1969 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 41st Academy Awards, held on April 14, 1969, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, marked a significant moment in Hollywood history
Hosted by the multi-talented Gower Champion, the ceremony celebrated the cinematic achievements of 1968 amidst a backdrop of social and political upheaval
The night's biggest winner was the musical "Oliver!," which took home six awards, including Best Picture
In a historic turn, Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tied for Best Actress, the only exact tie in a principal Oscar category to date
The ceremony also saw the first African American to win Best Actor, with Sidney Poitier presenting the award to Cliff Robertson
This Oscars reflected the changing face of cinema, with more socially conscious films gaining recognition, mirroring the tumultuous cultural landscape of the late 1960s.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1969, during the 41st Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 14/04/1969 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 5 categories honoring the films released in 1969:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1969?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1969?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1969?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1969?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1969?
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 had no official host, marking the first time since 1939 that the Oscars went without a host.
- "Oliver!" won Best Picture, surprising many who expected "The Lion in Winter" or "Romeo and Juliet" to win.
- Cliff Robertson's Best Actor win for "Charly" was considered an upset, as many expected Peter O'Toole to win for "The Lion in Winter."
- Ruth Gordon, at age 72, won Best Supporting Actress for "Rosemary's Baby," quipping in her speech, "I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is."
- The ceremony was postponed for two days due to the funeral of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- Jack Albertson won Best Supporting Actor for "The Subject Was Roses," beating out Gene Wilder's performance in "The Producers."
- Mel Brooks won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "The Producers."
- The documentary "Journey into Self," which won Best Documentary Feature, was later stripped of its Oscar when it was revealed to have been released in 1961.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1969 Academy Awards?
The 41st Academy Awards ceremony in 1969 did not have a host. It was the first time in Oscar history that the ceremony went without a host. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1969 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was the tie for Best Actress between Katharine Hepburn for 'The Lion in Winter' and Barbra Streisand for 'Funny Girl'. It was only the second time in Oscar history that there was a tie in an acting category. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1969 Academy Awards?
The most memorable speech at the 1969 Academy Awards was likely Ruth Gordon's acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress for 'Rosemary's Baby'. At 72 years old, she quipped, 'I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is,' which drew laughter and applause from the audience.
What happened in 1969?
Discover what the world looked like in 1969: