Top 10 Most Controversial Oscar Winners
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Controversial Oscar Winners. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most scandalous or talked-about Academy Award recipients. What’s your favorite Oscar moment? Let us know in the comments below!
#10: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018) Wins Best Film Editing
“91st Academy Awards” (2019)
Given this biopic’s trouble production, it’s impressive that editor John Ottman managed to stitch together a coherent film at all. But, that excuse didn’t hold up when the movie won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing. Immediately, angry fans pointed out the movie’s noticeably rough transitions and pacing - including the particularly infamous scene where Freddie meets with his eventual manager. While most of the movie is solid enough, the strained edit job is hard to ignore, a sentiment that even Ottman himself has admitted. He blames studio interference and for the final product. But, either way, the Oscar is still in his hands - whether it’s deserved or not.
#9: “Green Book” (2018) Wins Best Picture
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“91st Academy Awards” (2019)
Long before Oscar nominations were even announced, this biographical drama faced serious heat for its white gaze and misrepresented narrative. To make matters worse, it was even condemned by the surviving family of the real-life inspiration, Don Shirley. “Green Book” couldn’t turn over a new page by the time awards season began, so its surprise nomination for Best Picture had many up in arms. Its eventual win felt especially tasteless given the strong slate of Best Picture nominees that year. The lineup included the likes of “Roma” and “BlacKkKlansman,” both movies that arguably outdo “Green Book,” but don’t have a Best Picture win to prove it.
#8: “Life of Pi” (2012) Wins Best Cinematography
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“85th Academy Awards” (2013)
At eleven Oscar nominations, this film’s artistic merits can’t be argued. But, of all its deserved acclaim, its success in the cinematography category caused some raised eyebrows. Both fans and industry veterans were quick to point out that “Life of Pi’s” sweeping visuals were almost entirely VFX - yet another Academy Award the film took home that night. It sparked a large debate about the ever-blurring line between the two art forms, and whether it was still fair to judge them independently. The discussion continues to rage on but, since the two categories are still separated years later, the Academy’s stance seems loud and clear.
#7: Marisa Tomei Wins Best Supporting Actress for “My Cousin Vinny” (1992)
“65th Academy Awards” (1993)
In 1993, a whole lot of Oscar pundits probably lost their bet on this one. While Marisa Tomei’s masterful comedic timing made her a total scene-stealer in “My Cousin Vinny,” she wasn’t the favorite going into the Oscars – not by a long shot. Tomei wasn’t even nominated for the Golden Globes or the BAFTAs, and yet, she rose above both in completely stunning upset. In fact, it was so surprising that it caused rampant conspiracy theories suggesting Tomei’s name had been mistakenly called. While that had to be hurtful at the time, Tomei would later joke about it. Over thirty years later, she can hold her head high and stand proud in still having her Academy Award.
#6: “Crash” (2004) Wins Best Picture
“78th Academy Awards” (2006)
Ironically, “crash” is exactly what this film did after making off with three Oscars. While the morally complex tale certainly has its moments, even contemporary reviewers noted its surface-level commentary. Modern consensus has been even less kind, and “Crash” consistently ranks among one of the worst Best Picture winners of all time. Although, in its defense, the enduring scandal has more to do with the film that didn’t win. To this day, many suspect that “Crash” was the safe vote compared to “Brokeback Mountain’s” LGBT storyline. That was seemingly proven when, in 2015, the Hollywood Reporter held a hypothetical revote with hundreds of Academy voters. That time around, “Brokeback Mountain” came out on top.
#5: Will Smith Wins Best Actor for “King Richard” (2021)
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“94th Academy Awards” (2022)
It’s safe to say the slap heard ‘round the world will never be forgotten - for better or for worse. It’s a real shame since, going into the evening, Will Smith was set to be remembered for his outstanding turn in “King Richard.” In the end, his actual win wasn’t all that surprising compared to the shocker of the evening. Suddenly, Smith, his palm, and his Oscar were at the center of a media storm. In a public apology the next day, Smith called his actions inexcusable, and accepted his decade-long ban from future Academy events.
#4: “How Green Was My Valley” (1941) Wins Outstanding Motion Picture
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“14th Academy Awards” (1942)
Of the frontrunners to win Best Picture in 1942, one of them is still hailed as a cinematic masterpiece. The other is nearly lost to time. Can you guess which won big? Despite what hindsight has to say, “How Green Was My Valley” beat out “Citizen Kane” for the night’s big award, as well as for Best Director, and Best Cinematography in black and white. To be fair, the former isn’t a bad film by any stretch of the word, but it just hasn’t had the same staying power of its main competitor. So, as tragic as it is, “How Green Was My Valley” is still mostly remembered for being the movie that robbed a bonafide classic of its rightful trophy. Though, clearly, “Citizen Kane” didn’t need the boost to be cemented in film history.
#3: Marlon Brando Wins Best Actor for “The Godfather” (1972)
“45th Academy Awards” (1973)
In the entire recorded history of the Oscars, there have only been a small handful of actors who have refused an award. One of them was Marlon Brando. Except, he didn’t just refute the trophy, he failed to show up to the ceremony at all. In his place, he had activist Sacheen Littlefeather read a statement on Brando’s behalf about the treatment of Native Americans in storytelling. At least Brando had good company, since his co-star Al Pacino also boycotted the ceremony due to his submission as a supporting actor instead of a lead. Even though two of its nominees didn’t show, “The Godfather” still went home with plenty of worthwhile accolades.
#2: “Shakespeare in Love” (1998) Wins Best Picture
“71st Academy Awards” (1999)
For the most part, the Academy tends to be rather liberal with its win distribution. Which is why it’s surprising when a film like “Shakespeare in Love” leaves with seven trophies under its belt. It was in some major categories, too, like Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and most controversially, Best Picture. While there’s certainly an argument to be made that comedy-leaning films aren’t given a fair shake, it’s hard to deny that Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” deserved the win. Some theorized that the marketing blitz around “Shakespeare in Love” gave it an unwarranted edge with voters. It may have worked back then, but it definitely hasn’t convinced modern audiences.
#1: Roman Polanski Wins Best Director for “The Pianist” (2002)
“75th Academy Awards” (2003)
Technically, the Best Director of 2003 didn’t even attend the Oscars. Not out of protest, but because Roman Polanski couldn’t risk entering the country at all. In 1977, he pleaded guilty to some very serious crimes, but fled before he could be officially convicted. That didn’t stop him from making films, though. 2002’s “The Pianist,” earned him widespread acclaim, an Oscar win, and even a standing ovation by the attending audience. All for someone who couldn’t even legally attend the ceremony. It’s difficult to find any justification for Polanski’s win, and even though the Academy booted him in 2018, many viewers felt like it was too little, too late.
