41st Academy Awards — Award ceremony presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for achievement in filmmaking in 1968
The 41st Academy Awards introduced several historic firsts, including the only tie for Best Actress in Oscar history and the first revoked Oscar after the ceremony.
Key Facts
- Best Picture Winner
- Oliver! — first G-rated film to win Best Picture
- Best Actress Tie
- Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand shared the award
- Hepburn Oscar Count
- First performer to win three lead acting Oscars
- Revoked Oscar
- Young Americans disqualified; Journey into Self awarded instead
- Venue
- Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles (first time)
- Stanley Kubrick
- Only career Oscar, for Best Visual Effects (2001: A Space Odyssey)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences annually recognizes outstanding achievement in filmmaking. The 1968 film year featured notable releases including Oliver!, The Lion in Winter, Funny Girl, Charly, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, producing a competitive field across major categories that set the stage for several historic outcomes.
On April 14, 1969, the 41st Academy Awards were held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles without a host, the first such ceremony since the 20th Awards. Oliver! won Best Picture, Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tied for Best Actress, Cliff Robertson won Best Actor for Charly, and Stanley Kubrick received his only Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
The ceremony produced lasting records: the only tied Best Actress award in Oscar history, Katharine Hepburn's unprecedented third lead acting Oscar, and the Academy's only revocation of a Best Documentary Oscar after discovery that Young Americans had premiered before the eligibility period. Controversy over Cliff Robertson's win prompted the Academy to address vote-solicitation practices.