From Hattie To Halle: A Black History Of The Academy Awards

A look back at legendary moments at the Oscars.

Dorothy Dandridge - Dorothy Dandridge was the first Black actress to receive a nomination for a lead role, which was Carmen Jones (1954). (Photo: Allan Grant/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images)
Sidney Poitier - Sidney Poitier was the first Black male actor to receive an Oscar nod in 1958 for The Defiant Ones. Also, he is the first Black male to win an Oscar, which was for Best Actor in Lilies of the Field in 1963. (Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage)
Duke Ellington - Duke Ellington is the first African-American to be nominated for Best Original Score, which was Paris Blues (1961). (Photo: Bettmann / Contributor)
Rita Moreno - Rita Moreno is the first and only Latin American to win for Best Supporting Actress, which was for Westside Story (1961).(Photo: Taylor Hill/Getty Images)Isaac Hayes - The late, great Isaac Hayes was the first African-American to win in the Best Original Song category for the theme from Shaft (1971). (Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Next Gallery

Celebrity Birthdays: Sherri Shepherd Celebrates!

24 Photos

5 / 27

Sidney Poitier - Sidney Poitier was the first Black male actor to receive an Oscar nod in 1958 for The Defiant Ones. Also, he is the first Black male to win an Oscar, which was for Best Actor in Lilies of the Field in 1963. (Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage)

ADVERTISEMENT