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75th Academy Awards

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  • The 75th Academy Awards ceremony took place on the 23rd of March 2003, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. This event marked the eleventh time producer Gilbert Cates oversaw the telecast for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Actor Steve Martin returned to host the show for the second time after presiding over the 73rd ceremony in 2001. Cates selected Martin because he possessed wit, intelligence, and a sharp sense of humor suitable for the occasion. The Los Angeles Times reported that Cates had initially approached Billy Crystal but ultimately offered the role to Martin when Crystal remained undecided. Martin joked about hosting again by noting that fear and nausea always made him lose weight. This broadcast was also the first Oscar ceremony transmitted in high-definition television.

  • Chicago won six awards including Best Picture during the ceremony held in 2003. Adrien Brody became the youngest person ever to win Best Actor at age 29 for his role in The Pianist. Nicole Kidman became the first Australian actress to win Best Actress for her performance in The Hours. Meryl Streep earned her 13th nomination making her the most nominated actor in Oscar history. Jack Nicholson received his 12th nomination extending his record as the most nominated male performer. Julianne Moore became the ninth performer to earn two acting nominations in the same year. The song Lose Yourself from 8 Mile became the first hip hop track to win the Best Original Song award. Roman Polanski won Best Director for The Pianist while Hayao Miyazaki took home Best Animated Feature Film for Spirited Away.

  • The American-led invasion of Iraq affected the telecast and its surrounding events shortly after news broke three days prior. Several actors including Cate Blanchett, Jim Carrey, and Will Smith resigned from their roles as presenters citing safety concerns. AMPAS president Frank Pierson refused to delay the gala despite pleas from broadcaster ABC to postpone proceedings up to a week. Moving the festivities to a different venue would have been too expensive for the Academy according to Pierson. Red carpet festivities were severely curtailed and bleacher seats along Hollywood Boulevard were dismantled. Periodically during commercial breaks ABC News anchor Peter Jennings gave news brief updates regarding events happening overseas. Michael Moore accepted the Best Documentary Feature award for Bowling for Columbine by speaking out against President George W. Bush and the war.

  • At the time of the nominations announcement on February 11, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees reached $486 million in the US box office. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees with $321 million in domestic receipts. Gangs of New York followed with $70.1 million while Chicago earned $64.5 million. The Hours made $21.8 million and The Pianist brought in only $9.1 million. Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year 47 nominations went to 14 films on the list. Only The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ranked second overall while My Big Fat Greek Wedding came fifth. Spider-Man held the number one spot but received no major acting or directing nominations despite its massive success.

  • The American telecast drew an average of 33.04 million viewers over its length which represented a 21% decrease from the previous year's ceremony. An estimated 62.55 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards show. Television critic Robert Bianco of USA Today commended Martin's hosting performance for using wit and insider status to win crowd confidence. Tom Shales of The Washington Post gave high marks to Martin calling him a welcome sardonic voice amid usual self-adulation. Some media outlets were more critical of the show claiming Martin looked as though he had thrown in the towel backstage. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly bemoaned that Martin seemed off-key especially in the early going. Cable news coverage of the Iraq War diverted home viewers' attention and contributed to lower ratings compared to prior ceremonies.

Common questions

When and where did the 75th Academy Awards ceremony take place?

The 75th Academy Awards ceremony took place on the 23rd of March 2003 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. This event marked the eleventh time producer Gilbert Cates oversaw the telecast for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Who won Best Actor at the 75th Academy Awards and how old was he?

Adrien Brody became the youngest person ever to win Best Actor at age 29 for his role in The Pianist. Roman Polanski also won Best Director for The Pianist during this same ceremony.

Why were red carpet festivities curtailed during the 75th Academy Awards?

Several actors including Cate Blanchett, Jim Carrey, and Will Smith resigned from their roles as presenters citing safety concerns following the American-led invasion of Iraq. AMPAS president Frank Pierson refused to delay the gala despite pleas from broadcaster ABC to postpone proceedings up to a week.

Which film earned the highest box office gross among the 75th Academy Awards Best Picture nominees?

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees with $321 million in domestic receipts. Gangs of New York followed with $70.1 million while Chicago earned $64.5 million.

How many viewers watched the 75th Academy Awards telecast on television?

The American telecast drew an average of 33.04 million viewers over its length which represented a 21% decrease from the previous year's ceremony. An estimated 62.55 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards show.

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55 references cited across the entry

  1. 1newsA banner day for Oscar poster designerJeff Frank — March 22, 2003
  2. 2newsOscar Watch: Jann Carl, Chris Connelly, Jim Morel, Shaun RobinsonPMC — February 6, 2003
  3. 3newsReview: '75th Annual Academy Awards'Charles Isherwood — PMC — March 23, 2003
  4. 4newsOscar watch: Horvitz to direct kudocastPMC — November 24, 2002
  5. 5newsOscar taps old pal MartinJill Feiwell — PMC — November 7, 2002
  6. 6newsOscar Watch: Kate HudsonPMC — February 18, 2003
  7. 7news'Chicago's' BestDavid Elliott — Tribune Publishing — March 24, 2003
  8. 8news'Chicago' wins big; Polanski surprises The musical won six awards, including best picture. "The Pianist" won three, including best director. War casts shadow on Oscars Actor Actress Supporting Actor Honorary Supporting ActressCarrie Rickey — Philadelphia Media Network — March 24, 2003
  9. 9newsOscar Watch: Marisa TomeiPMC — February 5, 2003
  10. 10newsAnd This Year's Nominees Are...Bob Ross — Tampa Media Group, Inc. — February 12, 2003
  11. 11newsA night filled with surprise, emotionSteve Persall — Times Publishing Company — March 24, 2003
  12. 12newsChicago celebrates at OscarsBBC — March 24, 2003
  13. 13newsA kiss isn't just a kissSusan Wloszczyna — Gannett Company — March 30, 2003
  14. 14newsThe HarveysRobert W. Welkos — February 12, 2003
  15. 15news'Chicago' Tops Oscar Nominees; Miramax Lifted Into Front Ranks Among StudiosRick Lyman — February 12, 2003
  16. 16magazineMoore or LessDave Karger — Time Warner — February 11, 2003
  17. 17newsOscar's 9 best original song winnersAidin Vaziri — Hearst Corporation — February 26, 2012
  18. 18webThe 75th Academy Awards (2003) Nominees and WinnersAMPAS
  19. 19newsElegant MadmenDennis Harvey — PMC — March 9, 2003
  20. 20news75th Academy Awards Presenter and PerformersAMPAS
  21. 21newsCates to Lead OscarcastArmy Archerd — PMC — November 4, 2002
  22. 22newsGil Cates to Produce 75th Anniversary Oscar® TelecastNovember 4, 2004
  23. 23newsSteve Martin to host 75th OscarsBBC — November 7, 2002
  24. 24newsIt's Martin for Oscars 2003Robert W. Welkos — November 8, 2002
  25. 25newsMartin Meets Oscar AgainMarcus Errico — NBCUniversal — November 7, 2002
  26. 26newsTechnology: HDTV's Acceptance Picks Up Pace As Prices Drop and Networks Sign OnEric Taub — March 31, 2003
  27. 27harvnbPond (2005) p. 347Pond — 2005
  28. 28newsGlitz prevailsKathy Flaningan — Journal Communications — March 24, 2003
  29. 29harvnbPond (2005) p. 331Pond — 2005
  30. 30harvnbPond (2005) p. 328Pond — 2005
  31. 31newsOscar Gets Ready for a Difficult Role on Wartime StageRobert W. Welkos et al. — March 23, 2003
  32. 32harvnbPond (2005) p. 329Pond — 2005
  33. 33newsOscar's Red Carpet Fades to Black; Next Question, Will Show Go On?John Horn et al. — March 19, 2003
  34. 34newsNot only actors work hard to get to OscarsMax Paul — NBCUniversal — February 28, 2004
  35. 35newsHollywood Gears Up for Oscar PartyKeilly Oakes — BBC — February 28, 2004
  36. 36harvnbPond (2005) p. 344Pond — 2005
  37. 37news2002 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture
  38. 38web2002 Domestic Grosses
  39. 39harvnbPond (2005) p. 345Pond — 2005
  40. 40newsThe World: Acting Out; At the Oscars, a Cause and EffectEric Effron — March 30, 2003
  41. 41newsA Night Rules By Decorum. MostlyTom Jicha — Tribune Company — March 24, 2003
  42. 42newsA jolly good show — for a host of reasonsRobert Bianco — Gannett Company — March 24, 2003
  43. 43newsReview: Host Martin makes Oscars a great escape from grim realityRob Owen — Crain Communications
  44. 44newsThis Year, The Drama Goes to OscarTom Shales — March 24, 2003
  45. 45magazineThe ShowKen Tucker — Time Warner — April 4, 2014
  46. 46newsTelecast stumbles trying to find footing during wartimeSteve Johnson — Tribune Company — March 24, 2003
  47. 47newsA Muted CelebrationDavid Zurawik — Tribune Company — March 24, 2003
  48. 48newsWar coverage steals some of Academy Awards' thunderGary Levin — Gannett Company — March 25, 2003
  49. 49newsRatings Bomb as War RagesJoal Ryan — NBCUniversal — March 25, 2003
  50. 50newsAcademy Awards ratings
  51. 51newsShow goes on, but ABC sees its lowest-ever Oscars ratingAllan Johnson — Tribune Company — March 25, 2003
  52. 52webAcademy Awards Averages 41.3 Million Viewers; Most Since 2005Bill Gorman — Tribune Company — March 8, 2010
  53. 53newsPrimetime Emmy Award databaseATAS
  54. 54newsHBO, NBC Are Big Winners in First Wave of EmmysGreg Braxton — September 16, 2003
  55. 55harvnbPond (2005) p. 346Pond — 2005