1959 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 31st Academy Awards ceremony, held on April 6, 1959, at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, marked a significant moment in film history
Hosted by the charismatic Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, David Niven, Tony Randall, Mort Sahl, and Laurence Olivier, the event celebrated the cinematic achievements of 1958
The night's big winner was "Gigi," which swept nine awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Vincente Minnelli
Susan Hayward's powerful performance in "I Want to Live!" earned her the Best Actress award, while David Niven took home Best Actor for "Separate Tables." This ceremony also saw Miyoshi Umeki become the first Asian performer to win an acting Oscar
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War and the rise of television, the 1959 Academy Awards reflected the changing landscape of entertainment and society in mid-20th century America.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1959, during the 31st Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 06/04/1959 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 6 categories honoring the films released in 1959:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1959?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1959?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1959?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1959?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1959?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1959?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- David Niven's famous quip when a streaker ran across the stage: "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?"
- Susan Hayward won Best Actress for "I Want to Live!" after four previous nominations, giving an emotional speech thanking her family and colleagues.
- "Gigi" won a record-breaking nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, sweeping every category it was nominated in.
- Burl Ives won Best Supporting Actor for "The Big Country," surprising many who expected Lee J. Cobb to win for "The Brothers Karamazov."
- Ingrid Bergman presented the Best Picture award, marking her return to Hollywood after being ostracized for her affair with Roberto Rossellini.
- Maurice Chevalier performed "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" from "Gigi," which would later become controversial due to its lyrics.
- Miyoshi Umeki became the first Asian performer to win an acting Oscar, taking home Best Supporting Actress for "Sayonara."
- The ceremony was hosted by Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, David Niven, Tony Randall, Mort Sahl, and Laurence Olivier, marking the first time multiple hosts were used.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1959 Academy Awards?
Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, David Niven, Tony Randall, Mort Sahl, and Laurence Olivier served as co-hosts for the 31st Academy Awards ceremony in 1959. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1959 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was Susan Hayward winning Best Actress for 'I Want to Live!' over Elizabeth Taylor in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'. Another surprise was 'Gigi' winning all nine of its nominations, including Best Picture, which was unexpected given the strong competition. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1959 Academy Awards?
There were no particularly memorable speeches from the 1959 Academy Awards that have stood out in Oscar history. The ceremony was notable for its multiple hosts rather than for any specific acceptance speeches.
What happened in 1959?
Discover what the world looked like in 1959: