1968 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 40th Academy Awards ceremony, held on April 10, 1968, was a night of historic moments and cultural significance
Hosted by the legendary Bob Hope for the 14th time, the event took place against the backdrop of social upheaval in America
The ceremony was postponed for two days due to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., reflecting the tumultuous times
'In the Heat of the Night' took home the coveted Best Picture award, while its star Rod Steiger won Best Actor
Katharine Hepburn made history by winning her third Best Actress Oscar for 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.' The groundbreaking film 'Bonnie and Clyde' garnered multiple nominations, signaling a shift towards more daring cinema
This ceremony marked a turning point in Hollywood, bridging the gap between old guard glamour and the emerging New Hollywood era.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1968, during the 40th Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 10/04/1968 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 5 categories honoring the films released in 1968:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1968?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1968?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1968?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1968?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1968?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tied for Best Actress, the only exact tie in a principal Oscar category in Academy history.
- Stanley Kubrick won his only Oscar for Best Visual Effects for "2001: A Space Odyssey."
- The ceremony was postponed for two days due to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
- "Oliver!" won Best Picture, becoming the last G-rated film to win the top prize until "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" in 2004.
- Cliff Robertson's win for Best Actor in "Charly" was considered a major upset, as he was not favored to win.
- Ruth Gordon, at age 72, won Best Supporting Actress for "Rosemary's Baby," quipping in her acceptance speech, "I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is."
- The documentary feature award was not presented this year, as the Academy deemed none of the entries worthy of an Oscar.
- Mel Brooks won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "The Producers."
- The ceremony was held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, with Bob Hope serving as the host for the 14th time.
- "Funny Girl," which marked Barbra Streisand's film debut, received eight nominations but only won for Best Actress (tied).
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1968 Academy Awards?
Bob Hope hosted the 40th Academy Awards ceremony in 1968. This was his 14th time hosting the Oscars. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1968 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises at the 1968 Oscars was Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tying for Best Actress. Hepburn won for 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' and Streisand for 'Funny Girl'. This was the first exact tie in a principal Oscar category. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1968 Academy Awards?
The most memorable speech at the 1968 Academy Awards was likely that of Alfred Hitchcock. He received an Honorary Award and gave a famously brief acceptance speech, simply saying, 'Thank you' before walking off stage. This concise speech was characteristic of Hitchcock's dry wit and became one of the most talked-about moments of the ceremony.
What happened in 1968?
Discover what the world looked like in 1968: