Skip to main content
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
Got A Tip? Email Or Call (888) 847-9869

Most Iconic Moments in Oscars History

TMZ
  • News
  • Sports
  • Hip Hop
  • Watch
  • Photos
  • Tours
  • Deals
Got a tip?
  • News
  • Sports
  • Hip Hop
  • Watch
  • Photos
  • Tours
  • Deals

Shows

TMZ
TMZ Live
TMZ Sports

Download The App

App Store
Google Play
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy (New)
  • Terms of Use
  • Ad Choices
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Articles
  • Articles XML
  • Updated Articles
  • Updated Articles XML
  • Categories
  • Categories XML
  • Galleries
  • People
  • People XML
  • Photos XML
  • Videos

© 2026 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
  • Give Us
    a Call
  • Shoot Us
    an Email
  • Send Us
    a Text
Big weekend for Hollywood ... The Oscars are going down this Sunday, so ahead of show day, check out our gallery and see which moments are totes iconic!
Getty/TMZ Composite

Most Iconic Moments in Oscars History

The 98th Academy Awards are rapidly approaching ... we take a look back at some of the biggest moments in all of Oscars history.
American filmmaker Sean Baker made history by winning four Oscars in one night for the same film (
Getty
1 / 29
American filmmaker Sean Baker made history by winning four Oscars in one night for the same film ("Anora"). He took the W for producer, director, screenplay, and editing -- something only Walt Disney had previously achieved, though not for a single film.
In 2025, Kylie Jenner made her Oscars debut alongside boyfriend Timothée Chalamet. Up until this, she'd only attended after parties, not the actual ceremony. This outing gave her a new level of Hollywood visibility.
Getty
2 / 29
In 2025, Kylie Jenner made her Oscars debut alongside boyfriend Timothée Chalamet. Up until this, she'd only attended after parties, not the actual ceremony. This outing gave her a new level of Hollywood visibility.
Coming off the top-grossing film of 2023, Ryan Gosling performs 'I'm Just Ken' from
Getty
3 / 29
Coming off the top-grossing film of 2023, Ryan Gosling performs 'I'm Just Ken' from "Barbie" at the 96th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre.
Emma Stone's 2024 Oscar win stunned many because she took the W over Lily Gladstone, who was a favorite for her role in
Getty
4 / 29
Emma Stone's 2024 Oscar win stunned many because she took the W over Lily Gladstone, who was a favorite for her role in "Killers of the Flower Moon."
John Cena speaks onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Mr. Cena presents the Best Costume Design category practically nude!
Getty
5 / 29
John Cena speaks onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards. Mr. Cena presents the Best Costume Design category practically nude!
Will Smith slaps host Chris Rock onstage after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair during the 2022 show ... also known as the slap heard around the world.
Getty
6 / 29
Will Smith slaps host Chris Rock onstage after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair during the 2022 show ... also known as the slap heard around the world.
Ellen DeGeneres goes viral after the host got a star-studded group of celebs to pose for a selfie that is snapped by Bradley Cooper during the 2014 Academy Awards.
Twitter
7 / 29
Ellen DeGeneres goes viral after the host got a star-studded group of celebs to pose for a selfie that is snapped by Bradley Cooper during the 2014 Academy Awards.
Actress Sacheen Littlefeather is booed after refusing the Best Actor Award on behalf of Marlon Brando as a protest of the portrayal of Native Americans on screen in 1973.
Getty
8 / 29
Actress Sacheen Littlefeather is booed after refusing the Best Actor Award on behalf of Marlon Brando as a protest of the portrayal of Native Americans on screen in 1973.
Getty
9 / 29
"La La Land" filmmakers took the stage in 2017 to accept the Best Picture award only to find out that there had been a mix-up and "Moonlight" was the actual winner.
Sidney Poitier becomes the first Black man to win an Oscar for best actor after his role in
Getty
10 / 29
Sidney Poitier becomes the first Black man to win an Oscar for best actor after his role in "Lilies of the Field" in 1963.
Jennifer Lawrence takes a tumble while climbing the stairs to the stage at the Oscars in 2013.
Getty
11 / 29
Jennifer Lawrence takes a tumble while climbing the stairs to the stage at the Oscars in 2013.
In 2006, Will Ferrell and Steve Carell hilariously beat their faces into a makeup mishap to present the award for Best Makeup.
Getty
12 / 29
In 2006, Will Ferrell and Steve Carell hilariously beat their faces into a makeup mishap to present the award for Best Makeup.
Cameras flocked to Björk when she ruffled feathers in her iconic swan dress at the Oscars back in 2001.
Getty
13 / 29
Cameras flocked to Björk when she ruffled feathers in her iconic swan dress at the Oscars back in 2001.
Cameraman Robert Opel is best known for stripping down and flashing a peace sign while streaking naked across the 46th Academy Awards in 1974.
Getty
14 / 29
Cameraman Robert Opel is best known for stripping down and flashing a peace sign while streaking naked across the 46th Academy Awards in 1974.
After a long dry spell ... Leonardo DiCaprio finally wins an Oscar in 2016 for his role in  
Getty
15 / 29
After a long dry spell ... Leonardo DiCaprio finally wins an Oscar in 2016 for his role in  "The Revenant."
Trey Parker and Matt Stone attend the Oscars on LSD while dripping in iconic clothes made famous by Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow in 2000.
Getty
16 / 29
Trey Parker and Matt Stone attend the Oscars on LSD while dripping in iconic clothes made famous by Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow in 2000.
Actress Hattie McDaniel became first Black person to ever be awarded an Oscar in 1940 for her role in
Getty
17 / 29
Actress Hattie McDaniel became first Black person to ever be awarded an Oscar in 1940 for her role in "Gone with the Wind."
In 1969, Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn both tie for Best Actress ... one of the very few times in history.
Getty
18 / 29
In 1969, Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn both tie for Best Actress ... one of the very few times in history.
In 2009, Heath Ledger wins posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in
Getty
19 / 29
In 2009, Heath Ledger wins posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" ... the award was accepted by Heath's sister Kate Ledger.
In 2015, the #OscarsSoWhite movement begins, highlighting the lack of people of color being nominated for Academy Awards.
Getty
20 / 29
In 2015, the #OscarsSoWhite movement begins, highlighting the lack of people of color being nominated for Academy Awards.
Tatum O'Neal becomes the youngest Oscar winner in a major category at just 10 years old for her role in
Getty
21 / 29
Tatum O'Neal becomes the youngest Oscar winner in a major category at just 10 years old for her role in "Paper Moon" back in 1974.
Three 6 Mafia is stoked to win Best Original Song in 2006 for their hit 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp.'
Getty
22 / 29
Three 6 Mafia is stoked to win Best Original Song in 2006 for their hit 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp.'
Tom Hanks inadvertently outs his high school acting teacher during his acceptance speech for
Getty
23 / 29
Tom Hanks inadvertently outs his high school acting teacher during his acceptance speech for "Philadelphia" back in 1994.
In 1972, Charlie Chaplin receives honorary Oscar and longest standing ovation ever ... bringing folks to their feet for 12 minutes straight.
Getty
24 / 29
In 1972, Charlie Chaplin receives honorary Oscar and longest standing ovation ever ... bringing folks to their feet for 12 minutes straight.
Emma Stone calls out gender inequality while introducing the category for Best Director in 2018.
Getty
25 / 29
Emma Stone calls out gender inequality while introducing the category for Best Director in 2018.
The show goes on without a host in 2019 ... after Kevin Hart stepped down due to a series of resurfaced controversial tweets.
Getty
26 / 29
The show goes on without a host in 2019 ... after Kevin Hart stepped down due to a series of resurfaced controversial tweets.
Adrien Brody smooches presenter Halle Berry as he accepts his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for
Getty
27 / 29
Adrien Brody smooches presenter Halle Berry as he accepts his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for "The Pianist."
Christopher Reeve receives a standing ovation during his onstage appearance in 1996 ... after being paralyzed from his shoulder down in a horse-riding accident, months prior.
Getty
28 / 29
Christopher Reeve receives a standing ovation during his onstage appearance in 1996 ... after being paralyzed from his shoulder down in a horse-riding accident, months prior.
Halle Berry is the first Black woman to take home the award for Best Actress in 2002 for her performance in
Getty
29 / 29
Halle Berry is the first Black woman to take home the award for Best Actress in 2002 for her performance in "Monster's Ball."

Latest Galleries

0311-JFK-Jr.'s-Best-Shots-PRIMARY

JFK Jr.'s Best Shots

0311-JFK-Jr-Daryl-Camping-Trip-PRIMARY

JFK Jr. and Daryl Hannah Camping Trip

0311-Lindsay-Lohan-Arrives-NYC-PRIMARY

Lindsay Lohan Safely Arrives To New York City With Family

More from this category View all from Latest Galleries

Sexy Snapshots

0311-Taylor-Hale-Miss-March-Playboy-PRIMARY

'Big Brother' Winner Taylor Hale Bares It All As Miss March Playboy

0227-Babes-In-Bed-PRIMARY

Babes In Bed ... Riiise And Shiiinee!

0224-Devon-Windsor-Hot-Shots-PRIMARY

Devon Windsor's Hot Shots

More from this category View all from Sexy Snapshots

ABOUT TMZ

  • About TMZ.com
  • Privacy Policy (New)
  • Terms of Use
  • Ad Choices
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Articles
  • Articles XML
  • Updated Articles
  • Updated Articles XML
  • Categories
  • Categories XML
  • Galleries
  • People
  • People XML
  • Photos XML
  • Videos

CONTACT TMZ

  • Contact Us
  • Send a Hot Tip
  • Careers
  • Advertising Inquiries
  • Media Inquiries

SUBSCRIBE

Yes! Send me email updates and offers from TMZ and its Affiliates. By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

FOLLOW

TMZ APPS

  • Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store
  • Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store
© 2026 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Thirty Mile Zone