1961 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 33rd Academy Awards ceremony, held on April 17, 1961, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, was a night of glamour and historic moments
Hosted by the legendary Bob Hope, the event celebrated the cinematic achievements of 1960
Billy Wilder's "The Apartment" emerged as the big winner, taking home five awards including Best Picture and Best Director
Elizabeth Taylor won her first Oscar for "Butterfield 8," while Burt Lancaster claimed Best Actor for "Elmer Gantry." The ceremony made history with Hayley Mills receiving the last Juvenile Award ever presented
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War and the early days of the Kennedy administration, the 1961 Oscars reflected both the artistic triumphs and societal tensions of the era, showcasing Hollywood's enduring influence on American culture.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1961, during the 33rd Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 17/04/1961 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 6 categories honoring the films released in 1961:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1961?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1961?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1961?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1961?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1961?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1961?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Elizabeth Taylor won her first Oscar for Best Actress for "Butterfield 8," despite being critically ill and having recently undergone a tracheotomy. Her win was considered somewhat controversial, as many believed she won out of sympathy for her health issues.
- "The Apartment" won Best Picture, Best Director (Billy Wilder), and Best Original Screenplay, cementing its place as a classic romantic comedy.
- Shirley Jones won Best Supporting Actress for "Elmer Gantry," her first and only Oscar nomination and win.
- Peter Ustinov won Best Supporting Actor for "Spartacus," his first Oscar win.
- Burt Lancaster won Best Actor for "Elmer Gantry," giving a brief and humble acceptance speech, simply saying, "Thank you."
- The ceremony was hosted by Bob Hope for the 13th time, continuing his record as the most frequent host of the Academy Awards.
- The film "The Alamo" received seven nominations, including Best Picture, but won only for Best Sound.
- Legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, his only Oscar recognition despite never winning a competitive award for directing.
- The ceremony was held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, marking a change from the previous year's location at the RKO Pantages Theatre.
- "Never on Sunday" became the first Greek film to win an Oscar, with Manos Hadjidakis winning for Best Original Song.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1961 Academy Awards?
Bob Hope hosted the 33rd Academy Awards ceremony in 1961. This was his 12th time hosting the Oscars. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1961 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was Elizabeth Taylor winning Best Actress for 'Butterfield 8,' a film that was not critically acclaimed. Many believed Shirley MacLaine would win for 'The Apartment.' Another surprise was 'The Apartment' winning Best Picture over the favored 'The Alamo.' - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1961 Academy Awards?
Unfortunately, there are no widely remembered or notably historic speeches from the 1961 Academy Awards that stand out in Oscar history. The ceremony was relatively standard for its time, without any particularly controversial or iconic moments in the acceptance speeches.
What happened in 1961?
Discover what the world looked like in 1961: