1960 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 32nd Academy Awards, held on April 4, 1960, at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, marked a significant moment in film history
Hosted by the legendary Bob Hope, the ceremony celebrated the cinematic achievements of 1959
The night's big winner was 'Ben-Hur,' which swept an unprecedented 11 awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Charlton Heston
This record-breaking feat would stand unmatched for nearly four decades
The ceremony also saw Simone Signoret become the first French actress to win Best Actress for 'Room at the Top.' Against the backdrop of the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement, the Oscars reflected the changing social landscape, with 'The Diary of Anne Frank' winning three awards and bringing attention to recent history
This ceremony set new standards for excellence in filmmaking and showcased Hollywood's growing global influence.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1960, during the 32nd Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 04/04/1960 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 5 categories honoring the films released in 1960:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1960?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1960?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1960?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1960?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1960?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Charlton Heston won Best Actor for "Ben-Hur," which swept the ceremony with a record-breaking 11 wins out of 12 nominations.
- Simone Signoret became the first French actress to win Best Actress for her role in "Room at the Top."
- "Ben-Hur" won Best Picture, cementing its place as one of the most successful films in Oscar history.
- Bob Hope hosted the ceremony for the eighth time, continuing his long-standing relationship with the Academy Awards.
- The ceremony marked the first time that the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was presented, with Bob Hope as the inaugural recipient.
- Shelley Winters won Best Supporting Actress for "The Diary of Anne Frank," her first Oscar win.
- Hugh Griffith won Best Supporting Actor for "Ben-Hur," adding to the film's impressive haul.
- The ceremony was held at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, maintaining the tradition of glamorous Oscar venues.
- "High Hopes" from "A Hole in the Head" won Best Original Song, performed by Frank Sinatra in the film.
- William Wyler won his third Best Director Oscar for "Ben-Hur," tying the record for most wins in this category at the time.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1960 Academy Awards?
Bob Hope hosted the 32nd Academy Awards ceremony in 1960. This was his 8th time hosting the Oscars. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1960 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises at the 1960 Oscars was Charlton Heston winning Best Actor for 'Ben-Hur' over Jack Lemmon in 'Some Like It Hot'. Another surprise was 'Room at the Top' winning Best Actress for Simone Signoret, beating out favorites like Audrey Hepburn and Katharine Hepburn. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1960 Academy Awards?
Unfortunately, detailed records of specific speeches from the 1960 Academy Awards are not readily available. The ceremony was not televised in its entirety, and full transcripts or recordings of speeches from that year are scarce. However, it's likely that Charlton Heston's acceptance speech for Best Actor and Simone Signoret's for Best Actress were memorable moments of the night.
What happened in 1960?
Discover what the world looked like in 1960: