1983 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 55th Academy Awards ceremony, held on April 11, 1983, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, was a night of glamour and historic moments
Hosted by the charismatic Walter Matthau, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Richard Pryor, the event celebrated the best in cinema from 1982
'Gandhi' emerged as the big winner, taking home eight awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Ben Kingsley
Meryl Streep won her second Oscar for 'Sophie's Choice,' solidifying her status as one of Hollywood's finest actresses
The ceremony also marked a significant milestone as Steven Spielberg's 'E.T
the Extra-Terrestrial' became the highest-grossing film of all time
Against the backdrop of the Cold War and the rise of MTV, the 1983 Oscars reflected the evolving landscape of both cinema and popular culture.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1983, during the 55th Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 11/04/1983 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 5 categories honoring the films released in 1983:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1983?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1983?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1983?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1983?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1983?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Ben Kingsley won Best Actor for "Gandhi" and gave a heartfelt speech dedicating his award to Mahatma Gandhi
- "Gandhi" dominated the ceremony, winning 8 awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Richard Attenborough
- Meryl Streep won Best Actress for "Sophie's Choice," her second Oscar in four years
- Louis Gossett Jr. became the first African American to win Best Supporting Actor for "An Officer and a Gentleman"
- Jessica Lange won Best Supporting Actress for "Tootsie," beating out co-star Teri Garr
- Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli hosted the ceremony, which was notable for its musical performances
- Liza Minnelli performed "New York, New York" during the ceremony
- The ceremony marked the first time that all five Best Original Song nominees were performed during the broadcast
- "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" won four technical awards but lost Best Picture to "Gandhi"
- Mickey Rooney received an Honorary Oscar for his lifetime contribution to the film industry
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1983 Academy Awards?
Johnny Carson hosted the 55th Academy Awards ceremony in 1983. This was his fifth time hosting the Oscars. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1983 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was Ben Kingsley winning Best Actor for 'Gandhi' over Paul Newman in 'The Verdict'. Another surprise was 'An Officer and a Gentleman' winning two major awards (Best Supporting Actor for Louis Gossett Jr. and Best Original Song) despite not being nominated for Best Picture. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1983 Academy Awards?
The most memorable speech was likely Richard Attenborough's emotional acceptance for Best Director for 'Gandhi'. He was visibly moved and spoke about the film's message of non-violence. Another notable moment was Dustin Hoffman's speech for Best Actor in 'Tootsie', where he spoke about the challenges of playing a woman and gained a new respect for women's experiences.
What happened in 1983?
Discover what the world looked like in 1983: