From Will Smith’s infamous slap to Robert Opel’s streaking incident, the Academy Awards have witnessed major scandals and controversial moments throughout history
The Academy Awards represent the annual congregation of some of the most powerful figures shaping contemporary society and culture.
Film stars, filmmakers, musicians, composers, campaigners, comedians and public figures utilise the occasion to, on occasion, make bold declarations, capture media headlines – though not always for the right reasons – and showcase their personalities.
From political activism to bizarre public demonstrations, here are some of the most contentious episodes in Oscars history.
1973: Marlon Brando rejects his Oscar statuette
The first significant politically motivated incident occurred in 1973 when Marlon Brando secured Best Actor for The Godfather but chose not to attend the event, reports the Mirror US.
In his place, he dispatched Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American campaigner, to accept the award on his behalf.
Dressed in traditional Apache attire, Littlefeather told those gathered: “He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award. And the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry.”
Her speech provoked mixed responses, with both jeers and cheers from the crowd. Brando subsequently explained the move on The Dick Cavett Show, saying: “I felt that it was a marvellous opportunity for an Indian to be able to voice their opinion to 85 million people.”
1974: Robert Opel streaks onstage
Twelve months on, the ceremony witnessed an unusual and unforeseen disruption when streaker Robert Opel dashed naked across the platform.
Host David Niven handled the situation with trademark composure, quipping: “Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”.
Opel, who was subsequently identified as a performance artist and gay rights campaigner, had somehow evaded security at one of the year’s most tightly protected occasions.
1997: Cuba Gooding Jr. ‘s passionate acceptance
At the 1997 Oscars, Cuba Gooding Jr. scooped Best Supporting Actor for his role in Jerry Maguire.
What started as a composed acceptance speech quickly spiralled when the orchestra started up – the customary cue for winners to wrap things up.
Rather than winding down, Gooding launched into an enthusiastic roll call of colleagues, including his co-star Tom Cruise, in a prolonged burst of exhilaration.
Looking back on that night, he shared with the American Film Institute: “I walked on that stage and emotionally lost my mind. I forgot who I was and where I was for a minute because I think I was closer to that character than any other character [I played] before. I think the emotional response I gave on that stage was the same thing [my character] would have given.”
2000: Angelina Jolie’s controversial gesture
In 2000, Angelina Jolie claimed Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted. Whilst accepting her award, she thanked her brother James Haven, declaring she was “so in love” with him, before sharing a fleeting kiss on the lips later that evening.
Jolie subsequently explained it was simply a display of sibling affection, though the incident sparked widespread discussion at the time.
2003: Adrien Brody kisses Halle Berry
Upon winning Best Actor for The Pianist, Adrien Brody’s response included an unexpected kiss with presenter Halle Berry. Brody swept Berry into his arms, leant her backwards dramatically, and joked: “I bet they didn’t tell you that was in the gift bag.”
The incident immediately dominated headlines, with Berry spending a considerable portion of the remaining speech dabbing her face.
Writing for Slate in 2016, Christina Cauterucci referenced the episode in a piece examining unwanted kisses as sexual assault, noting: “The most disheartening part of these images is that the women remain composed and gracious, keeping the focus on their respective events, even as their bodily autonomy is invaded.”
Berry herself reflected on the moment years afterwards: “Since we didn’t really kiss, I can’t tell you how good he was, but I can tell you this. He was wet.”
The pair subsequently recreated the infamous scene during the 2025 awards ceremony.
2016: Chris Rock addresses #OscarSoWhite
The 2016 awards brought racial diversity concerns to the forefront when host Chris Rock launched proceedings with a speech tackling the absence of non-white nominees in leading acting categories for a second year running. “I’m here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White People’s Choice Awards,” Rock said.
The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite had already been created by activist April Reign, sparking conversations about representation in Hollywood.
Rock’s 11-minute monologue, developed over six weeks with 17 writers, directly addressed the Academy’s history of excluding people of colour.
Producer David Hill reflected on the preparation: “We heard bits and pieces during rehearsals, but I hadn’t heard the entire [speech]. But of course I wasn’t worried about [what he would say]. He’s a pro.”
2017: Best Picture envelope mix-up
One of the most chaotic moments in Oscar history occurred in 2017 when presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announced the wrong Best Picture winner.
Due to an envelope error – in which the presenters got given the cue card to announce Best Actress Emma Stone for La La Land – La La Land was initially declared the winner.
Producers began giving acceptance speeches before Jordan Horowitz corrected the announcement, stating that Moonlight had actually won.
2022: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock
The 2022 ceremony featured one of the most widely discussed incidents in Oscar history when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage.
Rock had made a joke referencing Jada Pinkett Smith, prompting Smith to approach him and strike him across the face. Smith then returned to his seat, shouting, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth.”
Numerous Hollywood personalities, including Zoe Kravitz and Amy Schumer, voiced their opinions publicly as the incident swiftly evolved into one of the most chaotic celebrity confrontations ever broadcast live on television.
2025: Karla Sofía Gascón controversy
In 2025, Karla Sofía Gascón broke new ground as the first openly transgender performer to receive a nomination in a lead acting category for Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez.
Whilst initially celebrated for shattering boundaries, Gascón’s standing became controversial after historical social media posts resurfaced, containing offensive content, including derogatory comments about Islam.
Over several days, she released numerous statements, maintaining she was not racist, offering apologies to those hurt, and addressing cancel culture.
Gascón shut down her social media account and was notably absent from scheduled awards ceremonies in the subsequent weeks, including the Critics Choice Awards and BAFTA Awards.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
