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The 5 Wildest and Most Unforgettable Oscars Moments of All Time

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The 5 Wildest and Most Unforgettable Oscars Moments of All Time

At the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith unexpectedly walked onstage and slapped Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The moment stunned the audience and viewers. After countless headlines, Will Smith later apologized publicly, and the incident became one of the most talked-about controversies in Oscars history.
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Oscar Shock: Will Smith Smacks Chris Rock During Live Broadcast

At the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith unexpectedly walked onstage and slapped Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The moment stunned the audience and viewers. After countless headlines, Will Smith later apologized publicly, and the incident became one of the most talked-about controversies in Oscars history.
Actors Faye Dunaway (L) and Warren Beatty speak onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California ... Turns out, the two actors were given the wrong envelope.
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Epic Oscars Mix-Up: La La Land Declared Winner by Mistake

Actors Faye Dunaway (L) and Warren Beatty speak onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California ... Turns out, the two actors were given the wrong envelope.
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3 / 9
"La La Land" producer Jordan Horowitz holds up the winner card reading actual Best Picture winner "Moonlight" with actor Warren Beatty and host Jimmy Kimmel onstage.
During the switch-up saga, Ryan Gosling did his best holding back a shocked reaction.
AP
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During the switch-up saga, Ryan Gosling did his best holding back a shocked reaction.
At the 1990 Oscars, Billy Crystal performed a comedy sketch parodying Sammy Davis Jr., in which he wore blackface. At the time, it was played for laughs, but today it’s widely recognized as racially insensitive and offensive, sparking ongoing criticism in retrospectives.
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Throwback Controversy: Billy Crystal’s 1990 Oscars Sketch in Blackface Sparks Backlash

At the 1990 Oscars, Billy Crystal performed a comedy sketch parodying Sammy Davis Jr., in which he wore blackface. At the time, it was played for laughs, but today it’s widely recognized as racially insensitive and offensive, sparking ongoing criticism in retrospectives.
At the 1974 Oscars, artist Robert Opel ran naked across the stage during the live broadcast, interrupting host David Niven. Niven hit the mic with the quick-witted response, “the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings.
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6 / 9

The Oscars’ Naked Moment: Robert Opel Runs Across the Stage

At the 1974 Oscars, artist Robert Opel ran naked across the stage during the live broadcast, interrupting host David Niven. Niven hit the mic with the quick-witted response, “the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings."
In 2014, John Travolta famously mispronounced Idina Menzel’s name as “Adele Dazeem” while introducing her performance of
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Oscar Flub: John Travolta Struggles to Pronounce Idina Menzel’s Name, "Let It Go!"

In 2014, John Travolta famously mispronounced Idina Menzel’s name as “Adele Dazeem” while introducing her performance of "Let It Go." The slip immediately went viral, becoming one of the most memorable and talked-about flubs in Oscars history!
The following year, Idina was in on the joke and chummed up with John on stage.
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The following year, Idina was in on the joke and chummed up with John on stage.
Sacheen Littlefeather -- born Marie Louise Cruz -- speaks at the 45th Academy Awards. On behalf of Marlon Brando, she refused the Best Actor award he was awarded for his role in 'The Godfather'. Brando refused the award because of the treatment by the Americans of the American Indian.
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Honorable Mention: Sacheen Littlefeather Speaks at Academy Awards

Sacheen Littlefeather -- born Marie Louise Cruz -- speaks at the 45th Academy Awards. On behalf of Marlon Brando, she refused the Best Actor award he was awarded for his role in 'The Godfather'. Brando refused the award because of the treatment by the Americans of the American Indian.

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