The Oscars have always been a stage for Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, but sometimes, they’ve also been a platform for some truly bizarre and unexpected incidents. Here are seven of the craziest moments that have gone down in Oscar history.
1. The Slap Heard ‘Round the World (2022)
It was the slap that stopped a million zaps of the remote control. When Will Smith walked up on stage and smacked Chris Rock for a joke about his wife, audiences worldwide gasped. The Academy Awards aren’t known for physical altercations, making this not just unexpected but unprecedented.
2. Envelope, Please… Oops! (2017)
“La La Land” was having a great night, right up until the moment it didn’t. In a flub that will live in infamy, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the wrong Best Picture winner, leading to confusion and disbelief. The real winner? “Moonlight.” This cringeworthy mix-up had producers scrambling and viewers rewinding their DVRs.
3. Jennifer Lawrence Trips Into Our Hearts (2013)
Winning an Oscar is a dream. Tripping on your way to collect it? Not so much. But Jennifer Lawrence handled her stumble with such grace and humor that it only endeared her more to fans worldwide. Clad in a voluminous Dior gown, her fall became one of the most relatable and charming moments in Oscar history.
4. Marlon Brando Rejects His Oscar (1973)
In a move that was both shocking and politically charged, Marlon Brando refused his Best Actor Oscar for “The Godfather.” Instead, Sacheen Littlefeather took the stage to decline the award on his behalf, citing Hollywood’s poor treatment of Native Americans. This moment remains one of the boldest political statements in the ceremony’s history.
5. Angelina Jolie’s Unusual Family Affection (2000)
After winning Best Supporting Actress, Angelina Jolie declared her love for her brother with a kiss that was a bit too close for comfort for many viewers. The public reaction ranged from shocked to amused, making it one of the more eyebrow-raising occurrences on the Oscar stage.
6. The Streaker Stuns the Ceremony (1974)
Nothing says 1970s like a good streaking, and the Oscars were not immune. In the middle of the ceremony, a streaker ran across the stage behind host David Niven. Niven’s unflappable British wit in response—”Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”—only added to the hilarity of the situation.
7. Adrien Brody’s Surprise Smooch (2003)
When Adrien Brody won Best Actor for “The Pianist,” he celebrated by planting a big, unexpected kiss on presenter Halle Berry. The move was bold, unscripted, and controversial, leaving viewers and Berry herself stunned.
From unexpected smacks to bewildering blunders, these moments have helped make the Oscars the can’t-miss event of Hollywood’s award season, proving that anything can happen under the bright lights of the biggest night in showbiz.
