1969 Academy Awards: Winners, Nominees & Moments | Takemeback.to (2024)

The Oscar for Best Movie went to Oliver!, directed by Carol Reed, starring Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, Oliver Reed produced in the United States of America.

The Oscar for Best Director went to Oliver!, directed by Carol Reed, starring Mark Lester, Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, Oliver Reed produced in the United States of America.

The Oscar for Best Actor went to Charly, directed by Ralph Nelson, starring Cliff Robertson, Claire Bloom, Lilia Skala, Leon Janney produced in the United States of America.

The Oscar for Best Supporting Actor went to The Subject Was Roses, directed by Ulu Grosbard, starring Patricia Neal, Jack Albertson, Martin Sheen, Don Saxon.

The Oscar for Best Supporting Actress went to Rosemary's Baby, directed by Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer produced in the United States of America.

• Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tied for Best Actress, the only exact tie in a principal Oscar category in Academy history.
• Stanley Kubrick won his only Oscar for Best Visual Effects for "2001: A Space Odyssey."
• The ceremony had no official host, marking the first time since 1939 that the Oscars went without a host.
• "Oliver!" won Best Picture, surprising many who expected "The Lion in Winter" or "Romeo and Juliet" to win.
• Cliff Robertson's Best Actor win for "Charly" was considered an upset, as many expected Peter O'Toole to win for "The Lion in Winter."
• Ruth Gordon, at age 72, won Best Supporting Actress for "Rosemary's Baby," quipping in her speech, "I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is."
• The ceremony was postponed for two days due to the funeral of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
• Jack Albertson won Best Supporting Actor for "The Subject Was Roses," beating out Gene Wilder's performance in "The Producers."
• Mel Brooks won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "The Producers."
• The documentary "Journey into Self," which won Best Documentary Feature, was later stripped of its Oscar when it was revealed to have been released in 1961.

• Who was the host of the 1969 Academy Awards?
  The 41st Academy Awards ceremony in 1969 did not have a host. It was the first time in Oscar history that the ceremony went without a host.
• What were the biggest surprises at the 1969 Oscars?
  One of the biggest surprises was the tie for Best Actress between Katharine Hepburn for 'The Lion in Winter' and Barbra Streisand for 'Funny Girl'. It was only the second time in Oscar history that there was a tie in an acting category.
• What were the most memorable speeches at the 1969 Academy Awards?
  The most memorable speech at the 1969 Academy Awards was likely Ruth Gordon's acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress for 'Rosemary's Baby'. At 72 years old, she quipped, 'I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is,' which drew laughter and applause from the audience.