Our Favorite Oscar Moments

Look back on the best speeches, biggest snafus and more.

ByABC News
February 19, 2015, 5:25 AM

— -- With the Oscars just days away, the staffers at ABC News began reflecting on past shows.

Below are a few of our picks for the best moments in Academy Awards history.

Ellen DeGeneres' Selfie, 2014: "Honestly, how can you ever top that selfie Ellen DeGeneres took with everyone from Bradley Cooper to Jennifer Lawrence? It was also the ultimate, 'Hey! Celebrities: they’re just like us!' moment, even though their selfie had more retweets than any of mine ever will." - Alexa Valiente, Digital Reporter

John Travolta's Flub, 2014: "I liked when John Travolta said, 'Adele Dazeem.'" - Genevieve Shaw Brown, Travel & Lifestyle Editor

PHOTO: John Travolta speaks during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre, March 2, 2014 in Los Angeles.
John Travolta speaks during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre, March 2, 2014 in Los Angeles.

Jennifer Lawrence's Big Night, 2013: "I will always love JLaw for tripping on her way up the stairs. It was just such a real moment that made you feel like you were watching your best friend up there." - Lauren Effron, Digital Producer

"Is Jennifer Lawrence flipping off the camera allowed to be mine? It’s just so epically YOLO, so DGAF, so aspirational. The girl can do no wrong in my opinion, bringing a measure of reality to an otherwise fantastical night." - Stefanie Tuder, Digital Associate Producer

PHOTO: Actress Jennifer Lawrence fell on the steps on her way to accepting her Oscar for the Best Actress for "Silver Linings Playbook" on Feb. 24, 2013, in Hollywood.
Actress Jennifer Lawrence fell on the steps on her way to accepting her Oscar for the Best Actress for "Silver Linings Playbook" on Feb. 24, 2013, in Hollywood.

Sandra Bullock Delivers an Emotional Speech: "I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched 'The Blind Side,' and I was rooting for Sandra Bullock to win for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. When Bullock won and made it to the podium, I just melted over her speech. It might not have been the most eccentric one of all times, but she seemed so real and genuinely appreciative. Bullock hit every note, from her opening quip: 'Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?' to thanking moms everywhere and hers, Helga B., for not letting her ride in cars with boys until she was 18 and for encouraging every step of the way: 'She was right. I would’ve done what she said I was gonna do. For making me practice every day when I got home. Piano, ballet, whatever it is I wanted to be.' Thanks, mom!" - Lauren Sher, Digital Producer

Hugh Jackman's Opening Number, 2009: When Hugh Jackman hosted in 2009, he opened the show with a semi-homemade opening number highlighting the best picture nominees. The combination of fake cardboard signs and stylized choreography was catchy, but the best part came when he pulled a seemingly-unaware Anne Hathaway for a cameo. With Neil Patrick Harris at the helm this year, comedic musical interludes are essentially a given but they will have to live up to the Jackman version! - Meghan Keneally, Digital Reporter

PHOTO: Jamie Foxx accepts his Oscar for "Ray" on Feb. 27, 2005, in Hollywood.
Jamie Foxx accepts his Oscar for "Ray" on Feb. 27, 2005, in Hollywood.

Jamie Foxx's Acceptance Speech, 2005: "I loved Jamie Foxx’s speech for 'Ray.' He said, 'I just see Oprah and Halle and I just want to say your names -- I want to talk to you later, both of you,' and then he opened up about his late grandmother. 'My daughter shares my grandmother’s name. She’s not here tonight. She was my first acting teacher. She told me stand up straight. Act like you got some sense. Act like you’ve been somewhere,' he said. 'She would talk to me and said, ‘I want you to be a Southern gentleman.’ She still talks to me now. Only now in my dreams. And I can’t wait to go to sleep tonight because we got a lot to talk about.'" - Michael Rothman, Entertainment Reporter

PHOTO: Actress Halle Berry accepts her Oscar for Best performance by an actress in a leading role on March 24, 2002.
Actress Halle Berry accepts her Oscar for Best performance by an actress in a leading role on March 24, 2002.

Halle Berry Winning Best Actress, 2002: "Hands down, my favorite Oscar moment is watching Halle Berry react to winning Best Actress for 'Monster’s Ball.' How could you not feel inspired after listening to that powerful acceptance speech? And who can forget that gorgeous dress!" - Alexa Valiente, Digital Reporter

PHOTO: Director and actor Roberto Benigni jumps on the back of some chairs in excitement after winning the Oscar for best foreign language film for "Life is Beautiful," during the 71st Annual Academy Awards on March 21, 1999, in Los Angeles.
Director and actor Roberto Benigni jumps on the back of some chairs in excitement after winning the Oscar for best foreign language film for "Life is Beautiful," during the 71st Annual Academy Awards on March 21, 1999, in Los Angeles.

Roberto Benigni's Huge Celebration, 1999: "Having a bad day or just need a pick-me-up? Google 'Roberto Benigni goes wild at the Oscars,' and watch what may be the most joyous celebration in Oscars history. Benigni's happiness after hearing that his film, 'Life Is Beautiful' had won for Best Foreign Language film is contagious, and his speech, in which he admits he wants to kiss everybody in the room, is a bit of a head-scratcher, but so, so sweet." - Lesley Messer, Entertainment Editor

PHOTO: Actor Robin Williams holds up his Oscar after winning in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for "Good Will Hunting" on March 23, 1998, in Los Angeles.
Actor Robin Williams holds up his Oscar after winning in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for "Good Will Hunting" on March 23, 1998, in Los Angeles.

Robin Williams Wins Best Supporting Actor for "Good Will Hunting," 1998: "I’ve always loved that all of Robin Williams’ Oscar nominations and his one win were for roles that were really introspective and emotional, despite him being primarily a comedian. His speech for this win was genuine and sweet -- the best part is when he calls out the young Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (at their first Oscars!) and says he wants to see their IDs." - Astrid Taran, Digital Content Associate

PHOTO: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, right, react to winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "Good Will Hunting"  at the 70th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 23, 1998.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, right, react to winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "Good Will Hunting" at the 70th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 23, 1998.

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Skyrocket to Fame, 1998: This moment from 1998 when some guys named Ben Affleck and Matt Damon win an Oscar for writing for 'Good Will Hunting.' Since they had few previous notable credits to their name, announcer describes them as 'childhood friends.' They’re seen hugging Robin Williams and it’s chilling; he looks so happy for them. They brought their moms and their acceptance speech is so awkward and funny." - Suzan Clarke, Digital Associate Producer

PHOTO: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet arrive at the 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 18, 1998.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet arrive at the 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Jan. 18, 1998.

"Titanic"'s Huge Night, 1998: "Two words: LEONARDO DICAPRIO. I was absolutely, 100%, head over heels obsessed with Leo and saw the movie four times in theaters. (NBD.) He broke my little fourth-grade heart when he didn’t show up to the Oscars because I couldn’t wait to see him and his long, flowing blonde locks in his tux, but at the least the movie swept up -- confirming that I did, indeed, have excellent taste." - Eliza Murphy, Digital Reporter

PHOTO: Cuba Gooding Jr. reacts and jumps on the stage at the Oscars in Los Angeles, on March 24, 1997. Gooding won best performance by a supporting actor for his role in "Jerry Maguire."
Cuba Gooding Jr. reacts and jumps on the stage at the Oscars in Los Angeles, on March 24, 1997. Gooding won best performance by a supporting actor for his role in "Jerry Maguire."

Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Acceptance Speech, 1997: "I love it because he loves EVERYBODY! It’s fun to see someone truly shocked and excited to win the award and to do what most of the winners probably want to do when they get on the stage -- jump up and scream!" - Katie Kindelan, Digital Producer