While the show's producers strive for perfection, one can never be wrong to prepare for the worst by looking back at some of the most memorable shocking incidents at the Academy Awards in the past.
- Feb 24, 2019
AceShowbiz - For being the biggest annual movie award event, all eyes would be on the 91st Academy Awards when it is held on Sunday, February 24. To ensure the whole show runs smoothly, preparation has begun months before the D-day. But with so many factors that are out of the producers' control, unpredictable moments most likely happen every year.
Taking a look back at the previous shows, one may be accustomed to such things as a tumble on stage and F-word slip in the past. Some other things were notably even more jaw-dropping than those aforementioned instances. While some of them were purely honest mistakes, several incidents were made intentional by non-organizer-related party.
To prepare you for the worst that could happen at the upcoming ceremony, here are the selected most shocking moments at the Oscars over the years.
Adrien Brody Grabs Halle Berry for Spontaneous Kiss
No one can blame Adrien Brody for expressing his joy by smooching Halle Berry at the 2003 Academy Awards. Caught in the emotions and with such a stunning lady by his side, the actor celebrated his Best Actor win for "The Pianist" by making out with the 2002 Oscar winner of Best Actress, who was on hand as presenter at the time. Berry seemed to reciprocate the kiss, but years later she revealed that she was as shocked as other people were by Brody's action. "That was not planned. I knew nothing about it," she said in 2017.
Michael Moore Gets Political on Stage
Had it happened now, perhaps it would not have been as controversial as when Michael Moore did it in 2003. As the show took place only three days after the beginning of the Iraq War, the "Bowling for Columbine" director used most of his speech to launch into a tirade against President George W. Bush. His speech was met with mixed reactions from the audience, with some booing him while others cheering him. Attempting to stop him, the orchestra played Moore off, while Steve Martin tried to diffuse the situation by joking, "Right now, the Teamsters are helping Michael Moore into the trunk of his limo," when he took the stage.
Jan Chapman's Picture Appears in the 'In Memoriam' Slideshow
The "In Memoriam" section is one way for an award show to honor actors, directors and other workers in the industry who have passed away. But what does it mean when the honoree is still very much alive? That confusion occurred when Jan Chapman's picture was featured in the slideshow along with those of late actors and filmmakers at the 2017 Academy Awards. The Australian costume designer's photo was mistakenly used to honor another costume designer, Janet Patterson, and she was understandably "devastated" when she saw it.
'Crash' Wins Best Picture Over 'Brokeback Mountain'
Scoring the most nominations with eight and winning three for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score, "Brokeback Mountain" was robbed of the Best Picture award at the 2006 ceremony. While the Ang Lee-directed gay cowboy drama was a clear favorite throughout the night, "Crash" eventually took home the coveted prize, sending everyone into a shock. Jack Nicholson, who read out the winner, couldn't hide his surprise as he mouthed "woah" to himself on camera. "Crash" writer and director Paul Haggis himself later admitted that the film didn't deserve Best Picture.
A Naked Activist Flashes the Audience
It was supposed to be "The Sting" night for winning Best Picture at the 1974 Oscars, but a gay rights activist, Robert Opel, stole the moment with his naked stunt. The man, posing as photographer to get access backstage, ran across the stage completely in the nude when David Niven introduced Elizabeth Taylor, who would be presenting the award. Some female audience members let out audible shriek at the shocking display, as the music played on to let Niven compose himself. Being a professional that he was, he quickly enthused, "Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?"
Marlon Brando Refuses to Accept Best Actor Award
For most actors and filmmakers, winning an Academy Award may be the highest achievement that they could dream of, but not for Marlon Brando. The actor sent Sacheen Littlefeather, president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee, in his place at the prize-giving event in 1973. When Brando was named the winner of Best Actor for "The Godfather", Littlefeather took the stage and rejected the trophy. She explained that the actor refused to accept the award because of "the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry." Suffice to say, the audience wasn't thrilled as they reacted with audible boo to Littlefeather's speech.
Angelina Jolie Kisses Her Brother
While Angelina Jolie had a tumultuous relationship with her famous father Jon Voight, she's very close to her brother James Haven and she made sure everyone knew it by showing their affection to each other when attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2000. Though siblings' love is obviously sweet, the "Maleficent" star went a little too far by landing a full-on kiss on James' lips when posing on the red carpet, raising people's eyebrows. The former Lara Croft depicter, who won the Best Supporting Actress award for "Girl, Interrupted" earlier in the night, apparently wanted to prove it after saying she was "so in love" with her brother during her acceptance speech.
'La La Land' Accidentally Named Best Picture
It was probably one of the biggest mistakes that ever happened in Oscars' history. At the culmination of the 2017 show a.k.a. the Best Picture announcement, presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beaty falsely named "La La Land" as the winner when it was supposed to be "Moonlight" which won the award. Making it more awkward, the cast and crew of the musical drama were already on stage before they realized they're not the real winner. In defense of Dunaway and Beaty, they were handed out the wrong envelope, so it wasn't entirely their fault.
