1963 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 35th Academy Awards, held on April 8, 1963, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, marked a significant moment in Hollywood history
Hosted by the legendary Frank Sinatra, the ceremony celebrated the cinematic achievements of 1962
The evening's biggest winner was "Lawrence of Arabia," which swept the awards with seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for David Lean
Gregory Peck's powerful performance in "To Kill a Mockingbird" earned him Best Actor, while Anne Bancroft took home Best Actress for "The Miracle Worker." The ceremony also made history as Rita Moreno became the first Hispanic woman to win an Oscar for her role in "West Side Story." Set against the backdrop of the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement, the 1963 Academy Awards reflected the changing social landscape of America while celebrating the enduring magic of cinema.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1963, during the 35th Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 08/04/1963 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 5 categories honoring the films released in 1963:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1963?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1963?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1963?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1963?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1963?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Gregory Peck won Best Actor for "To Kill a Mockingbird" and gave a heartfelt speech praising Harper Lee, the author of the source novel.
- Anne Bancroft won Best Actress for "The Miracle Worker" but was unable to attend. Joan Crawford accepted on her behalf.
- "Lawrence of Arabia" won Best Picture and seven other awards, dominating the ceremony.
- Patty Duke, at age 16, became the youngest person at that time to win a competitive Academy Award, winning Best Supporting Actress for "The Miracle Worker."
- Rita Moreno won Best Supporting Actress for "West Side Story" and gave a famously brief acceptance speech, saying only, "I can't believe it! Good Lord! I leave you with that."
- Sophia Loren presented the Best Actor award via satellite from Rome, marking the first time a major award was presented remotely.
- The ceremony was postponed from April 8 to April 15 due to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
- Bob Hope hosted the ceremony for the 13th time, setting a record that still stands today.
- "Days of Wine and Roses" by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer won Best Original Song, beating out "Walk on the Wild Side" and "Moon River."
- The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was presented to Steve Broidy, the first time this award was given to someone who wasn't primarily known as an actor or filmmaker.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1963 Academy Awards?
Frank Sinatra hosted the 35th Academy Awards ceremony in 1963. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1963 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was Gregory Peck winning Best Actor for 'To Kill a Mockingbird' over Peter O'Toole in 'Lawrence of Arabia'. Another surprise was 'Lawrence of Arabia' winning Best Picture over 'To Kill a Mockingbird', which was considered a favorite. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1963 Academy Awards?
The most memorable speech at the 1963 Academy Awards was likely Gregory Peck's acceptance speech for Best Actor. He thanked Harper Lee, the author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', and spoke about the importance of the story's message. Another notable moment was when Patty Duke, at age 16, became the youngest person at that time to receive an Oscar in a competitive category, winning Best Supporting Actress for 'The Miracle Worker'.
What happened in 1963?
Discover what the world looked like in 1963: