HistoryData
general1986

58th Academy Awards — award ceremony presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for achievement in filmmaking in 1985

March 24, 1986

The 58th Academy Awards honored 1985 films, with Out of Africa winning seven Oscars including Best Picture, watched by 37.8 million viewers.

Quick Facts

Year
1986
Category
general

Key Facts

Date
March 24, 1986
Venue
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles
Categories awarded
23
Best Picture winner
Out of Africa (7 awards)
US television viewers
37.8 million
Hosts
Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, Robin Williams

By the Numbers

241,986
Date
23
Categories awarded
7
Best Picture winner
37.8
US television viewers

Location

Map of Los Angeles, United StatesMap of Los Angeles, United StatesLos Angeles, United States

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences organizes a ceremony to recognize outstanding achievement in filmmaking. The 58th ceremony honored films released during the 1985 calendar year, with nominations determined by AMPAS members across the film industry.

Event

On March 24, 1986, the 58th Academy Awards took place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, hosted by Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, and Robin Williams. AMPAS presented awards in 23 categories; Out of Africa led all films with seven wins including Best Picture, while The Color Purple won none of its eleven nominations.

Consequence

The ceremony drew 37.8 million US viewers and received mixed critical reviews of its telecast. Out of Africa's dominant performance cemented its legacy as the defining film of 1985, while The Color Purple's shutout despite eleven nominations became one of the most noted award-season outcomes of the decade.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 198619861983198419851987198819891986 FIFA World Cup qualification — Series of qualifying tournaments for the 1986 FIFA World Cup1986 FIBA World Championship — 1986 edition of the FIBA World Championship1986 World Men's Handball Championship — 1986 edition of the World Men's Handball Championship1986–87 UEFA Cup — 16th season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA1986 FIFA World Cup — 13th FIFA World Cup, held in Mexico1986 Formula One World Championship — sports season1986 Asian Games — 10th edition of the Asian Games1986 African Cup of Nations — football tournament58th-academy-awards-award-ceremony-presented-by-the-academ-1986