1979 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 51st Academy Awards ceremony, held on April 9, 1979, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, was a night of historic wins and cultural significance
Hosted by the incomparable Johnny Carson, the event celebrated the best in cinema from 1978
The Vietnam War drama 'The Deer Hunter' emerged as the big winner, taking home five awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Michael Cimino
In a groundbreaking moment, Jon Voight and Jane Fonda both won acting awards for their roles in 'Coming Home,' another Vietnam-themed film, reflecting Hollywood's ongoing grappling with the war's aftermath
Maggie Smith's win for 'California Suite' marked her second Oscar, while Christopher Walken's supporting actor win for 'The Deer Hunter' launched his career to new heights
The ceremony also saw the legendary Laurence Olivier receive an honorary award for his lifetime achievement in film.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1979, during the 51st Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 09/04/1979 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 6 categories honoring the films released in 1979:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1979?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1979?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1979?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1979?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1979?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1979?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Jon Voight won Best Actor for "Coming Home" and gave an emotional speech, dedicating his award to his father and praising his co-star Jane Fonda.
- Jane Fonda won Best Actress for "Coming Home," her second Oscar win. She used sign language in her acceptance speech to honor the deaf community.
- "The Deer Hunter" won Best Picture, beating out strong contenders like "Coming Home" and "Midnight Express."
- Maggie Smith won Best Supporting Actress for "California Suite," her second Oscar win.
- Christopher Walken won Best Supporting Actor for "The Deer Hunter," his first Oscar win.
- Laurence Olivier received an Honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievement in film, presented by Cary Grant.
- John Wayne made his final public appearance at the ceremony, presenting the Best Picture award just two months before his death.
- The ceremony was co-hosted by Johnny Carson, making his debut as an Oscar host.
- "Last Dance" from "Thank God It's Friday" won Best Original Song, performed by Donna Summer at the ceremony.
- The ceremony marked the first time that all four acting awards went to American-born actors since 1960.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1979 Academy Awards?
Johnny Carson hosted the 51st Academy Awards ceremony in 1979. It was his first time hosting the Oscars. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1979 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was Jon Voight winning Best Actor for 'Coming Home' over Robert De Niro in 'The Deer Hunter'. Another surprise was 'The Deer Hunter' winning Best Picture over the favored 'Coming Home'. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1979 Academy Awards?
The most memorable speech was likely Laurence Olivier's honorary Oscar acceptance. He delivered an eloquent, poetic speech about the magic of movies. Another notable moment was Jane Fonda's acceptance speech for Best Actress, where she used sign language to thank the deaf community.
What happened in 1979?
Discover what the world looked like in 1979: