21 Biggest Scandals in Oscars History

When a streaker interrupted David Niven’s introduction of Elizabeth Taylor, he joked “Isn’t it fascinating that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings.” Niven’s quick quip led many to wonder if the run, by photographer and gallery owner Robert Opal, was planned.

Upset for not being nominated for her role in “Mask,” Cher decided to take her revenge through fashion. When she presented the award for Best Supporting Actor, the singer/actress sayshayed out in a skimpy, two-piece outfit designed by Bob Mackie. To the surprised crowd, she said, “As you can see, I did receive my Academy booklet on how to dress like a serious actress.”

Rob Lowe was a young actor when he accepted the Academy’s offer to do a song-and-dance routine with actress Eileen Bowman dressed as Snow White at the 1989 ceremony. He soon regretted the decision. Although the song was written by legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch, it was a dud that left the audience cringing due to the lackluster performances of both singers. Lowe later told the New York Times that Disney threatened to sue over the performance.

Newcomer Marisa Tomei wasn’t expected to win for Best Supporting Actress in 1993 for her role in “My Cousin Vinny.” She was going up against two legends of English cinema – Vanessa Redgrave and Joan Plowright – so when Jack Palance called Tomei’s name, many doubted she was the true winner and assumed that Palance had gotten the name wrong, either because he couldn’t read the correct name or because he was drunk. Once he’d made the mistake, rumor had it, the Academy couldn’t renege. But in fact, Palance had read the right name, and the young actress was honored for her funny and sweet portrayal of Mona Lisa Vito.

Harvey Weinstein had longed for Oscar prestige and he finally got it with a Best Picture award for “Shakespeare in Love.” Although a lovely film, “Shakespeare in Love” beat out the favorite, Steven Spielberg’s WWII epic “Saving Private Ryan.” A 2017 Vanity Fair article reported that Weinstein’s strong-armed marketing tactics were the real reason behind the win. That same year, allegations first surfaced about Weinstein’s sexual harassment of women. Earlier this year, the disgraced movie mogul was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the 2013 rape of an actress in Los Angeles. This came in addition to an earlier conviction that netted him a 23-year term.