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Why is the trophy called an Oscar?
That's still up for debate! One theory is that screen legend Bette Davis coined the nickname (2) in honour of her first husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson. Others claim that it originated from Academy executive secretary Margaret Herrick, who said the statuette reminded her of her cousin Oscar. Whatever the reason, the first press reference to the awards as Oscars came in March 1934 and the Academy officially adopted that name for its trophies five years later.
Who has the most Oscar nominations but has never won?
The living performer with the most Oscar nominations without a win is Glenn Close, who has been nominated eight times. Peter O'Toole, who died in 2013, was also nominated eight times but was awarded an Academy Honorary Award in 2002.
Has any nominee ever presented themself with an Oscar?
Weirdly (3) enough, yes! Way back in 1931, Norma Shearer both announced and then won the award for Best Actress for her performance in The Divorcee. After that, the Academy wisely stopped nominees from announcing their own categories.
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Who was the first Oscar to win an Oscar?
It was inevitable, really, but it didn't happen until 1942 when composer Oscar Hammerstein II won for the song The Last Time I Saw Paris from Lady Be Good.
He bagged another namesake (4) award for It Might as Well Be Spring from State Fair four years later.
Who is the youngest Oscar winner?
Tatum O'Neal was just ten when she took Best Supporting Actress for Paper Moon (in which she starred alongside her father, Ryan O'Neal) back in 1973.
At the other end of the scale, Christopher Plummer's win at the age of 82 for Best Supporting Actor in 2010's Beginners makes him the oldest performer to take home an Oscar.
Has a performer ever rejected an Oscar?
Yes, twice. Best Actor nominee George C Scott, who called the Oscars a "meat parade", won for his barnstorming performance in Patton in 1971 – despite having sent a telegram to the Academy asking not to be nominated.
In 1973, Marlon Brando was recognised as Best Actor for his iconic performance as Don Corleone in The Godfather, but he sent Native American representative Sacheen Littlefeather to make a speech instead, in protest at the US government's treatment of indigenous citizens.
What happens if the Oscars ceremony finishes early?
The show has become notorious for running long. But the opposite can happen! Back in 1959, Jerry Lewis was hosting when the Oscars finished 20 minutes before it was due to end. The comedian grabbed (5) the conductor’s baton and led the orchestra in song, proposing that the audience sing There’s No Business Like Show Business 300 times. NBC, who were broadcasting the ceremony, cut to a sports show instead.
1. To brush up on something = To improve one’s knowledge of it.
2. Nickname = Familiar or humorous name.
3. Weirdly = Strangely.
4. Namesake = A person or thing that has the same name as another.
5. To grab = To take quickly or roughly.
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