Chapter 1
The decade of sweeping epics
Chapter 2
Acting royalty and historic breakthroughs
Chapter 3
Ceremony chaos and unforgettable moments
Chapter 4
Technical magic and genre breakthroughs
Ch 2 · Acting royalty and historic breakthroughs
schopenhauer The legendary pop icon cemented her acting credentials with a Best Actress victory.
Quiz
Which actor won Best Actor in 1989 for his portrayal of Christy Brown, an artist with cerebral palsy, in My Left Foot?
Quiz
At age 21, who became the youngest Best Actress winner in history for the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God?
Quiz
For which heartbreaking 1982 drama did Meryl Streep win her first Best Actress Academy Award?
BETA
schopenhauer Match legendary actors to their 1980s wins to discover acting royalty and historic breakthroughs.
schopenhauer Meryl Streep secured her status as an acting powerhouse with her first Best Actress win.
Quiz
Who won Best Actor in 1980 for playing boxer Jake LaMotta in the movie Raging Bull?
Quiz
At age 80, which actress became the oldest Best Actress winner in history for her role in the 1989 film Driving Miss Daisy?
Quiz
For what 1988 film did Dustin Hoffman win Best Actor playing an autistic savant alongside Tom Cruise?
Fun Fact
Matlin's historic speech: Marlee Matlin used American Sign Language to deliver her acceptance speech, with her interpreter translating for the audience.
Quiz
For which 1987 romantic comedy did superstar Cher win the Best Actress Academy Award?
Quiz
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1985 for his debut role in The Killing Fields, despite not being a professional actor?
Glossary
milestone (noun)
A significant stage or event in the development of something. In 1987, Marlee Matlin reached a major milestone as the first deaf performer to win an Oscar.
A significant stage or event in the development of something. In 1987, Marlee Matlin reached a major milestone as the first deaf performer to win an Oscar.