Best friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck won their first Oscar for best original screenplay in 1997 for “Good Will Hunting.” This was the actors’ first screenplay. Although Damon, who was 27, and Affleck, who was 25, looked like they were wearing their father’s suits, the young talents gave an energetic speech, and seemed overjoyed by the surprising recognition.
When singer Bjork arrived at the red carpet for 2001’s Oscar’s, needless to say, no one was swooning. Her swan-inspired white garment, in which a fake swan draped her neck, became one of the world’s most legendary fashion faux pas.
The highly anticipated hosting duties went to Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway and Oscar-nominee James Franco in 2011. The result was an awkward pairing between an energetic Hathaway and a nonchalant Franco who looked as if he’d rather be anywhere but on the stage. It was a questionable choice, as they didn’t carry the same dynamic as previous hosts like Billy Crystal and Ellen DeGeneres, who is also hosting this year’s Oscars.
At the 11th Academy Awards in 1939, Walt Disney received a special Oscar and seven miniature statues, presented by Shirley Temple, for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Disney eventually received 32 Oscars, the most in the Academy Award show history.
Between Halle Berry’s emotional acceptance speech for “Monster Ball” and her eye-catching dress, the 2002 Oscar’s was Berry’s night. Elie Saab designed her revealing burgundy gown, which included see-through embroidery, a risqué look that is still one for the books. Berry’s passionate speech stemmed from becoming the first and only African-American to win Best Leading Actress.
Hilary Swank wowed at 2005’s red carpet in her open-back Guy Laroche gown and took home her second Oscar for Best Actress for her role in “Million Dollar Baby,” which she trained for to portray a boxer. Her transformation for the role and stunning navy gown that showed off her toned figure made it her night to shine.
At 2013’s Oscars, breakout star Jennifer Lawrence won her first Oscar for best performance for an actress in a leading role for “Silver Linings Playbook.” After making her way to the stage, she tripped on her Dior gown but managed to recover. She even told the star-studded audience, “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell and that’s really embarrassing.”
