Twenty years before Sidney Poitier received his Oscar, Hattie McDaniel made her mark on at The Twelfth Academy Awards. The actress changed the course of history when she officially became the first African American to ever receive an Oscar. McDaniel starred as the ‘Mammy’ in the 1939 classic, “Gone with the Wind.”
After the big night, the hotel in which McDaniel stayed in had a strict no-blacks policy but made an exception that one time. Crazy times! That film went on to win another seven Academy Awards.
The First Cast of Saturday Night Live
Behold the faces of America's finest comedians. "Saturday Night Live" was a real game-changer in sketch comedy. On Oct. 11, 1975, NBC Studios broadcast the very first time, the first episode of "Saturday Night Live" from the famous Studio 8H in New York City's Rockefeller Center.
The showrunner and creator (to this very day) Lorne Michaels gave us our first batch of SNL castmembers Laraine Newman, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, and Chevy Chase. He hasn't looked back a day since, as year after year, since 1975 the show has brought tears of laughter to people around the world.
Diane Keaton and Al Pacino
Diane Keaton has had her fair share of interesting romances. Back in the day, the actress dated stars like Woody Allen, Jack Nicholson Warren Beaty, and probably most hyped about, the legendary Godfather actor, Al Pacino. Keaton met Pacino on the set of "The Godfather Part III." The two began dating shortly after. Keaton admitted that she instantly developed a massive crush on her co-star, saying that he had"the most beautiful face. I think Warren was gorgeous, very pretty, but Al's face is like whoa. Killer, killer face."
While at the time Keaton initially wanted to marry Pacino, after it ended, the actress chose to stay away from marriage. In July 2001, Keaton commented on her decisions by saying "I don't think that because I'm not married it's made my life any less." At 50 adopted two kids. On her newfound Motherhood, she said: "It's just about the most completely humbling experience that I've ever had."
Jimi Hendrix Plays 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at the Woodstock Festival
On Aug. 18, 1969, the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix incorporated some good old patriotism on that Woodstock stage- a platform many would argue didn't' quite represent traditional American ideals. When the musician finished off his bit, he concluded it with the Star-Spangled Banner melody. His performance ended up being two hours long, the longest of his career.
Interestingly enough, this was not the first time Hendrix played the anthem. There are in fact almost 50 live recordings of Hendrix performing the national anthem, 28 of them before Woodstock
Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder
The indie couple of the early 90s, Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder were the black sheep of Hollywood. Both dark-haired beauties that took on some quirky films, their love seemed like a match made in heaven. The two met in 1989 at the premiere of Ryder's film "Great Balls of Fire!" - the classic biopic of the late Jerry Lee Lewis.
By the time they co-starred in "Edward Scissorhands" in 1990, the world was enamored by them. Constantly overwhelmed by the press, the public pressures weighed on their relationship. Eventually, they gave in and by 1993 decided to end it.