"CODA" was the big winner of the night, taking home the Academy Award for best picture, while Jessica Chastain and Will Smith won best actress and actor in a leading role.
Winners who made history Sunday night included "The Power of the Dog" director Jane Campion, who became the third woman to win best director, and Troy Kotsur, who became the first deaf man to win an Academy Award for acting.
Troy Kotsur accepts the Actor in a Supporting Role award for "CODA" from Youn Yuh-jung onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, Calif.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
With the win, he became the first deaf man to win an Academy Award for acting; his “CODA” co-star Marlee Matlin became the first deaf performer to be nominated for and win an Oscar in 1987.
While accepting the award, Kotsur shared, “This is amazing to be here on this journey. I can’t believe I’m here. thank you so much to all members of the Academy for recognizing my work.”
“It’s really amazing that our film, ‘CODA’ has reached out worldwide,” he added. “I just wanted to say that this is dedicated to the deaf community, the C.O.D.A. community and the disabled community. This is our moment.”
After his win, many in the audience signed his applause.
Mar 27, 2022, 9:17 PM EDT
‘Encanto’ wins best animated feature film
Disney film “Encanto” wins the Oscar for best animated feature film.
“I’m so proud to be part of a film that puts diverse characters front and center,” “Encanto” producer Yvett Merino said.
Mirabel and Bruno are picture in a scene from "Encanto," a movie about an extraordinary family with magical gifts. Voiced by John Leguizamo, Bruno has been estranged from the Madrigal family for as long as Mirabel (voice of Stephanie Beatriz) can remember.
Disney
The film is also nominated for best original song and was nominated for best original score.
Mar 27, 2022, 8:46 PM EDT
Ariana DeBose wins best supporting actress for “West Side Story”
The 31-year-old actress beat out fellow nominees Jesse Buckley (“The Lost Daughter”), Judi Dench (“Belfast”), Kirsten Dunst (“The Power of the Dog”) and Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”).
Ariana DeBose accepts the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in "West Side Story" onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., March 27, 2022.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
DeBose’s big night comes exactly 60 years after Rita Moreno won for playing Anita in Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise’s 1961 version of “West Side Story,” which is based on the 1957 Broadway show of the same name.
“Dreams do come true,” DeBose said during her acceptance speech.
“To anyone who questions your identity - ever ever ever or find yourself living in gray spaces, i promise you this, there is a place for us,” she added.
Mar 27, 2022, 8:30 PM EDT
Co-hosts Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer open the show
Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer kicked off the star-studded award show with a hilarious monologue. DJ Khaled appeared onstage to hype up the trio on before they launched into their act.
Co-hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes, and Regina Hall speak onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, Calif.
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“This year the Academy hired three women to host – because it’s cheaper than hiring one man,” Schumer began.
“But I’m still excited to be hosting, representing Black women who are standing proud,” Hall said, while Schumer added, “And I’m representing unbearable white women who call the cops when you get a little too loud.”
They then touched on COVID, the Academy’s controversial decision to present eight categories before the show, 2022 Oscars snubs and the 2022 Golden Globes – laughing as they stated that it belonged in the Oscars “in memoriam” section.
“There was a lot of snubs this year -- Rachel Zegler for “West Side Story,” then Jennifer Hudson for “Respect” -- and Lady Gaga and Jared Leto for “House of Random Accents,” Sykes said.
“I was very disappointed that ‘Space Jam 2’ did not get nominated in that special effects category for that hairline they gave LeBron James,” Hall joked. “It was really good.”
They also commended Samuel L. Jackson for his honorary Oscar, before Sykes started joking about his qualifications. “I mean, I love him, he’s my guy, but I’ll be honest, there’s a few holes in his resume,” Sykes said. ” For real, like, where is the Sam Jackson rom-com?”
Sykes finished the opening act with, “We’re going to have a great night tonight, and for you people in Florida, we’re going to have a gay night.”
Hall and Schumer then began chanting “Gay! Gay! gay!”
