Will Smith Isn't The Only One! Here Are Some Of The Most Controversial Moments In Oscar History

Most of the people rubbed their eyes finding it hard to believe that what they saw happened for real. A joke became a catalyst for a slap that was heard around the world. Will Smith lost his cool and smacked Chris Rock, minutes before he won his first Oscar. He has apologised, not only on the stage but also issued a public apology on social media, but what happened on March 28, 2022, will go down in the history.

Will Smith wasn't the only one! Here are some of the most controversial moments from the history of Oscars that remains to be etched in the hearts of people despite so many years.

Also Read: 10 Movies That Made Noise At 2022 Oscar Awards And Where You Can Watch Them

1. Sacha Baron Cohen brought "ashes of Kim Jong-il" and spilled them over provoking North Korea in 2012.

He did this to promote his film - The Dictator. Following this, he was escorted off the red carpet. It was all fine initially when he came dressed up as dictator General Aladeen, a character from his film. However, things got ugly after he tipped the ashes over TV host Ryan Seacrest.

2. Angelina Jolie passionately kissed her brother in 2000.

Inviting publicity and incest jokes, Angelina Jolie passionately kissed her brother at Oscar's Party soon after she said she was "just so in love with my brother right now" as she accepted the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Girl Interrupted.

After the controversy, she told People, "First, we're the best of friends. And it wasn't some odd open-mouthed kiss. It was disappointing that something so beautiful and pure could be turned into a circus"

Her brother James said, "It was an amazing moment. Yet it was totally misconstrued." In another interview, he said, "She was about to go off to Mexico to finish filming Original Sin with Antonio Banderas. I congratulated her on the Oscar win and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. It was snapped and became a big thing."

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3. Jennifer Lawrence fell on her way to collecting her Oscar award in 2013.

At the age of 22, Jennifer Lawrence became one the youngest actress to win the Best Actress Oscar, but her historic win also marks one of the most memorable moments in the history of Oscars. As she went up the stage to collect the award for Silver Linings Playbook, she fell down on her way.

4. Robert Opel interrupted David Niven's speech by running naked across the stage in 1974.

American photographer and gay rights activist Robert Opel flashed a peace sign as he ran naked on the stage. Niven broke into laughter as Opel flashed the audience. Opel later told reporters, "People shouldn't be ashamed of being nude in public. Besides ¡ª it's a hell of a way to launch a career." He has snuck backstage posing as a journalist.

5. Marlon Brando rejected Oscar award for The Godfather via Californian Apache Sacheen Littlefeather in 1973.

When Marlon Brando won an Oscar, he sent Sacheen Littlefeather on stage to reject the award on his behalf. She read out a brief letter on why he wouldn't accept the award in protest against Hollywood's depiction of Native Americans.

6. The wrong film (La La Land instead of Moonlight) was mistakenly named best picture at the Oscars in 2017.

Mistakes can happen in live shows but what happened here in 2017 is something that people won't ever forget. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the winner of Best picture award La La Land. The producers came to the stage to give acceptance stage, and amid that, the mistake was rectified and announced that the original winner was Moonlight. This happened after the wrong envelope was handed over to the announcers.

7. Adrien Brody pulled host Halle Berry to give her a kiss in 2003.

After winning the award for his stellar performance in The Pianist, Andrien Brody pulled Halle Berry and said, "I bet they didn't tell you that [kiss] was in the gift bag". Berry was astounded as she wiped her lips and called the kiss "wet".

8. David Letterman joked about unusual names of Oprah or Uma joke in 1995.

David Letterman presented the award ceremony in 1995, and on stage, he said, "I have been dying to do something all day and I think maybe we can take care of it". He then introduced Hollywood A-listers by saying, "Oprah? Uma. Uma? Oprah. I feel much better. Have you kids met Keanu?".

Soon after this, New York Times wrote in an article, "Mr Letterman has a questionable mid-America habit of ridiculing names, including those of everyone from immigrant cabdrivers to store owners called Mujibur and Sirajul. Opening the awards ceremony, he zeroed in on Oprah (Winfrey) and Uma (Thurman), but quickly discovered that the audience found the routine somewhat less than amusing, even when he frantically added Keanu (Reeves).

9. Guilty of raping a minor, Roman Polanski won Best Director award in 2003 for The Pianist.

In 1997, Roman Polanski was arrested for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl. As a result of a plea bargain, he pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of unlawful sex with a minor. When he learned that the judge was planning to give him a prison term instead of probation, he fled the US. Despite this, he was awarded best director in 2003 by The Academy. He did not attend the award, because had he done that, he would have been arrested.

10. The 11 minutes that ruined Allan Carr's Hollywood career forever.

Producer Allan Carr who is credited with the infamous musical number at the Oscars never worked as a Hollywood producer ever again. Not only Disney sued Oscar for copyright infringement for showing Sno White, Hollywood biggies like Gregory Peck, Paul Newman and Julie Andrews wrote open describing the act as "an embarrassment to both the Academy and the entire motion picture industry." It was a parody version of Proud Mary which Robe Lowe performed with Eileen Bowman, dressed as the Disney princess. The whole thing was creepy to witness and Carr never worked as a Hollywood producer again.

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