The history of the oscars - in pictures

  • Frank Sinatra admires his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for From Here To Eternity at the 1954 Academy Awards
    Frank Sinatra admires his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for From Here To Eternity at the 1954 Academy Awards
  • The first meeting of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was held on May 11, 1927 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel. All photos: Getty Images unless otherwise specified
    The first meeting of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was held on May 11, 1927 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel. All photos: Getty Images unless otherwise specified
  • Best Actor and Best Actress winners James Stewart and Ginger Rogers at the 1940 Academy Awards
    Best Actor and Best Actress winners James Stewart and Ginger Rogers at the 1940 Academy Awards
  • Walt Disney was the first person to publicly refer to the Academy Award as 'Oscar' at the 1934 awards
    Walt Disney was the first person to publicly refer to the Academy Award as 'Oscar' at the 1934 awards
  • The head of Hollywood studio MGM, Louis B Mayer, left, was one of the original founders of the academy
    The head of Hollywood studio MGM, Louis B Mayer, left, was one of the original founders of the academy
  • Grace Kelly clutches her Oscar at the 1954 awards after winning Best Actress for The Country Girl
    Grace Kelly clutches her Oscar at the 1954 awards after winning Best Actress for The Country Girl
  • With three Oscar wins from 20 nominations, Meryl Streep is the most nominated actor of all time. Here she holds her Oscar after winning Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs Kramer at the 53rd Academy Awards
    With three Oscar wins from 20 nominations, Meryl Streep is the most nominated actor of all time. Here she holds her Oscar after winning Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs Kramer at the 53rd Academy Awards
  • Jack Nicholson backstage at the 1998 Academy Awards. He won Best Actor for As Good As It Gets
    Jack Nicholson backstage at the 1998 Academy Awards. He won Best Actor for As Good As It Gets
  • The Oscar statuette is 35cm tall and weighs 3.6kg. It is made from bronze and covered in 24-karat gold plating
    The Oscar statuette is 35cm tall and weighs 3.6kg. It is made from bronze and covered in 24-karat gold plating
  • In 2002, Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win the Best Actress Oscar for Monster's Ball. Denzel Washington was the first African-American man to win the Best Actor category since Sidney Poitier in 1963, for Training Day. Photo: AFP
    In 2002, Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win the Best Actress Oscar for Monster's Ball. Denzel Washington was the first African-American man to win the Best Actor category since Sidney Poitier in 1963, for Training Day. Photo: AFP
  • Tom Cruise, whose film Top Gun: Maverick is nominated for Best Picture at the 2023 awards, waves to fans on the red carpet at the 1997 ceremony
    Tom Cruise, whose film Top Gun: Maverick is nominated for Best Picture at the 2023 awards, waves to fans on the red carpet at the 1997 ceremony
  • Leonardo DiCaprio presents Emma Stone with the Best Actress Oscar for La La Land at the 89th Academy Awards on February 26, 2017. AFP
    Leonardo DiCaprio presents Emma Stone with the Best Actress Oscar for La La Land at the 89th Academy Awards on February 26, 2017. AFP
  • Dustin Hoffman fools around on the red carpet as director Clint Eastwood looks on at the 77th Academy Awards
    Dustin Hoffman fools around on the red carpet as director Clint Eastwood looks on at the 77th Academy Awards
  • Ariana DeBose shows off her Oscar after scooping the Best Supporting Actress gong for Westside Story at last year's ceremony. AFP
    Ariana DeBose shows off her Oscar after scooping the Best Supporting Actress gong for Westside Story at last year's ceremony. AFP