan Sarandon accepts the Oscar for her role in "Dead Man Walking." Hide Caption 70 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Frances McDormand (1997) – Frances McDormand, who won best actress for her role in "Fargo," poses with Geoffrey Rush, who won best

 actor that year.

Hide Caption 71 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Helen Hunt (1998) – Helen Hunt holds her Oscar after winning for "As Good As It Gets." Hide Caption 72 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Gwyneth Paltrow (1999) – Gwyneth Paltrow cries as she receives the best actress Oscar for "Shakespeare in Love." Hide Caption 73 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Hilary Swank (2000) – Actor Roberto Benigni presents Hilary Swank, who won the best actress Oscar for the film "Boys Don't Cry." Hide Caption Julia Roberts (2001) – Julia Roberts holds her Oscar for her role in "Erin Brockovich." Hide Caption 75 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Halle Berry (2002) – Halle Berry celebrates as she holds her Oscar for "Monster's Ball." Berry is the only African-American to win the Oscar for best actress.

Hide Caption Nicole Kidman (2003) – Nicole Kidman accepts her award for her role in "The Hours." Hide Caption Charlize Theron (2004) – Charlize Theron poses with her Oscar after winning for the film "Monster." Hide Caption 78 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Hilary Swank (2005) – Hilary Swank grabbed her second Academy Award in 2005 for the film "Million Dollar Baby." Hide Caption 79 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Reese Witherspoon (2006) – Reese Witherspoon kisses then-husband Ryan Phillippe before going on stage to accept the best actress award for "Walk the Line." Hide Caption 80 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Helen Mirren (2007) – Director Taylor Hackford kisses his wife, Helen Mirren, after Mirren won the best actress Oscar for her role in "The Queen." Hide Caption 81 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Marion Cotillard (2008) – Marion Cotillard accepts the Oscar for her role in "La Vie en Rose." Hide Caption Kate Wins

let (2009) – Kate Winslet reacts after winning the best actress Oscar for "The Reader." Hide Caption 83 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Sandra Bullock (2010) – Best actress Sandra Bullock gives her acceptance speech after winning for "The Blind Side." Hide Caption 84 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Natalie Portman (2011) – Natalie Portman poses in the press room after winning the best actress Oscar for "Black Swan." Hide Caption 85 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Meryl Streep (2012) – Meryl Streep, right, laughs with Sandra Bullock after Streep's win for her role in "The Iron Lady." Hide Caption 86 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Jennifer Lawrence (2013) – Jennifer Lawrence charms the audience in 2013 as she accepts the best actress Oscar for her performance in "Silver Linings Playbook." Hide Caption 87 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Cate Blanchett (2014) – Cate Blanchett won an Oscar in 2014 for her turn

 as a modern-day Blanche DuBois in the Woody Allen film "Blue Jasmine." Hide Caption 88 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actresses Matthew McConaughey presents Julianne Moore with the Oscar for best actress at the 87th Academy Awards in 2015.

She won for her role in "Still Alice." Hide Caption 89 of 89 Patricia Arquette won best supporting actress for playing an independent-minded mother in "Boyhood." She stood up for her character -- and all women -- in her acceptance speech. "To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else's equal rights, it's our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America," she said. Meryl Streep was so struck she stood up, pointing in solidarity. A video posted by Hollywood Reporter (@hollywoodreporter) on Feb 22, 2015 at 7:45pm PST The power of Gaga Photos: Oscars fashion 2015 Photos: Oscars fashion 2015 Reese Witherspoon arrives at the 87th Academy Awards in Hollywood. She is one of several celebs calling for more substance to red carpet interviews beyond "Who are you wearing?" - prompting the social media hashtag #AskHerMore . Click through the gallery for more from the 2015 Oscars.

Hide Caption Actress Lupita Nyong'o wore this instantly famous, pearl-laden dress. Hide Caption Disney actress Zendaya arrives on the red carpet Hide Caption John Travolta and Scarlett Johansson Hide Caption Jennifer Aniston, left, and Emma Stone Hide Caption Lady Gaga, left, and Keira Knightley Hide Caption Ed Norton and Shauna Robertson Hide Caption Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum Hide Caption Jeff Goldblum, left, and Adrien Brody Hide Caption Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman Hide Caption Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch Hide Caption J.K. Simmons and his wife, Michelle Schumacher Hide Caption Robin Roberts and Steve Carell Hide Caption Behati Prinsloo and Adam Levine Hide Caption Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and his wife, Maria Eladia Hagerman Hide Caption Ethan Hawke and his wife, Ryan Hide Caption Joanna Newsom and Andy Samberg Hide Caption Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris Hide Caption Hide Caption 50 of 50 Lady Gaga often hides her musical talent behind attention-getting outfits, including a meat dress and -- at tonight's Oscars -- some dishwashing-like red gloves.

But the Grammys have shown she's a heck of a pianist, and at the Oscars she let her voice roar on a medley from "The Sound of Music." Julie Andrews herself was awed by Gaga's performance, applauding and thanking her. Suicide in the spotlight An excited Graham Moore, who won best adapted screenplay for "The Imitation Game," started his speech almost beside himself with joy. But after a breath, he turned somber. "When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself," he said. "Because I felt weird, and I felt different, and I felt like I did not belong. And now I'm standing here, and I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she's weird or she's different or doesn't fit anywhere. Yes, you do." Congratulations Graham Moore. That speech was so beautiful. You should think about being a writer. #Oscars2015 — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) February 23, 2015 serious cheers to @MrGrahamMoore for a thoughtful, honest, unselfish and fantastically delivered speech.

#Oscars2015 — j.r. havlan (@JRHavlan) February 23, 2015 What a brave, moving acceptance speech by Graham Moore!!! Chicago is proud of you! — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) February 23, 2015 Early in the evening, the Oscar for best documentary short went to "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1," a film about the struggles of returning veterans. As part of her acceptance speech, Dana Perry, one of the producers, dedicated her Oscar to her son. He suffered from bipolar disorder and committed suicide in 2005. "We should talk about suicide out loud," she said. Resources for suicide awareness and prevention include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and The Trevor Project. A little awkwardness Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Leonardo DiCaprio accepts the best actor award at the 88th annual Academy Awards on February 28, 2016.

DiCaprio won for his role in "The Revenant." Here are the actors whose footsteps he has followed in: Hide Caption 1 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Emil Jannings (1929) – The first best actor Oscar went to Emil Jannings at the academy's inaugural ceremony held in 1929. Jannings received the honors for two films: 1927's "The Way of All Flesh" and 1928's "The Last Command." Hide Caption 2 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Warner Baxter (1930) – Warner Baxter, right, earned the best actor Oscar for his role as the Cisco Kid in "In Old Arizona" (1929). Baxter appears here with best actress winner Mary Pickford at the April 1930 awards ceremony, which recognized films made between August 1, 1928, and July 31, 1929. Baxter loved the role so much he reprised it twice more, in "The Cisco Kid" (1931) and again in "The Return of the Cisco Kid" (1939).

Hide Caption 3 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors George Arliss (1930) – George Arliss won the best actor Oscar for "Disraeli," apparently also beating himself since he was nominated for that film and "The Green Goddess." In the early years of the Oscar, a single nomination could recognize more than one role. However, for reasons not entirely clear, the actor won solely for "Disraeli." Perhaps it was a glitch on behalf of the academy, or perhaps voters truly preferred his portrayal as the famed British prime minister. The November 1930 awards ceremony recognized work from 1929 and 1930. Hide Caption 4 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Lionel Barrymore (1931) – Lionel Barrymore, here with "Min and Bill" best actress winner Marie Dressler, won the best actor Oscar for his work in "A Free Soul." Barrymore played an alcoholic lawyer whose daughter gets involved with a mobster he helped go free.

Hide Caption 5 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Wallace Beery (1932) – The previous year's Oscar winner Lionel Barrymore, left, presents Wallace Beery, right, with the best actor Oscar for "The Champ." Beery tied that year with Fredric March in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Hide Caption 6 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Fredric March (1932) – Fredric March, right, was honored the same year as Wallace Beery for "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Beery actually received one less vote than March, which it resulted in a tie winner according to academy rules of the day. Hide Caption 7 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Charles Laughton (1934) – British actor Charles Laughton won the best actor Oscar for the title role "The Private Life of Henry VIII" (1933), beating out Leslie Howard in "Berkeley Square" (1933) and Paul Muni in "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" (1932).

The sixth awards ceremony was held in March 1934 and recognized movies released from August 1, 1932, to December 31, 1933. Hide Caption 8 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Clark Gable (1935) – Clark Gable's status as a Hollywood icon was cemented when the box-office star won the best actor Oscar for Frank Capra's "It Happened One Night" (1934). The screwball comedy was a massive hit with academy voters at the February 1935 ceremony, sweeping the five big categories -- best picture, best director (Capra), best adapted screenplay and best actress (Claudette Colbert). Hide Caption 9 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Victor McLaglen (1936) – Victor McLaglen, left, beat out two earlier Oscar winners to claim the best actor prize for "The Informer." He was up against Charles Laughton and Clark Gable, both nominated for their roles in best picture winner "Mutiny on the Bounty." McLaglen appears with best actress winner Bette Davis and filmmaker D.W.

Griffith of "The Birth of a Nation" fame at the March 1936 ceremony. Hide Caption 10 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Paul Muni (1937) – After two earlier best actor nominations, Paul Muni finally won for the title role in "The Story of Louis Pasteur," the first of several biographical films he made at Warner Bros. Hide Caption 11 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Spencer Tracy (1938) – Spencer Tracy, left, with co-star Freddie Bartholomew, won his first best actor Oscar as a Portuguese fisherman in "Captains Courageous." He beat out Oscar-winning actors Fredric March in "A Star Is Born" and Paul Muni in "The Life of Emile Zola." It was Tracy's second nomination. Hide Caption 12 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Spencer Tracy (1939) – Spencer Tracy takes home his second best actor Oscar for "Boys Town." He appears here with Bette Davis, best actress for "Jezebel," at the ceremony held in 1939.

Hide Caption 13 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Robert Donat (1940) – Robert Donat's Oscar win for "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" was definitely a surprise. Donat earned the honors for his title role as a schoolteacher, beating out some strong performances, including Clark Gable in "Gone With the Wind," James Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and Laurence Olivier in "Wuthering Heights." Hide Caption 14 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors James Stewart (1941) – After losing the Oscar a year earlier for his iconic role in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," James Stewart received the award playing a reporter who falls for Katharine Hepburn in "The Philadelphia Story." Stewart and best actress winner Ginger Rogers celebrate their wins at the ceremony held in 1941.

Hide Caption 15 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Gary Cooper (1942) – James Stewart, right, bestows pal Gary Cooper with the statuette for "Sergeant York." Cooper nabbed the win over Orson Welles, whose "Citizen Kane" also lost out on the best picture award but has become the epitome of a Hollywood classic. Hide Caption 16 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors James Cagney (1943) – Gary Cooper, right, congratulates James Cagney for his best actor win in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" at the Oscar ceremony held in 1943. Cooper, also a nominee for "The Pride of the Yankees," didn't seem to hold a grudge against Cagney.

Hide Caption 17 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Paul Lukas (1944) – Character actor Paul Lukas faced stiff competition from stars Humphrey Bogart ("Casablanca") and Gary Cooper ("For Whom the Bell Tolls"), but he was able to take home the Oscar for "Watch on the Rhine." Lukas and best actress winner Jennifer Jones celebrate at the ceremony held in 1944. Hide Caption 18 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Bing Crosby (1945) – Bing Crosby, right, and co-star Barry Fitzgerald find a reason to celebrate after the 1945 awards ceremony. They won the best actor and best supporting actor awards, respectively, for "Going My Way." Hide Caption 19 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Ray Milland (1946) – Ray Milland had a prolific career for decades -- including a standout role in Alfred Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder" -- but he received only one Oscar nomination.

Luckily, he made it count, winning the best actor prize for his role as an alcoholic writer in "The Lost Weekend." Ingrid Bergman presents Milland with the prize at the 1946 ceremony. Hide Caption 20 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Fredric March (1947) – Fredric March, right, Dana Andrews, center, and Harold Russell struck a chord with postwar audiences as servicemen returning home in "The Best Years of Our Lives." March picked up his second Oscar for the role. Hide Caption 21 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Ronald Colman (1948) – Ronald Colman, far right, a star since the silent days, picked up the best actor Oscar as a jealous actor in "A Double Life." Coleman appears with the year's other winners at the 1948 ceremony -- from left, Darryl Zanuck, producer of best picture "Gentleman's Agreement," best actress Loretta Young, best supporting actor Edmund Gwenn and best supporting actress Celeste Holm.

Hide Caption 22 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Laurence Olivier (1949) – Laurence Olivier's commitment to bringing Shakespeare's "Hamlet" to the screen paid off handsomely at the Oscars. Olivier walked away with the best actor Oscar in the title role, and "Hamlet" also won for best picture. Here Olivier appears with best actress winner Jane Wyman in 1949. Hide Caption 23 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Broderick Crawford (1950) – Broderick Crawford, second from left, pushed past Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck, Richard Todd and John Wayne to win the best actor Oscar with "All the King's Men." Crawford appears with best supporting actress winner Mercedes McCambridge, far left, best actress winner Olivia de Havilland and best supporting actor winner Dean Jagger at the 1950 ceremony.

Hide Caption 24 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors José Ferrer (1951) – Puerto Rican-born José Ferrer became the first Hispanic to win an Oscar when he was named best actor for "Cyrano de Bergerac." Here he appears with Gloria Swanson, left, and Judy Holliday (best actress for "Born Yesterday") in 1951. Hide Caption 25 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Humphrey Bogart (1952) – Claire Trevor can't resist giving Humphrey Bogart a kiss backstage at the 1952 Oscars ceremony after he won the best actor award for "The African Queen." Bogart beat out Marlon Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire," Fredric March in "Death of a Salesman" and Montgomery Clift in "A Place in the Sun." Hide Caption 26 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Gary Cooper (1953) – Gary Cooper won his second best actor award for the classic Western "High Noon" with Grace Kelly.

Among Cooper's competitors were Kirk Douglas in "The Bad and the Beautiful," José Ferrer in "Moulin Rouge," Alec Guinness in "The Lavender Hill Mob" and Marlon Brando in "Viva Zapata!" Hide Caption 27 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors William Holden (1954) – William Holden celebrates his best actor win for "Stalag 17" with best supporting actress winner Donna Reed at the Oscar ceremony in 1954. It was the actor's second nomination; his first was for Billy Wilder's 1950 classic "Sunset Boulevard." Hide Caption 28 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Marlon Brando (1955) – Oscars host Bob Hope, right, might have tried, but there was no way Marlon Brando was parting with his best actor award at the 1955 ceremony.

Brando had lost three years in a row before then, but the actor's luck finally changed with "On the Waterfront." Hide Caption 29 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Ernest Borgnine (1956) – Ernest Borgnine faced heavy competition for best actor, beating out James Dean ("East of Eden"), Frank Sinatra ("The Man With the Golden Arm"), James Cagney ("Love Me or Leave Me") and Spencer Tracy ("Bad Day at Black Rock"). Backstage at the 1956 ceremony, Borgnine holds the Oscar for his portrayal of a lonely butcher in "Marty." Hide Caption 30 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Yul Brynner (1957) – Yul Brynner repeated his stage success as the King of Siam, winning the best actor Oscar for "The King and I." He's pictured at the 1957 ceremony.

Hide Caption 31 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Alec Guinness (1958) – British actor Alec Guinness will always be known to "Star Wars" fans as Obi-Wan Kenobi, but he had an illustrious career on stage and screen long before the George Lucas blockbuster.

After losing an earlier Oscar nomination, he finally won the best actor award as a World War II British officer in "The Bridge on the River Kwai." Hide Caption 32 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors David Niven (1959) – David Niven, right, joins fellow Oscar winners Burl Ives and Susan Hayward at the 1959 ceremony after winning the best actor award for "Separate Tables." The actor fought off competition from Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier, both up for "The Defiant Ones"; Paul Newman in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"; and Spencer Tracy in "The Old Man and the Sea." Hide Caption 33 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Charlton Heston (1960) – Charlton Heston helped "Ben-Hur" to win a record 11 Academy Awards, shutting out Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Paul Muni and Laurence Harvey as best actor. Heston appears with French actress Simone Signoret (best actress for "Room at the Top") at the 1960 ceremony.

Hide Caption 34 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Burt Lancaster (1961) – Burt Lancaster was a winner two times over at the 1961 Oscar ceremony. He won the best actor prize for the title role in "Elmer Gantry," and he had glamorous Elizabeth Taylor, best actress winner for "Butterfield 8," by his side backstage. Hide Caption 35 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Maximilian Schell (1962) – Maximilian Schell won the best actor Oscar over his "Judgment at Nuremberg" co-star Spencer Tracy. Schell had previously portrayed the character of German lawyer Hans Rolfe in a television version of "Judgment." Hide Caption 36 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Gregory Peck (1963) – Gregory Peck's performance as lawyer Atticus Finch in the film of Harper Lee's novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird," was a standout to academy voters.

He beat out some stiff competition for best actor: Peter O'Toole for "Lawrence of Arabia" and Burt Lancaster for "Birdman of Alcatraz." Here Peck and his wife, Veronique, attend an Oscar after-party in 1963. Hide Caption 37 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Sidney Poitier (1964) – Sidney Poitier became the first African-American to win the best actor Oscar -- for his work in "Lilies of the Field." Poitier had been nominated once before for "The Defiant Ones." Interestingly, Poitier was the only one of the four acting category winners present at the 1964 ceremony. Hide Caption 38 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Rex Harrison (1965) – Who didn't fall in love with "My Fair Lady"? The academy sure did. Rex Harrison took the best actor prize for his role as Henry Higgins at the 1965 ceremony, and the musical won best picture honors, among others.

But Audrey Hepburn's performance has Eliza Doolittle wasn't even nominated -- the Oscar went to Julie Andrews for "Mary Poppins." Hide Caption 39 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Lee Marvin (1966) – Lee Marvin won the Oscar for his comic role in "Cat Ballou" over dramatic heavyweights such as Laurence Olivier in "Othello," Richard Burton in "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold," Rod Steiger in "The Pawnbroker" and Oskar Werner in "Ship of Fools." Here, Marvin appears with then-girlfriend Michelle Triola in 1966.

Hide Caption 40 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Paul Scofield (1967) – Paul Scofield also was up against some heavyweight actors, particularly Richard Burton in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" But Scofield, here with Susannah York, won for his work as Thomas More in the period drama "A Man for All Seasons." Hide Caption 41 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Rod Steiger (1968) – Sidney Poitier may have been the star of the detective drama "In the Heat of the Night," but he was snubbed in the Oscars race. It wasn't that academy voters didn't love the movie though: "In the Heat of the Night" won best picture as well as best actor for Poitier's co-star, Rod Steiger, here holding his Oscar at the 1968 ceremony. Hide Caption 42 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Cliff Robertson (1969) – Cliff Robertson's portrayal of a mentally challenged man in the drama "Charly" was enough to bowl over competition such as Peter O'Toole and Alan Arkin.

Hide Caption 43 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors John Wayne (1970) – The best actor category was fierce the year John Wayne won the gold for "True Grit." In only his second nomination, the Hollywood legend beat out newcomers Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight in "Midnight Cowboy" as well as Richard Burton in "Anne of the Thousand Days" and Peter O'Toole in "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." Barbra Streisand congratulates Wayne at the 1970 ceremony. Hide Caption 44 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors George C. Scott (1971) – "Patton" features one of the most readily recognizable images in films -- that of George C. Scott's general standing in front of the American flag -- and it was as critically acclaimed as it was popular. But while "Patton" nabbed the best picture title and a best actor Oscar for Scott, the actor was having none of it.

He refused to accept the prize, calling the politics surrounding the ceremony "demeaning" and likening the Oscars to a "two-hour meat parade." Hide Caption 45 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Gene Hackman (1972) – Everyone wanted in on "The French Connection," and star Gene Hackman was rewarded handsomely with the best actor award at the 1972 ceremony. Hide Caption 46 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Marlon Brando (1973) – An Oscar is an honor most stars would never refuse, but Marlon Brando did when the academy bestowed him with the best actor prize for "The Godfather" at the 1973 ceremony. Brando, who had won the award once before, said he was protesting the portrayal of Native Americans on TV and in film. Hide Caption 47 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Jack Lemmon (1974) – The academy loved to nominate Jack Lemmon, but it wasn't always so quick to give him the prize. The star's luck changed when "Save the Tiger" earned him a best actor Oscar.

Hide Caption 48 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Art Carney (1975) – For Art Carney, there were two phrases that helped him secure the best actor Oscar for "Harry and Tonto." "Do it! You are old," words of wisdom that came from his agent. Hide Caption 49 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Jack Nicholson (1976) – After losing out four times as an Oscar nominee, Jack Nicholson triumphantly claimed his prize for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Hide Caption 50 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Peter Finch (1977) – "Network's" Peter Finch faced some tough competition for the best actor award. He was up against Robert De Niro in "Taxi Driver" and Sylvester Stallone in best picture winner "Rocky" as well as his "Network" co-star, William Holden. Finch died two months before the March 1977 ceremony and became the first actor to win an Oscar posthumously.

Hide Caption 51 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Richard Dreyfuss (1978) – John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever" and Woody Allen in "Annie Hall" have become prime examples of characters in '70s films, but Richard Dreyfuss' performance as a struggling actor in "The Goodbye Girl" stood out the most to academy voters at the time. Here the actor accepts his prize at the 1978 ceremony. Hide Caption 52 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Jon Voight (1979) – Jon Voight had been nominated for a best actor Oscar once before for 1969's "Midnight Cowboy," but it was the Vietnam War drama "Coming Home" that finally earned him the honors. Hide Caption 53 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Dustin Hoffman (1980) – Like Jack Nicholson before him, Dustin Hoffman was forever the bridesmaid and never the bride.

But after losing for "Midnight Cowboy," "The Graduate" and "Lenny," Hoffman got to accept the award at the 1980 ceremony, thanks to his work in best picture winner "Kramer vs. Kramer." Hide Caption 54 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Robert De Niro (1981) – Robert De Niro faced movie greats such as Peter O'Toole and Jack Lemmon in the best actor category. De Niro had already won the best supporting actor Oscar for "The Godfather: Part II," and academy voters couldn't help but hand him the best actor prize for "Raging Bull" -- especially since he gained nearly 60 pounds to play Jake LaMotta as an aging boxer. Hide Caption 55 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Henry Fonda (1982) – After being a movie legend for more than 40 years, Henry Fonda won his first competitive Oscar for "On Golden Pond." His co-star, Katharine Hepburn, also shined in the movie as his wife, picking up her fourth best actress prize.

Hide Caption 56 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Ben Kingsley (1983) – Ben Kingsley's portrayal in "Gandhi" was the performance to beat in that year's best actor Oscar race, and neither Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie" nor Paul Newman in "The Verdict" could compete. Hide Caption 57 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Robert Duvall (1984) – Robert Duvall won the best actor prize for his performance as a country singer in "Tender Mercies." Hide Caption 58 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors F. Murray Abraham (1985) – F. Murray Abraham's performance as Salieri in "Amadeus" rocked academy voters, who named him best actor.

Hide Caption 59 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors William Hurt (1986) – "Out of Africa" dominated the Oscars at the 1986 ceremony, but William Hurt picked up the best actor award for his portrayal of a gay imprisoned man in "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Hide Caption 60 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Paul Newman (1987) – Paul Newman's performance in "The Color of Money" struck Oscar gold. It was the actor's first competitive Oscar win, but he wasn't there to accept it -- he'd joked that, after showing up and losing six other times, he might finally nab the prize if he stayed away. Hide Caption 61 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Michael Douglas (1988) – Gordon Gekko's creed of greed was very, very good to Michael Douglas. The star -- and son of another frequent Oscar nominee, Kirk Douglas -- earned his first Oscar nomination and first win for best actor for his role as the ruthless corporate raider in "Wall Street." Here Douglas appears with Marlee Matlin at the 1988 ceremony.

Hide Caption 62 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Dustin Hoffman (1989) – Awards came pouring in for "Rain Man" with Dustin Hoffman, left, as an autistic savant and Tom Cruise as his younger brother. Hoffman picked up his second best actor Oscar and received congratulations from Cruise at the 1989 ceremony. Cruise wasn't even nominated, but he was probably just fine with starring in the best picture winner. Hide Caption 63 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Daniel Day-Lewis (1990) – Before Daniel Day-Lewis became so revered he could strike fear in the hearts of Oscar competitors, the British performer proved his mettle with the biopic "My Left Foot," earning his first best actor Oscar.

It was no easy task: Day-Lewis was up against Morgan Freeman in "Driving Miss Daisy," Kenneth Branagh in "Henry V," Tom Cruise in "Born on the Fourth of July" and Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society." Hide Caption 64 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Jeremy Irons (1991) – We suppose the academy couldn't justify giving Kevin Costner the best director, best picture and the best actor prize for "Dances With Wolves," so Jeremy Irons took home the statuette for best actor for his role as Claus von Bülow in "Reversal of Fortune." Hide Caption 65 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Anthony Hopkins (1992) – Anthony Hopkins absolutely killed as Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs," so it wasn't surprising that he secured the best actor Oscar for the role. Hide Caption 66 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Al Pacino (1993) – Before "Scent of a Woman," Al Pacino had been nominated for best actor four times and best supporting actor twice without winning.

But the star's moment to accept the best actor Oscar finally came at the 1993 ceremony. Pacino may have won for "Scent of a Woman," but he also lost that year in the best supporting actor category for "Glengarry Glen Ross." Hide Caption 67 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Tom Hanks (1994) – Little did anyone know that when Tom Hanks won the best actor Oscar for the legal drama "Philadelphia" he'd be back at the Oscars very soon, and in a very different role. Hide Caption 68 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Tom Hanks (1995) – Tom Hanks proved his versatility when he won the best actor Oscar for the second year in a row. His prize this time was for his performance as the mentally challenged but indefatigable "Forrest Gump." Hide Caption 69 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Nicolas Cage (1996) – Nicolas Cage may now be the butt of Internet jokes -- surely you've seen him swing from a "Wrecking Ball" ? -- but he was the man to beat at the 1996 Oscar ceremony.

Cage won the best actor prize for "Leaving Las Vegas," his first nomination and first win. Hide Caption 70 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Geoffrey Rush (1997) – Some actors languish as nominees for years before winning an Oscar, but Geoffrey Rush won the best actor prize on his first try with "Shine." Hide Caption 71 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Jack Nicholson (1998) – By now, everyone knew what a powerhouse Jack Nicholson was, but he reminded moviegoers again with "As Good as It Gets," picking up yet another best actor Oscar. Hide Caption 72 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Roberto Benigni (1999) – Italian actor Roberto Benigni was unknown to American audiences before "Life Is Beautiful," but he stole the show at the 1999 Oscars ceremony. The academy gave him the best actor Oscar for "Life Is Beautiful," which also won the prize for best foreign-language film.

Hide Caption 73 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Kevin Spacey (2000) – "American Beauty" was a cynical look at American middle class life with a new century arriving. Star Kevin Spacey received the best actor award for his portrayal of a middle-aged man who lusts after his teenage daughter's friend. The film also won best picture, director (Sam Mendes) and original screenplay (Alan Ball). Hide Caption 74 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Russell Crowe (2001) – The academy fawned over Russell Crowe's "Gladiator," a sword and sandals epic that picked up honors for best picture, best costume design, best sound, best visual effects and best actor -- the first win for the Australian Crowe. Hide Caption 75 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Denzel Washington (2002) – Denzel Washington has a reputation as a nice guy in Hollywood, so his transformation into the monstrous detective Alonzo in "Training Day" was incredible to watch.

After already winning a best supporting actor statuette for "Glory," Washington took home the best actor award for "Training Day," making him the first African-American to win both. Hide Caption 76 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Adrien Brody (2003) – Adrien Brody appeared so thrilled when he won best actor award for "The Pianist" he even got Oscar presenter Halle Berry caught up in the moment with a passionate kiss at the 2003 ceremony. "I bet they didn't tell you that was in the gift bag," he joked when he finished. It was his first nomination and win. Hide Caption 77 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Sean Penn (2004) – The Oscar race for best actor was a tough one when Sean Penn faced off with Jude Law for "Cold Mountain" and Bill Murray for "Lost in Translation," among others. In the end, it was Penn's work in "Mystic River" that earned him his first Academy Award.

Hide Caption 78 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Jamie Foxx (2005) – Before "Ray," Jamie Foxx was known primarily as a comedian -- the kind who would star in a popcorn flick like "Booty Call." But after his portrayal of singer Ray Charles in a musical biography, people realized he had been underestimated as an actor. The academy started paying attention, too, and gave Foxx two nominations for the 2005 ceremony: one for best actor for "Ray" and another for best supporting actor for "Collateral." He didn't win in the best supporting category, but we bet he's been able to live with that loss. Hide Caption 79 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Philip Seymour Hoffman (2006) – Philip Seymour Hoffman 's portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote" was the kind of rock-solid immersion audiences had come to expect from the actor. He got his due with the best actor award -- his only Oscar.

Hide Caption 80 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Forest Whitaker (2007) – Until "The Last King of Scotland," Forest Whitaker had been completely overlooked by the academy. But after he turned in a masterful portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, academy voters handed him the Oscar. Hide Caption 81 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Daniel Day-Lewis (2008) – If Daniel Day-Lewis is in the running, chances are there will be an award for him. The actor won his second best actor Oscar for "There Will Be Blood." He receives the award from Helen Mirren at the 2008 ceremony. Hide Caption 82 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Sean Penn (2009) – Sean Penn, here with best actress Kate Winslet, left, and best supporting actress Penelope Cruz, gave the performance of a lifetime as openly gay politician and activist Harvey Milk in "Milk." The academy rewarded Penn with his second best actor Oscar at the 2009 ceremony.

Hide Caption 83 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Jeff Bridges (2010) – Jeff Bridges was understandably ecstatic when he won the best actor Oscar for "Crazy Heart." Bridges had been nominated four times before, and, with competition from George Clooney in "Up in the Air" and Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker," his wasn't an obvious win. So when his name was called at the 2010 ceremony, Bridges relished the moment in his acceptance speech : "Thank you, mom and dad, for turning me on to such a groovy profession," he said. Hide Caption 84 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Colin Firth (2011) – Colin Firth's portrayal of King George VI's fight to overcome a speech impediment beat out Jesse Eisenberg ("The Social Network") and James Franco ("127 Hours"), among others, to win the best actor Oscar. Hide Caption 85 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Jean Dujardin (2012) – "The Artist," a silent, black-and-white movie, was a celebration of old-school film.

Its star, French actor Jean Dujardin, seemed to have a virtual lock on the best actor Oscar, even though he was competing against the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt. When awards night arrived in 2012, Dujardin walked away with the prize. Hide Caption 86 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Daniel Day-Lewis (2013) – Once again, the Oscar race for best actor was jam-packed with amazing performances, from Bradley Cooper in "Silver Linings Playbook" to Denzel Washington in "Flight." But Daniel Day-Lewis completely transformed himself into the 16th U.S. president for Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln," and he walked away with the honors at the 2013 ceremony, becoming the first three-time best actor winner. Hide Caption 87 of 89 Photos: Oscar-winning best actors Matthew McConaughey (2014) – Matthew McConaughey won the Oscar in 2014 for his role in "Dallas Buyers Club" as Ron Woodroof, an HIV-positive man who smuggles drugs to AIDS patients. Co-star Jared Leto was named best supporting actor. Hide Caption

Question: What does "Oscar" (the academy award) hold in his hands?
Answer: A SWORD