62nd Academy Awards — Award ceremony presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for achievement in filmmaking in 1989
The 62nd Academy Awards honored the best films of 1989, with Driving Miss Daisy claiming Best Picture among 23 categories awarded.
Key Facts
- Ceremony Date
- March 26, 1990
- Venue
- Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles
- Host
- Billy Crystal (first time hosting)
- Categories Awarded
- 23
- Top Winner
- Driving Miss Daisy (4 awards, incl. Best Picture)
- U.S. Viewership
- More than 40 million viewers
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes outstanding achievement in filmmaking from the preceding calendar year. The films eligible for the 62nd ceremony were released in 1989, a year that produced several widely acclaimed works including Driving Miss Daisy, Glory, and Born on the Fourth of July.
The ceremony took place on March 26, 1990, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, hosted by Billy Crystal in his first appearance in that role. AMPAS presented Oscars in 23 categories, with Driving Miss Daisy winning four awards including Best Picture. The telecast was produced by Gil Cates, directed by Jeff Margolis, and broadcast on ABC.
Driving Miss Daisy's sweep elevated its cultural profile, while Glory's three awards drew broader attention to its subject matter. The broadcast drew more than 40 million U.S. viewers, affirming the ceremony's continued reach. Billy Crystal's debut as host was well received, leading to multiple return engagements in subsequent years.