1981 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 53rd Academy Awards ceremony, held on March 31, 1981, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, celebrated the cinematic achievements of 1980
Hosted by Johnny Carson for the third time, the event was marked by several notable moments and historic wins
Robert De Niro clinched his second Oscar for "Raging Bull," while Sissy Spacek won Best Actress for "Coal Miner's Daughter." The night's big winner was "Ordinary People," which took home four awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Robert Redford's directorial debut
The ceremony reflected the changing landscape of American cinema, with films addressing complex social issues and personal struggles
This awards season also saw the rise of independent productions challenging major studio dominance, signaling a shift in the industry that would continue throughout the decade.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1981, during the 53rd Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 31/03/1981 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 6 categories honoring the films released in 1981:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1981?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1981?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1981?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1981?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1981?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1981?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Robert De Niro won Best Actor for "Raging Bull" and gave a short, humble speech, simply thanking the Academy and director Martin Scorsese.
- Sissy Spacek won Best Actress for "Coal Miner's Daughter" and emotionally thanked her parents and husband.
- "Ordinary People" won Best Picture, upsetting the favored "Raging Bull."
- Robert Redford won Best Director for "Ordinary People," his directorial debut.
- Mary Steenburgen won Best Supporting Actress for "Melvin and Howard" and gave a heartfelt speech about her journey as an actress.
- Timothy Hutton, at 20 years old, became the youngest winner of the Best Supporting Actor award for "Ordinary People."
- The ceremony was postponed for one day due to the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981.
- Johnny Carson hosted the ceremony for the third time, delivering witty and topical jokes.
- Dolly Parton performed her Oscar-nominated song "9 to 5" from the film of the same name.
- The ceremony marked the first time that the Academy used sealed envelopes to announce the winners, adding an extra layer of secrecy and anticipation.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1981 Academy Awards?
Johnny Carson hosted the 53rd Academy Awards ceremony in 1981. This was his third time hosting the Oscars. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1981 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was Robert De Niro winning Best Actor for 'Raging Bull' over John Hurt in 'The Elephant Man'. Another surprise was Timothy Hutton winning Best Supporting Actor for 'Ordinary People' at age 20, making him the youngest winner in that category at the time. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1981 Academy Awards?
The most memorable speech was likely Robert De Niro's brief acceptance for Best Actor, where he simply said, 'Thank you' and walked off stage. Another notable moment was Sissy Spacek's heartfelt speech when accepting her Best Actress award for 'Coal Miner's Daughter', where she thanked her parents and the real Loretta Lynn.
What happened in 1981?
Discover what the world looked like in 1981: