TMZ’s photo recap of notable moments from the Oscars is highlighted through their Top 10 selections in their photo gallery released on March 1st, 2023, before the start of the 95th Academy Awards, and has been updated since.
1. The Historic Quadruple Oscar Win by Sean Baker (2025)
Sean Baker made history when he won four Oscars for the film Anora, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. He joins Walt Disney as one of only two people in history to have won four Oscars in one night.
2. Kylie Jenner’s Oscars Debut (2025)
Kylie Jenner, reality star and longtime boyfriend of Timothée Chalamet, made her inaugural appearance at the Oscars, which was a huge milestone for her after years of appearing at after-parties only in an unofficial capacity.
3. Ryan Gosling Performs “I’m Just Ken” (2024)
Ryan Gosling electrified the audience at the 96th Academy Awards with an exciting and colorful performance of “I’m Just Ken,” which he performed after the film Barbie (2023) grossed over 1 billion dollars at the box office.
4. Emma Stone Wins Best Actress Award (2024)
Emma Stone shocked the audience by winning the Best Actress Award for Poor Things, defeating Lily Gladstone, who was considered the favorite to win for Killers of the Flower Moon.
5. John Cena at the 96th Academy Awards (2024)
John Cena presented the award for Best Costume Design at the 96th Oscars while nearly nude—just a pair of boots and a few strategically placed props—so the comedic effect would be maximal.
6. Will Smith punches Chris Rock (2022)
“Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in a confrontation that will last forever”: Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke that Chris made about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair, resulting in worldwide coverage.
7. Ellen DeGeneres’ Group Selfie (2014)
Ellen DeGeneres hosted a group selfie photoshoot at the Academy Awards with huge stars like Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep, in what became one of the most iconic photographs in the history of Twitter.
8. Sacheen Littlefeather Protests at the Academy Awards (1973)
Sacheen Littlefeather showed up in front of a live audience at the Academy Awards to accept the Best Actor Oscar awarded to Marlon Brando for The Godfather. She refused the award to protest the treatment of Native Americans in Hollywood, and the audience booed her.
9. Academy Awards 2017 – Best Picture Announcement (2017)
The most well-known envelope mix-up occurred when La La Land won the award for Best Picture. The Best Picture winner was supposed to be Moonlight, but an envelope mix-up gave the award to La La Land. This resulted in a shocked audience and lots of confusion on stage.
10. Sidney Poitier Wins Best Actor (1963)
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor, Sidney Poitier was the First African American to do so. He won this award for his performance in Lilies of the Field.
This moment symbolizes the Oscars’ glitz and glam, controversy, and milestones in filmmaking. The collection of photographs will show how the Oscars change from year to year!