The Academy Awards aren’t known for a lot of shockers. However, there have been some pretty surprising winners in the past. Movie fans will no doubt be watching in 2012 to see if comedy star Jonah Hill wins an Oscar for his turn in “Moneyball.” A Hill win would definitely be stunning. But would it rank among the biggest Oscar surprises? Here are the five most shocking Oscar winners.
Adrien Brody – “The Pianist”
A poll of fans are more likely to remember Brody for planting a kiss on Halle Berry after winning his Best Actor Oscar than the actual role he played to win it. Brody was nominated with Jack Nicholson, Nicolas Cage, Michael Caine, and Daniel Day-Lewis. If that isn’t a heavyweight group of superstars I don’t know what is. All four had won Oscars in the past. But this was Brody’s turn to shine. Not only did he stun Berry with that kiss but he stunned us all by winning to begin with.
Juliette Binoche – “The English Patient”
The Oscars are as political as anything else. The supporting awards are proof of this. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that supporting Oscars are used to honor veteran actors that hadn’t won in the past. Think of them as a way to make up for a previous mistake. Lauren Bacall was one of those actresses that seemed like a lock to win the award on the sympathy vote. However, fans underestimated the seemingly endless drawing power of “The English Patient.” As a result, it was pretty shocking when her name was called.
Roberto Benigni – “Life is Beautiful”
There is nothing wrong with Benigni. He gave a delightful performance in this movie. But any movie fan knows that World War II is the kind of subject matter that the Oscars crave. That made the fact that Tom Hanks didn’t win for his role in “Saving Private Ryan” a stunner. Perhaps the Oscars decided that they had honored the one time star of cheesy comedies enough by giving him two Oscars in the 1990s. Still, Benigni over Hanks is definitely an upset.
Art Carney – “Harry and Tonto”
For those that might not remember, Carney rose to fame as a supporting player on “The Honeymooners.” He did a nice turn in this movie about an elderly man who takes an emotional journey. But it is pretty remarkable when you look at the actors he beat out. Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, and Jack Nicholson were among the actors that were left shocked that they didn’t win the award.
Helen Hunt – “As Good as it Gets”
Hunt was another sitcom star that suddenly found herself on the grand stag of the Oscars. She played a waitress in a light-hearted movie. As it turns out, working opposite Jack Nicholson has its benefits. Hunt ended up beating out the likes of Kate Winslet, Judi Dench, Julie Christie, and Helena Bonham Carter for the trophy.
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