The very first Academy Awards ceremony was held in Hollywood at the Roosevelt Hotel in 1929. It was a black-tie affair but it was sparsely attended by today’s standards. Less than 250 people were invited. Douglas Fairbanks and William C. DeMille, Cecil B.’s older brother, passed out the awards after the assembled guests had finish their dinner. It took them about fifteen minutes and the event was not broadcast for the home audience.
Today’s Academy Awards are held at the Kodak Theatre, which happens to be almost right across the street from the Roosevelt Hotel. So, at least in location, the Oscars have come nearly full circle since their founding.
Academy Awards History Links
