MOVIES
Why is it called Oscar? And other little-known facts about the Academy Awards
USA TODAY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded 92 years ago, and has a rich history. 24/7 Wall St. has identified 30 little known facts about the show – including just why the iconic trophy is called an “Oscar” in the first place.
30. A class by himself
Daniel Day-Lewis is the only person to have three best-actor Oscars. He won for "My Left Foot" (1989), "There Will Be Blood" (2007), and "Lincoln" (2012).
Jason Merritt / Getty Images30. A class by himself
Daniel Day-Lewis is the only person to have three best-actor Oscars. He won for "My Left Foot" (1989), "There Will Be Blood" (2007), and "Lincoln" (2012).
29. Coming up empty
In Oscar history, two movies tied for the most nominations without a win. "The Turning Point" (1977) and "The Color Purple" (1985) both got 11 Oscar nominations but failed to win any awards.
Courtesy Of Warner Bros.In Oscar history, two movies tied for the most nominations without a win. "The Turning Point" (1977) and "The Color Purple" (1985) both got 11 Oscar nominations but failed to win any awards.
28. And the Oscar goes to … Oscar
Composer Oscar Hammerstein II is the only person named Oscar to win an Oscar. He won for his song "The Last Time I Saw Paris" in the movie "Lady Be Good" (1941).
Z Arthur / Wikimedia CommonsComposer Oscar Hammerstein II is the only person named Oscar to win an Oscar. He won for his song "The Last Time I Saw Paris" in the movie "Lady Be Good" (1941).
27. Gone too soon
Heath Ledger and Peter Finch are the only actors to receive Academy Awards posthumously. Ledger won for best supporting actor in "The Dark Knight" (2008) and Finch won for best actor for "Network" (1976).
Frazer Harrison / Getty ImagesHeath Ledger and Peter Finch are the only actors to receive Academy Awards posthumously. Ledger won for best supporting actor in "The Dark Knight" (2008) and Finch won for best actor for "Network" (1976).
26. Popular music
With 51 nominations, composer John Williams has been recognized by the academy more than any other living person. His most recent nomination was last year for his score for "Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
Gerardo Mora / Getty ImagesWith 51 nominations, composer John Williams has been recognized by the academy more than any other living person. His most recent nomination was last year for his score for "Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
25. The wrong man
Alfred Hitchcock, the acclaimed director of films such as "Rear Window" (1954) and "Psycho" (1960), was nominated for best director five times, yet never won.
Express / Getty ImagesAlfred Hitchcock, the acclaimed director of films such as "Rear Window" (1954) and "Psycho" (1960), was nominated for best director five times, yet never won.
24. Better with age
The oldest actor ever to win an Oscar was Christopher Plummer, who won best supporting actor for "Beginners" at age 82. Plummer, who was nominated for the same award at 88 for his work in "All the Money in the World," is the oldest nominated actor as well.
Jason Merritt / Getty ImagesThe oldest actor ever to win an Oscar was Christopher Plummer, who won best supporting actor for "Beginners" at age 82. Plummer, who was nominated for the same award at 88 for his work in "All the Money in the World," is the oldest nominated actor as well.
23. An offer they couldn't refuse
Francis Ford Coppola's gangster epic "The Godfather: Part II" (1974) is the only sequel to have won the Academy Award for best picture.
Courtesy Of Paramount PicturesFrancis Ford Coppola's gangster epic "The Godfather: Part II" (1974) is the only sequel to have won the Academy Award for best picture.
22. By popular demand
Cinematographer Hal Mohr is the only person to win an award via write-in votes, as opposed to being nominated and then selected by voters. Even though he was not officially nominated, Mohr took home the award for best cinematography at the 1936 Academy Awards for his work on "A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Courtesy Of Warner Bros.Cinematographer Hal Mohr is the only person to win an award via write-in votes, as opposed to being nominated and then selected by voters. Even though he was not officially nominated, Mohr took home the award for best cinematography at the 1936 Academy Awards for his work on "A Midsummer Night's Dream.
21. The strong, silent type
Three actors have won Oscars for playing characters with no spoken lines. Jane Wyman won best actress in "Johnny Belinda" (1948), Sir John Mills won best supporting actor in "Ryan's Daughter" (1970), and Holly Hunter won best actress in "The Piano" (1993).
Courtesy Of LionsgateThree actors have won Oscars for playing characters with no spoken lines. Jane Wyman won best actress in "Johnny Belinda" (1948), Sir John Mills won best supporting actor in "Ryan's Daughter" (1970), and Holly Hunter won best actress in "The Piano" (1993).
20. The quiet man
When it comes to directing, John Ford is king. He won best director four out of the five times he was nominated, for "The Informer" (1935), "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), "How Green Was My Valley" (1941), and "The Quiet Man" (1952).
Allan Warren / Wikimedia CommonsWhen it comes to directing, John Ford is king. He won best director four out of the five times he was nominated, for "The Informer" (1935), "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), "How Green Was My Valley" (1941), and "The Quiet Man" (1952).
19. Making it look easy
Katharine Hepburn won four Oscars, the most of any actress, taking home awards for her work in "Morning Glory" (1933), "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967), "The Lion in Winter" (1968), and "On Golden Pond" (1981). She was nominated a total of 12 times.
Getty ImagesKatharine Hepburn won four Oscars, the most of any actress, taking home awards for her work in "Morning Glory" (1933), "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967), "The Lion in Winter" (1968), and "On Golden Pond" (1981). She was nominated a total of 12 times.
18. Denzel's distinction
Denzel Washington is the only African-American actor to win two Academy Awards. He won a best-supporting actor award for "Glory" in 1989, and a best-actor Oscar for "Training Day" in 2001. He's been nominated nine times, more than any other African-American actor.
Christopher Polk / Getty ImagesDenzel Washington is the only African-American actor to win two Academy Awards. He won a best-supporting actor award for "Glory" in 1989, and a best-actor Oscar for "Training Day" in 2001. He's been nominated nine times, more than any other African-American actor.
17. Everyman Jack
Jack Nicholson is the most-nominated male performer, with 12 nominations. He's won three times.
Kevin Winter / Getty ImagesJack Nicholson is the most-nominated male performer, with 12 nominations. He's won three times.
16. Without peer
Meryl Streep has been nominated for an Oscar 21 times, more than any other actor in academy history.
Christopher Polk / Getty ImagesMeryl Streep has been nominated for an Oscar 21 times, more than any other actor in academy history.
15. Scott's principled rejection
In 1971, George C. Scott refused to accept his award for best actor in "Patton." The actor cited his disagreement with the academy's voting process and the reduction of acting to a competition.
Courtesy Of 20th Century FoxIn 1971, George C. Scott refused to accept his award for best actor in "Patton." The actor cited his disagreement with the academy's voting process and the reduction of acting to a competition.
14. Breaking news
The Oscar winners' names used to be given to the press ahead of the ceremony, with the understanding that they wouldn't publish the results until after the ceremony. This changed in 1940, when the Los Angeles Times published the winners in its evening edition – before the ceremony had even begun.
Hulton Archive / Getty ImagesThe Oscar winners' names used to be given to the press ahead of the ceremony, with the understanding that they wouldn't publish the results until after the ceremony. This changed in 1940, when the Los Angeles Times published the winners in its evening edition – before the ceremony had even begun.
13. Trailblazer
Hattie McDaniel, the daughter of freed slaves, won the Oscar in 1940 for best supporting actress, the first Academy Award won by an African-American actor. McDaniel was the first of 12 African-Americans to win a best supporting actor or actress Oscar.
Courtesy Of Metro-Goldwyn-MayerHattie McDaniel, the daughter of freed slaves, won the Oscar in 1940 for best supporting actress, the first Academy Award won by an African-American actor. McDaniel was the first of 12 African-Americans to win a best supporting actor or actress Oscar.
12. In glorious technicolor
The first color film to win best picture was "Gone With the Wind" in 1940. At 234 minutes, it's also the longest film to win the much-coveted award.
Courtesy Of Metro-Goldwyn-MayerThe first color film to win best picture was "Gone With the Wind" in 1940. At 234 minutes, it's also the longest film to win the much-coveted award.
11. Oscar for sale – not
An Oscar winner technically is allowed to sell the trophies – with one catch. They must first offer it to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for just $1, per academy rules.
Kristian Dowling / Getty ImagesAn Oscar winner technically is allowed to sell the trophies – with one catch. They must first offer it to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for just $1, per academy rules.
10. Something for the kids Until it was discontinued in 1962, the academy would periodically award the pint-sized Academy Juvenile Award for most outstanding child talent. The first winner of this award was Shirley Temple in 1935. Other winners included Judy Garland and Hayley Mills. ALSO READ: 25 Companies With Over 40 Consecutive Years of Dividend Hikes
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
9. Where dreams come true Walt Disney is the most honored person in academy history. Disney was nominated 59 nominations and won 26.
Keystone / Getty Images
8. All in the family Liza Minnelli, who won best actress for her work in "Cabaret" (1972), is the only Oscar winner whose parents --“ Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli -- also won Oscars. ALSO READ: Teams With the Most Hall of Famers
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
7. Bad luck streak Sound re-recording mixer Kevin O'Connell was nominated for an Oscar 20 times without winning once, setting the record for most nominations without a win. This changed in 2017, when he won the award for best achievement in sound mixing for his work on "Hacksaw Ridge."
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
6. Take five Only three films have ever taken home all five of the most coveted Oscars: best picture, actor, actress, director, and writing. Those films are: "It Happened One Night" (1935), "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" (1976), and "The Silence Of The Lambs" (1992). ALSO READ: Worst States for Women
Courtesy Of Orion Pictures
5. A shooting star Actor John Cazale appeared in only five feature films before passing away at age 42 from lung cancer. Each of the movies he appeared in -- "The Godfather" (1972), "The Conversation" (1974), "The Godfather: Part II" (1974), "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975), and "The Deer Hunter" (1978) -- was nominated for an Oscar.
Courtesy Of Paramount Pictures
4. Breaking boundaries 1969's "Midnight Cowboy," starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight, is the only X-rated film to ever win best picture. ALSO READ: Most Dangerous Countries for Women
Courtesy Of United Artists
3. What about Brando? Marlon Brando, on the other hand, claimed to have lost -- or never received --“ his two Oscars for best actor, which he was awarded for his work in "On the Waterfront" and "The Godfather."
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
2. Hidden in plain view Kate Winslet claims to keep her Oscar in her bathroom, where her guests are sure to encounter it. Winslet won the best actress award in 2009 for her role in "The Reader." ALSO READ: 40 Places Young People Are Moving
Mike Windle / Getty Images
1. Why is it called 'Oscar?' According to the academy, one of the most popular explanations for the name "Oscar" dates back to at least 1934. Prior to her position as executive director, then-academy librarian Margaret Herrick remarked upon first seeing the statue that it resembled her Uncle Oscar. It wasn't until five years later that the academy adopted the nickname. The trophy's official name, however, is the Academy Award of Merit.
Carlo Allegri / Getty ImagesFeatured Weekly Ad