The most iconic moments in Oscars history

Throughout his career, Walt Disney won a record 22 competitive Oscars and four honorary awards. His impressive tally remains unbeaten, solidifying his legacy as one of Hollywood’s greatest visionaries.

At just six years old, Shirley Temple received the first-ever Juvenile Oscar, recognising her outstanding contribution to film as a child star. The special miniature Oscar remains a symbol of her lasting impact on Hollywood.

Hattie McDaniel became the first Black actor to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. Her win was ground breaking, but she had to sit at a segregated table during the ceremony due to legal racial discrimination at the time.

When Charlie Chaplin returned to the Oscars to receive an honorary award, the audience gave him a standing ovation that lasted an astonishing 12 minutes—the longest in Academy Awards history.

In a bold political statement, Marlon Brando refused his Best Actor Oscar for The Godfather, sending Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the award on his behalf as a protest against Hollywood’s portrayal of Indigenous people.

During the live broadcast, artist and activist Robert Opel ran naked across the stage behind host David Niven, while we was introducing actress Elizabeth Taylor. Niven’s quick-witted response—joking about Opel’s “shortcomings”—made the moment even more legendary and remains one of the most talked-about unscripted Oscars incidents.

Australian actor Peter Finch became the first performer to win an Oscar posthumously for his unforgettable role in Network, and the award was accepted by his wife Eletha Finch. His passionate “I’m as mad as hell” monologue remains one of the most iconic moments in film history.

Halle Berry made history in 2002 as the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Monster’s Ball. Overcome with emotion, Berry tearfully declared, “This moment is so much bigger than me,” paving the way for greater diversity in Hollywood.

Following his tragic passing, Australian actor Heath Ledger was posthumously awarded Best Supporting Actor for his legendary performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight. His family accepted the award on his behalf in a deeply moving tribute.

While walking up the stairs to accept her Best Actress award for Silver Linings Playbook, Jennifer Lawrence tripped on her voluminous Dior gown. The actress handled the moment with charm and humour, making her even more beloved by fans.

Australian actress Cate Blanchett won her second Academy Award, this time for Best Actress in Blue Jasmine. In her speech, she championed female-led films, declaring, “The world is round, people!”—a moment that resonated across the industry.

During her hosting gig, Ellen DeGeneres snapped a selfie with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, and Jennifer Lawrence. The image went viral, briefly becoming the most retweeted photo in history.

In what remains the most shocking Oscars blunder of all time, La La Land was mistakenly announced as Best Picture—only for producers to realise mid-acceptance speech that Moonlight was the actual winner. The mix-up left audiences stunned and became an instant cultural moment.

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper performed Shallow from A Star Is Born with such chemistry that their emotionally charged performance still remains one of the most talked-about Oscars moments in history.

Parasite became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture, marking a historic moment for international cinema. Director Bong Joon-ho’s heartfelt speech and the film’s sweeping victories were celebrated worldwide.

Michelle Yeoh made history as the first Asian woman to win Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, inspiring millions with her speech: “Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime.”

In one of the most talked-about moments of the night, Ryan Gosling took to the stage to perform I’m Just Ken from Barbie, complete with backup dancers and a dazzling pink suit. His charismatic performance delighted audiences and cemented the song as a cultural phenomenon.