The Academy Awards: Unraveling the 'Oscar' Nickname
The Academy Awards ceremony annually presents statuettes, commonly known as "Oscars," to top talents in Hollywood. Officially named the "Academy Award of Merit," the statuette was designed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer art director Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley in 1929. Its design features a knight on a film reel holding a crusader's sword. The statuette stands 13 1/2 inches tall and weighs 8 1/2 pounds.
The Academy officially adopted the nickname "Oscar" in 1939.
Investigation into the Nickname's Origin
Bruce Davis, a former executive director of the Academy, embarked on extensive research into the origin of the "Oscar" nickname. His findings were published in the 2022 book, "The Academy and the Award."
Debunked Claims for the 'Oscar' Nickname
Sidney Skolsky's Claim
Entertainment journalist Sidney Skolsky used "Oscar" in his column in March 1934 and claimed to have coined the term, referencing a vaudeville routine. However, Davis's research noted that the term appeared in industry publications prior to Skolsky's column, discrediting his assertion.
Bette Davis's Claim
Actress Bette Davis famously claimed she named the statuette "Oscar" after her husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr., upon receiving her first award. This assertion was made in her 1962 biography. Davis later retracted the claim in 1974, acknowledging that the term had appeared in print years before her first win in 1936.
More Likely Suspects in the Origin of 'Oscar'
Margaret Herrick's Claim
Margaret Herrick, the Academy's mid-20th-century librarian and executive director, reportedly referred to the statue as "Oscar" because it resembled her uncle. Davis expressed skepticism due to her later difficulties in identifying this uncle.
Eleanore Lilleberg's Theory (Proposed by Davis)
Davis's research points to Eleanore Lilleberg, an early Academy secretary and office assistant, as the most likely originator of the nickname. Her brother, Einar Lilleberg, stated that she began calling the statuettes "Oscar," a habit that caught on with staff. Eleanore reportedly named it after a tall and straight Norwegian veteran she knew from her childhood in Chicago.
Lasting Legacy of a Personified Award
The Academy Awards were among the first major pop culture awards, and the adoption of a personal name for its statuette significantly influenced subsequent ceremonies. Other prestigious awards, such as France's César Awards, Mexico's Ariel Awards, and Italy's David's, as well as the Emmy and Tony awards, later adopted similarly personified names for their accolades.