The Academy Awards may be one of the most renowned award shows of all time. However, there have been many controversies in its long history. In its nearly century of existence, the award ceremony has undergone several major alterations to reflect the evolution of modern society. Although Will Smith’s slapping of Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards was shocking and outrageous. It was not the first time the Oscars had been marred by controversy. The ceremony has a history of controversies and unexpected events, owing in part to its unscripted character and the high emotions felt by those engaged. Here are the 5 biggest controversies of the Academy Awards.
The 5 biggest controversies of the Academy Awards
1. Marlon Brando refuses the Best Actor Award (1973)
In 1973, Marlon Brando refused to accept his Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Godfather. It was one of the darkest chapters in the Oscars’ history. Marlon Brando turned down his Oscar in protest of Hollywood’s problems with Native American representation in movies. In his place, Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American activist and actress, to decline the award, eliciting both boos and cheers from the audience. Littlefeather stated that security officers were holding back John Wayne as he attempted to attack her after she refused the Oscar on Brando’s behalf.
2. Adrien Brody kisses Halle Berry (2003)
Halle Berry’s return to the Academy Awards is in people’s minds for all the wrong reasons. One year after winning her own Oscar she was back to give the Best Actor award. Following the announcement of Adrien Brody as the winner for his work in The Pianist, an ecstatic Brody dashed onstage and passionately kissed Berry without warning or consent. Adrien Brody’s Oscar win may have piqued his interest, but his decision to kiss Berry stunned and perplexed her.
3. “Kim Jong-Il’s Ashes” (2012)
Sacha Baron Cohen dressed as Admiral-General Haffaz Aladeen, appeared at the ceremony with an unusual guest: the late North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-il’s “ashes.” The actor claimed he was carrying the urn, which had a photo of Kim Jong-il on it. It was to fulfill the former leader’s dying request of attending the Oscars. Sacha Baron Cohen’s act, however, did not end there. He dumped the “ashes” (later proved to be pancake mix) on Ryan Seacrest while he was being questioned. (Adipex) The act was one of Baron Cohen’s most high-profile displays of dark humor, and, it was nonetheless a frightening Oscar moment.
4. Best picture announcement blunder (2017)
There are sure to be some mix-ups in any live presentation, but the error during the 89th Academy Awards in 2017 will live on in infamy. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who presented the year’s Best Picture award, wrongly declared La La Land as the winner. The error was not revealed until the makers of La La Land were giving their award speech. As a result, Moonlight, the genuine Best Picture winner, was announced shortly after. Although the error was corrected, it became one of the most egregious and unforgettable Oscar gaffes in the ceremony’s history.
5. Will Smith – Chris Rock (2022)
The Oscars 2022 also contributed to a dark chapter in the Academy Awards’ storied history; probably one of the most dramatic Oscar moments of all. Will Smith stepped on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face after he made a joke about Smith’s wife. Will Smith slapping Chris Rock was shocking, but the actor’s enraged statements after returning to his seat were equally so. Unfortunately, it tainted Smith’s maiden Oscar triumph. Prompting many to demand that he return the award, adding to the Oscars’ long history of tumultuous moments.