1970 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 42nd Academy Awards, held on April 7, 1970, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, marked a significant moment in film history
Hosted by the legendary Bob Hope for the 16th time, the ceremony celebrated the cinematic achievements of 1969
The night's big winner was "Midnight Cowboy," which became the first and only X-rated film to win Best Picture
John Wayne finally clinched his first Oscar for "True Grit," while Maggie Smith took home Best Actress for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie." The ceremony reflected the changing cultural landscape of the late 1960s, with more daring and unconventional films gaining recognition
Notable moments included a tie for Best Actress in a Leading Role between Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand
The 1970 Oscars encapsulated a pivotal era in Hollywood, bridging classic cinema with the emerging New Hollywood movement.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1970, during the 42nd Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 07/04/1970 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 6 categories honoring the films released in 1970:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1970?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1970?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1970?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1970?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1970?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1970?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- George C. Scott won Best Actor for "Patton" but famously refused to accept the award, calling the Oscars ceremony a "meat parade."
- Glenda Jackson won Best Actress for "Women in Love," but was not present at the ceremony due to filming commitments.
- Helen Hayes won Best Supporting Actress for "Airport," becoming the first performer to win an Oscar in both lead and supporting categories.
- "Patton" won seven awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Franklin J. Schaffner.
- Orson Welles received an Honorary Award for "superlative artistry and versatility in the creation of motion pictures," his only competitive Oscar.
- The ceremony was postponed from April 13 to April 15 due to the funeral of Igor Stravinsky.
- John Wayne presented the Best Picture award, his first appearance at the Oscars since his own Best Actor win the previous year.
- The documentary feature "Woodstock" lost to "The Hellstrom Chronicle," surprising many given the cultural impact of the Woodstock festival.
- Italian actor Rossano Brazzi delivered his entire presentation speech in Italian, with no translation provided, confusing many attendees.
- The ceremony was the first to be internationally televised via satellite.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1970 Academy Awards?
There was no single host for the 42nd Academy Awards in 1970. Instead, the ceremony featured 17 'Friends of Oscar' who took turns presenting awards and introducing segments. These included Bob Hope, John Wayne, Barbra Streisand, Fred Astaire, Jon Voight, Myrna Loy, Clint Eastwood, Raquel Welch, and others. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1970 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was John Wayne winning Best Actor for 'True Grit'. Many expected Dustin Hoffman or Jon Voight to win for 'Midnight Cowboy'. Another surprise was 'Midnight Cowboy' winning Best Picture, as it was the first and only X-rated film to win this award. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1970 Academy Awards?
While there weren't many notably memorable speeches that year, Goldie Hawn's acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress was considered charming and endearing. She giggled and said, 'I truly wanted this. All I can say is that winning isn't everything. But wanting to win is.' John Wayne's brief speech for his Best Actor win was also notable, as it was his first and only Oscar win in his long career.
What happened in 1970?
Discover what the world looked like in 1970: