96th Academy Awards: Surprises and Milestones Mark Historic Night

 

Oscar® winner Emma Stone ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

96th Academy Awards: Surprises and Milestones Mark Historic Night

The curtain has closed on the 96th Academy Awards, leaving behind a night of unexpected wins and history-making moments.

Stone's Double Take Upsets Best Actress Race

The biggest surprise came in the Best Actress category, where Emma Stone emerged victorious for her role in "Poor Things." This win upended predictions that favored Lily Gladstone's acclaimed performance in "Killers of the Flower Moon." Gladstone's potential win would have marked the first time a Native American actress received the honor. Stone, however, adds another golden statue to her collection, joining the ranks of actresses with two or more Best Actress wins.

Murphy Makes History for Ireland

 Oscar® winner Cillian Murphy, ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Cillian Murphy etched his name in Oscar history as the first Irish-born actor to win Best Actor for his performance in "Oppenheimer." While Daniel Day-Lewis boasts three Best Actor wins, his dual British-Irish citizenship and London birthplace solidify Murphy's unique achievement.

Ruffalo's Nominations Pile Up

Mark Ruffalo's nomination for "Poor Things" marks his fourth in the Best Supporting Actor category, solidifying his position as the living actor with the most nominations without a win.

International Acclaim

 Oscar® winner Justine Triet, ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Justine Triet became the first French woman to win Best Original Screenplay for "Anatomy of a Fall," while "The Zone of Interest" became the first UK film to win Best International Feature Film. This victory hinged on the movie's non-English dialogue, which allowed the United Kingdom to submit it outside their usual category.

Animation Achievement

Hayao Miyazaki's "The Boy and The Heron" soared to victory in the Best Animated Feature category, becoming only the second non-English language film to achieve this feat. Miyazaki's earlier masterpiece, "Spirited Away," remains the other non-English winner.

Beyond the Golden Statues

Robert Downey, Jr., Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Emma Stone, and Cillian Murphy pose backstage with the Oscar® for Actor/Actress in a Supporting Role and the Oscar® for Actor/Actress in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

As the echoes of applause fade, a sense of camaraderie lingers. The Dolby Theater hummed with the joy and gratitude radiating from nominees and winners alike.  

A nomination itself signifies a successful campaign and recognition among peers. It's a night that celebrates storytelling in all its forms, and to all the nominees and winners, a resounding congratulations!