On Sunday night, for the 96th time, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hand out Academy Award statuettes, which many have referred to since the early 1930s, and the Academy itself has described since 1939, as “Oscars.”
The Academy has long asserted that these shiny gold figurines — which are now the world’s most iconic prizes, even more recognizable than the Nobel or Pulitzer variety — depict a knight standing erect and holding, right hand over left, a crusader’s sword (in order to defend the film industry), which pierces beneath him a reel of film with five spokes (representing the original branches of the organization, producers, actors, directors, writers and technicians).
The nickname “Oscar,” meanwhile, has been variously attributed, without convincing evidence, to the Academy’s early executive director Margaret Herrick (who supposedly said it reminded her of an uncle named Oscar), actress Bette Davis (who claimed it...
The Academy has long asserted that these shiny gold figurines — which are now the world’s most iconic prizes, even more recognizable than the Nobel or Pulitzer variety — depict a knight standing erect and holding, right hand over left, a crusader’s sword (in order to defend the film industry), which pierces beneath him a reel of film with five spokes (representing the original branches of the organization, producers, actors, directors, writers and technicians).
The nickname “Oscar,” meanwhile, has been variously attributed, without convincing evidence, to the Academy’s early executive director Margaret Herrick (who supposedly said it reminded her of an uncle named Oscar), actress Bette Davis (who claimed it...
- 3/10/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Love them or hate them, the Academy Awards remain a cornerstone of the movie industry and popular culture. Film fans everywhere tend to have a lot to say about the award show, even if it’s to get a few grievances about its existence off their chests. Through all of its ups and downs over the last 90+ years, that continued level of relevance is a testament to the power of the name “Oscars.”
But for as popular as that shorthand name for the Academy Awards may be, its origin remains surprisingly obscure. In fact, until very recently, we only had a vague idea of how, when, and why the name “Oscars” became synonymous with the Academy Awards. It’s a story that not only reveals the truth (or at least the partial truth) behind a question you’ve likely asked at some point but quite a lot about how the...
But for as popular as that shorthand name for the Academy Awards may be, its origin remains surprisingly obscure. In fact, until very recently, we only had a vague idea of how, when, and why the name “Oscars” became synonymous with the Academy Awards. It’s a story that not only reveals the truth (or at least the partial truth) behind a question you’ve likely asked at some point but quite a lot about how the...
- 3/8/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Oscar is 95 this year, meaning he’s been around longer than most of us. And many people assume the look of the award, his nickname and the structure of the annual voting … just kinda happened.
However, Bruce Davis details the thought and innovations behind these things in his authoritative new book, “The Academy and the Award: The Coming of Age of Oscar and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences” (Brandeis University Press).
Davis, who was AMPAS’ executive director for 20 years, dispels a lot of Oscar lore. No, neither Bette Davis nor the Academy’s Margaret Herrick came up with the nickname Oscar. No, Mexican actor Emilio Fernandez was not the model. Cedric Gibbons didn’t sketch out the design on the tablecloth at the Biltmore.
Davis also points out, “Contrary to widespread opinion, the Academy’s knight is neither naked nor bald.” Oscar is wearing a thong-like strap and has close-cropped hair.
However, Bruce Davis details the thought and innovations behind these things in his authoritative new book, “The Academy and the Award: The Coming of Age of Oscar and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences” (Brandeis University Press).
Davis, who was AMPAS’ executive director for 20 years, dispels a lot of Oscar lore. No, neither Bette Davis nor the Academy’s Margaret Herrick came up with the nickname Oscar. No, Mexican actor Emilio Fernandez was not the model. Cedric Gibbons didn’t sketch out the design on the tablecloth at the Biltmore.
Davis also points out, “Contrary to widespread opinion, the Academy’s knight is neither naked nor bald.” Oscar is wearing a thong-like strap and has close-cropped hair.
- 2/11/2023
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
This story about Bruce Davis and his book, The Academy and the Award, originally appeared in the Race Begins issue of TheWrap magazine.
When Bruce Davis retired in 2011 after 20 years as executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, he had an idea for how he might spend the first couple of years of his retirement: researching and writing a book about the history ofthe Academy and its award. After all, he knew the organization inside and out and he could get access to the voluminous internal files that were held in the AMPAS archives. “I told a lot of people, ‘I think it’ll take six months of research and maybe a year to write it,’” he said, laughing. “It was an exercise in naivete all the way along.”It took closer to a decade, but Davis’ book, The Academy and the Award, was published by Brandeis University Press this October.
When Bruce Davis retired in 2011 after 20 years as executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, he had an idea for how he might spend the first couple of years of his retirement: researching and writing a book about the history ofthe Academy and its award. After all, he knew the organization inside and out and he could get access to the voluminous internal files that were held in the AMPAS archives. “I told a lot of people, ‘I think it’ll take six months of research and maybe a year to write it,’” he said, laughing. “It was an exercise in naivete all the way along.”It took closer to a decade, but Davis’ book, The Academy and the Award, was published by Brandeis University Press this October.
- 11/11/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
If you happen to care about the history of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (at least in its first fifty years), you’ll have no shortage of reasons to read Bruce Davis’ forthcoming book, The Academy and the Award.
The boardroom fights—Davis, the Academy’s former executive director, got access to the secret files. The real story of the Bette Davis presidency. And those footnotes! In a note to Chapter 15, Davis describes running to the ground an old canard that had legions of ancient residents at the Motion Picture Home holding sway over Academy Awards voting. With the help of Price Waterhouse and his own membership department, he found that fewer than a half-dozen members were getting their mail at the home, and three of those hadn’t voted for at least five years.
The boardroom fights—Davis, the Academy’s former executive director, got access to the secret files. The real story of the Bette Davis presidency. And those footnotes! In a note to Chapter 15, Davis describes running to the ground an old canard that had legions of ancient residents at the Motion Picture Home holding sway over Academy Awards voting. With the help of Price Waterhouse and his own membership department, he found that fewer than a half-dozen members were getting their mail at the home, and three of those hadn’t voted for at least five years.
- 6/26/2022
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
Are the Oscars the same as the Academy Awards? The answer is yes. But there’s more to that question than initially meets the eye and the reason for those interchangeable names dates back decades.
Are the Oscars the same as the Academy Awards?
Yes, but the Academy Awards weren’t always known as the Oscars. In fact, for the first 10 years of the ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences simply referred to the statues as the Academy Award of Merit. But by 1939, the group had adopted the already widely used term “Oscar” or “Oscars” to discuss the award. According to the Academy Awards website, the nickname for the Academy Award of Merit came courtesy of Academy librarian (and later the eventual executive director of the Academy) Margaret Herrick, who had said the Academy Award of Merit bore a striking resemblance to her Uncle Oscar.
But the first...
Are the Oscars the same as the Academy Awards?
Yes, but the Academy Awards weren’t always known as the Oscars. In fact, for the first 10 years of the ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences simply referred to the statues as the Academy Award of Merit. But by 1939, the group had adopted the already widely used term “Oscar” or “Oscars” to discuss the award. According to the Academy Awards website, the nickname for the Academy Award of Merit came courtesy of Academy librarian (and later the eventual executive director of the Academy) Margaret Herrick, who had said the Academy Award of Merit bore a striking resemblance to her Uncle Oscar.
But the first...
- 3/11/2022
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why are Academy Awards called Oscars?” It’s a common question that has been given some murky answers throughout the years. The famous trophy’s official name is the Academy Award of Merit, which is pretty unsexy and a little too formal for the fun, glamorous Hollywood elite. Nobody wants to throw back a martini and hug their merit award. So, it’s no surprise that the Oscar nickname was officially adopted in 1939.
The most popular origin story credits Margaret Herrick for the famous moniker. Herrick was an academy librarian who later became the executive director of AMPAS. Upon seeing the statuette for the first time, she allegedly remarked that it looked like her Uncle Oscar. MGM art director Cedric Gibbons designed that original trophy and sculptor George Stanley then brought that design into three dimensions: a 13 1/2 inch bronze man plated in 24-Karat gold that...
The most popular origin story credits Margaret Herrick for the famous moniker. Herrick was an academy librarian who later became the executive director of AMPAS. Upon seeing the statuette for the first time, she allegedly remarked that it looked like her Uncle Oscar. MGM art director Cedric Gibbons designed that original trophy and sculptor George Stanley then brought that design into three dimensions: a 13 1/2 inch bronze man plated in 24-Karat gold that...
- 3/9/2022
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Why Are The Oscars Called “Oscars”?
Ever wonder why the Academy Awards are called the Oscars? Like most narratives in Hollywood, it’s a story lost to lore. The name credit primarily has been given to three assignors: Academy librarian Margaret Herrick, journalist Sidney Skolsky, and actress Bette Davis. The Academy officially adopted the nickname in 1939 making Oscar part of history.
Oscar was originally called the much more formal “The Academy Award of Merit,” which doesn’t quite have the personality that “Oscar” does. One of the academy’s founding members, MGM art director Cedric Gibbons, designed the original statuette: a sword-wielding crusader for the arts, standing on a film reel. He would go on to garner twenty-eight nominations and take home eleven awards. His collaborator, sculptor George Stanley reportedly modeled the statue after a Mexican model and actor Emilio “El Indio” Fernández.
Upon seeing the bronze and gold image...
Ever wonder why the Academy Awards are called the Oscars? Like most narratives in Hollywood, it’s a story lost to lore. The name credit primarily has been given to three assignors: Academy librarian Margaret Herrick, journalist Sidney Skolsky, and actress Bette Davis. The Academy officially adopted the nickname in 1939 making Oscar part of history.
Oscar was originally called the much more formal “The Academy Award of Merit,” which doesn’t quite have the personality that “Oscar” does. One of the academy’s founding members, MGM art director Cedric Gibbons, designed the original statuette: a sword-wielding crusader for the arts, standing on a film reel. He would go on to garner twenty-eight nominations and take home eleven awards. His collaborator, sculptor George Stanley reportedly modeled the statue after a Mexican model and actor Emilio “El Indio” Fernández.
Upon seeing the bronze and gold image...
- 10/9/2019
- by John Matsuya
- Gold Derby
With Oscar’s big day just days away, preparations and rehearsals continued Wednesday for the 87th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre.
Excited for the red carpet fashions and A-listers?
People has partnered with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to present the 2015 Oscar Fan Experience on Sunday, February 22nd. The People Oscar Fan Experience treats red carpet and movie buffs around the world with unprecedented access.
700 fans including People VIP subscribers were selected to watch and cheer nominees, presenters and film’s biggest stars with a full day Oscar experience on the most anticipated red carpet of the year. As the telecast begins, People Oscar Fan Experience guests will be whisked away for an exclusive viewing party at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.
“People is excited to partner for the third consecutive year with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,” said Karen Kovacs, Publisher,...
Excited for the red carpet fashions and A-listers?
People has partnered with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to present the 2015 Oscar Fan Experience on Sunday, February 22nd. The People Oscar Fan Experience treats red carpet and movie buffs around the world with unprecedented access.
700 fans including People VIP subscribers were selected to watch and cheer nominees, presenters and film’s biggest stars with a full day Oscar experience on the most anticipated red carpet of the year. As the telecast begins, People Oscar Fan Experience guests will be whisked away for an exclusive viewing party at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.
“People is excited to partner for the third consecutive year with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,” said Karen Kovacs, Publisher,...
- 2/19/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Why are the Academy Awards called the Oscars? Who came up with the "Oscar" name to refer to the awards handed out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences? Oscar historian Robert Osborne answers that question in a new video from the Academy that explores the history of Hollywood's most wanted golden man. Osborne explains that there are three people who claim to have nicknamed the statuette "Oscar," something that happened around 1935, roughly the seventh or eighth year of the Academy Awards. Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky, who got tired of writing about "the gold statue of
read more...
read more...
- 2/18/2015
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
©A.M.P.A.S.®
What a picture of the Oscar guy and host Ellen DeGeneres on the first official poster for the 86 Academy Awards! She looks great!!
Next Thursday morning, January 16th, the nominations will be announced Live and as in years past, Wamg will be reporting from inside the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. (8:30 a.m. Et / 5:30 a.m. Pt)
Achievements in up to 24 regular categories will be honored on March 2, 2014, at the 86th Academy Awards presentation at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. However, the Academy won’t know how many statuettes it will actually hand out until the envelopes are opened on Oscar Night.
Have you caught the snappy Oscar trailer starring Ellen rockin’ the tux? I can’t wait to see her opening monologue.
Although the number of categories will be known prior to the ceremony, the possibility of ties and of...
What a picture of the Oscar guy and host Ellen DeGeneres on the first official poster for the 86 Academy Awards! She looks great!!
Next Thursday morning, January 16th, the nominations will be announced Live and as in years past, Wamg will be reporting from inside the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. (8:30 a.m. Et / 5:30 a.m. Pt)
Achievements in up to 24 regular categories will be honored on March 2, 2014, at the 86th Academy Awards presentation at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center. However, the Academy won’t know how many statuettes it will actually hand out until the envelopes are opened on Oscar Night.
Have you caught the snappy Oscar trailer starring Ellen rockin’ the tux? I can’t wait to see her opening monologue.
Although the number of categories will be known prior to the ceremony, the possibility of ties and of...
- 1/8/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Each year come awards season we see hundreds of frozen grins and hear hundreds of ever so slight variations on that autopilot soundbyte "I'm just so honored to be ______." But how do the losing stars and snubbees really feel? One of my favorite things about celebrity biographies is that they have to dig a little deeper when it comes to the discussion of The Oscars; you can't fill whole books with soundbytes.
I was recently flipping through the new biography "Steve McQueen" by Marc Eliot and came across this passage on the Oscars. McQueen thought his sole nomination (The Sand Pebbles, 1966) was long overdue and eagerly participated in press events. He bought himself a burgundy Ferrari to reward himself for the nomination.
Yet on Oscar night, Paul Scofield won Best Actor...
The audience erupted in applause, even though Scofield was one of the many who did not show up. His co-star Wendy Hiller,...
I was recently flipping through the new biography "Steve McQueen" by Marc Eliot and came across this passage on the Oscars. McQueen thought his sole nomination (The Sand Pebbles, 1966) was long overdue and eagerly participated in press events. He bought himself a burgundy Ferrari to reward himself for the nomination.
Yet on Oscar night, Paul Scofield won Best Actor...
The audience erupted in applause, even though Scofield was one of the many who did not show up. His co-star Wendy Hiller,...
- 10/24/2011
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Alexa here. I was inspired by Jose's post on birthday girl Ingrid Bergman to share this vintage Motion Picture magazine of mine from 1945. Ingrid graces the cover, promoting her latest effort in Spellbound, just shy of her 30th birthday.
The interview inside, from the set of Alfred Hitchcock's film, was written in breathless prose by "famous movie reporter" Sidney Skolsky. (A little trivia: Sidney coined the name "Oscar" for the Academy Award.) Here are some gems from his piece:Ingrid Bergman, on the screen, looks like what an actress should look like. Even more so than the Turners, the Grables, the Fayes. Yet, in everyday life, it is common knowledge that many, even fans, pass her by without recognizing her. She uses almost no makeup at all, except a little lipstick and a slight dab of powder.
She will do practically anything to cooperate except pose for cheesecake art.
The interview inside, from the set of Alfred Hitchcock's film, was written in breathless prose by "famous movie reporter" Sidney Skolsky. (A little trivia: Sidney coined the name "Oscar" for the Academy Award.) Here are some gems from his piece:Ingrid Bergman, on the screen, looks like what an actress should look like. Even more so than the Turners, the Grables, the Fayes. Yet, in everyday life, it is common knowledge that many, even fans, pass her by without recognizing her. She uses almost no makeup at all, except a little lipstick and a slight dab of powder.
She will do practically anything to cooperate except pose for cheesecake art.
- 8/31/2010
- by Alexa
- FilmExperience
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.