Burt Lancaster winning Best Actor

Burt Lancaster winning the Oscar® for Best Actor for his performance in "Elmer Gantry" at the 33rd Academy Awards® in 1961. Introduced by Bob Hope and presented by Greer Garson.

[@fatima1009]

Olivier, Lemmon, Lancaster, Tracy, what a powerhouse lineup

[@Playwright62]

Trevor Howard was also a tremendous actor. :)

[@carlosruiz184]

Never to be had again I’m afraid

[@jimtruscott5670]

So richly earned. Lancaster in Elmer Gantry remains one of the greatest of all film performances. I saw it in 1960 when I was 18 and still admire the performance and the movie.Just Great.

[@Kareragirl]

Handsome guy and a terrific actor.

[@mshahnazi7636]

Class act, humble and a true gentleman.

[@plasticweapon]

none of the above, but he was great anyway.

[@emmalancaster2013]

@@plasticweapon He was a huge champion of civil rights at a time when it was a most unpopular stance. That certainly shows he had class, tolerance, bravery and the the need to see justice.

[@merrlinn1]

I love Burt because he took risks. His production company made Sweet Smell of Success as the majors wouldn't touch it, for its raw subject matter...Burt and Tony Curtis are at their absolute best. One of the best films from the 50's.

[@tomgriggs2683]

Speaking of risky projects- how about Castle Keep?

[@legend9948]

Great movie the dialogue is impeccable still as raw as when the movie was made can't say that about many

[@johnfulton4061]

I am amazed that Tony and Burt were not nominated for Sweet Smell of Sucess

[@johnfulton4061]

I love Burt he played his roles from the heart you forgot he was acting I've seen his signature performances and in my not so humble opinion Elmer Gantry was his best performance

[@robertknuist9754]

Tony Curtis is electric in that movie

[@christopherfranklin972]

When 'Burt Lancaster' appeared on a cast list it was always safe to assume there would be one great performance.'The Train' is probably my favourite along with 'The Swimmer' and 'The Professionals'.

[@patrickg3618]

Train is also one of my favorites. Also really liked him "The Rainmaker".

[@jeffersonborges9932]

I saw ''Elmer Gantry'' yesterday! Burt's role is genius! The performances of Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons and Shirley Jones are the entire movie!

[@Gmartins5572]

And what is love?

[@jillkjv3816]

And Patti Page. "I'm on my way up to Canaan land. Glory, hallelujah! I'm on my way!"

[@edkeaton1085]

It's great to see Burt Lancaster win his Oscar for his work in "Elmer Gantry". Quite a talented man.

[@marks_sparks1]

My favourite actor gets his due reward. Thanks for the memories Burt.

[@madelainedelgado8595]

i loved him in The Rainmaker w/Katherine Hepburn. He was wonderful in Jim Thorpe-The All American; a movie everyone needs to see. A superb athlete, actor and gentleman. A man’s man.

[@WakandaBabe]

The Rainmaker is one of my favorite movies. Such a stellar cast!

[@NancySanders-om4ic]

I,completely agree with you,regarding the movie," Jim Thorpe,All American," a WONDERFUL film!

[@mickeyh1961]

Way long overdue but better late than never, Burt was such a versatile and talented actor with such a wide range of abilities he really tested himself and passed with flying colours , sadly his likes will NEVER be seen again. He contributed so much to Film and its art.

[@europeanamerican7658]

Greer Garson was so sweet, gentle and aristocratic. She obviously enjoyed the spotlight and loved cinema, she did not pretend to shun publicity or the Oscars. She loved Hollywood in a positive way, and it is gracious of her that she has accepted the award for absent winners many times, includimg Vivien Leigh in 1951.

[@evoman1776]

One of the most underrated actors ever. Could play any part...well, but almost never thought of when the greatest actors ever are mentioned.

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+evoman1776 Yeah, with good reason.

[@neelabhraroy4238]

Underrated?? The nut is 19th in AFI'S 100 YEARS 100 STARS

[@mjm5081]

All they need to do is watch From Here To Eternity. ❤

[@mjm5081]

@mike boultinghouse 😃

[@bluecolor1600]

TheChannel.TV Tell me the reason, if you know it so well!😂

[@WakandaBabe]

One of my favorite actors and a FINE, FINE man. Well deserved.

[@grantmcgowan8399]

Total Agreement..... always been a big fan.... "The Train" being one of my favourite movies....

[@johnnypastrana6727]

a tremendous talent...his role in "From Here To Eternity" was another indication of his great talent. Tough for me to root against Spencer Tracy and Jack Lemmon though.

[@josephfrancisneri]

See? Now, that's a thank you speech: short, and to the point.

[@frankiegray4569]

Burt was my favorite all time actor...he made all his characters come alive on the screen ...everything from The Killers to The Swimmer to Atlantic City. A great family man too..

[@DrCrabfingers]

He had a fuck pad! Where he used to entertain his women fans!!

[@Thatgirl1965]

My Mom resides in the assisted living where Burt's eldest Son, Jimmy resides. They are good friends, and he shows off his collection of Burt Lancaster memorabilia often. I just love it! Burt was literally my my late Father's Mother's favorite actor, as well. She would have loved to have an opportunity to meet Burt's son.

[@richardeast3328]

The Swimmer is a hidden gem of a movie.

[@bigtam462]

Absolute legend...loved him since I was a kid when I first saw the crimson pirate and the flame and the arrow.........his portrayal of Doc Graham in field of dreams chokes me up everytime I watch it...especially the scene with Kevin Costner in the docs office.....

[@gainal9080]

He was great but he had been married 3 times. I wouldn't call that a great family man.

[@LPMAN02]

RIP Burt Lancaster (November 2, 1913 - October 20, 1994), aged 80 You will always be remembered as a legend.

[@veramae4098]

I'm rewatching the bw "Judgement at Nuremburg". He played a Nazi judge on trial, whose history and character confounded Spencer Tracy (U.S. judge on tribunal). Fabulous performance of a good man sliding into wrong.

[@emmalancaster2013]

Probably the most gorgeous man who ever lived.

[@strattuner]

COMING up from being a child in the 50's60's AND on and on,he made pictures that showed a young man how to grow to his example,on screen he was genius from swashbuckler to hard nosed westerner to anything,no talent pushed him aside,gable,widmark-cooper-douglass all of the power actors of the real hollywood productions of westerns and other movies,he was really something,when HE spoke you listened,what an actor,RIP MR LANCASTER,missed by millions

[@jeffsmith2022]

Greer Garson, such a classy lady...

[@PeterMcDonald-sl9rt]

Gorgeous gown! A lady could wear that today! She somewhat humorously mentions "being to the point." Her " Mrs. Miniver" best actress acceptance speech was apparently one of the longest in Oscar history!

[@eileenmchale3140]

Love Burt Lancaster. So underrated. Perfect recognition. Xx

[@user-tg3tj2nq6v]

Are you for real? Burt Lancaster is listed as the 19th greatest actor by the AFI. Fair enough they rated him lower than Kirk Douglas which is a joke and I think Douglas himself would have laughed at that ranking. And clearly is farcical to include John Wayne in the list given that he could only play one role and people actually think he was really a cowboy and not an actor. Nevertheless if someone is within the top 20 then I'll say that's pretty good.

[@surferdude44444]

Burt, Kirk and Greg Peck.........the best ever.

[@randy56ish]

Another great performance which showed Mr. Lancaster’s range was in “Come Back Little Sheeba” with Shirley Booth.

[@WakandaBabe]

ABSOLUTELY. One of my favorite movies. And the wonderful Shirley Booth!

[@nhmooytis7058]

randy56ish loved that film, he played against type as Doc.

[@monicahaynes7295]

Shirley Booth was also excellent in that and in another film, I can’t recall title, opposite Anthony Quinn, who leaves her for another woman. Shirley was so good, my heart broke for her.

[@jillkjv3816]

And don't forget his unforgettable performance in Judgement At Nuremberg.

[@cihatyildiz3565]

Perfect actor and gentlemen.

[@smoothlady1983]

Could NOT have gone to a better actor!

[@alvaropelayo8084]

¡That wonderful Burt Lancaster!, always one of the best of them all!!!. God bless him and RIP.

[@antoniosalieri1048]

Burt was a good actor, but he was an atheist and didn't believe in God. I don't think he's resting in peace.

[@mortalclown3812]

@@antoniosalieri1048 Guess what. Everyone goes to paradise...eventually. Size up your deity if you don't know that. Paz y luz.

[@antoniosalieri1048]

@@mortalclown3812 not atheists though.

[@joshuagerthoffer2321]

​@Antonio Salieri Yes they do, clown.

[@6lr6ak6]

1961, long time ago, Burt was just a great actor and person.

[@outinsider]

A well deserved Oscar performance in a timeless film.

[@gloriadodds7102]

love him and this performance definitely did deserve an Academy Award.

[@raoul3605]

Just watched 'The Leopard' (1963), the first time I've ever seen Burt Lancaster. He was so good in the film that I wanted to see what he was like in real life. The difference has left me shocked and speechless.

[@jaymorgenthal9479]

Out of all the outstanding roles he played in a phenomenal career , this one was the best. He was Elmer Gantry. Not just in name but in every second he was on screen. My favorite of his many films.

[@Nastyfinger1444]

This so overshadows and surpasses the junk of today. No comparison.

[@lewisc215]

So don't watch the junk. DUH!

[@jyc313]

lol shut the fuck up.

[@filmneek]

You are absolutely right sir

[@joecanarsie5444]

I agree 100% these so called actors today couldn’t even shine the shoes of the golden era of movies

[@scotnick59]

Oh, by a large margin.

[@hcombs0104]

The beautiful, elegant, and classy Greer Garson. And Burt Lancaster! He took a lot of risks in his career, didn't he? We just don't have entertainers like these anymore.

[@MrImiller07]

Burt Lancaster was excellent in Richard Brooks' Elmer Gantry, and deserving of an Academy award, however, his performance as Robert Stroud in Frankenheimer's Birdman Of Alcatraz was beautifully understated and superb [ he was similarly nominated ]. Dramatically different characters and performances. He was also memorable as J.J. Hunsecker opposite Tony Curtis in Sweet Smell Of Success.

[@nhmooytis7058]

MrImiller07 Sweet Smell was a great film!

[@unclebobunclebob]

Both a star and actor extraordinaire....a rare combo.

[@nhmooytis7058]

unclebobunclebob yes, underrated today sadly.

[@benson5468]

Well put

[@drlee2]

Lancaster was phenomenal in The Swimmer (1968). That should have been one of his Oscar nominations.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

The Swimmer and Atlantic City are two of my favorite Burt Lancaster Films

[@avoncallin6154]

such a beautiful lady (r.i.p. greer garson)

[@renzo7575]

He was such a gorgeous man.

[@ynp1978]

Wow! what competition to win against!

[@Russ4704]

I really liked him in From Here To Eternity.

[@umavunga]

WHAT A YEAR THAT WAS! Inherit the Wind, Elmer Gantry, Sons and Lovers, The Apartment, The Entertainer - all in one year!!! We don't get anything like that anymore, just formulaic action-sex stuff. too bad!

[@jessewolf6806]

Dalton DeGaris yes, we have some great ones now too, e.g. Gary Oldman, but typically midgets today compared with these greats. No offense to short people.

[@grahammaio9801]

Also Psycho came out that year and Alfred Hitchcock received his final nomination as director for the film.

[@jillkjv3816]

We now get one actor slugging another. Despicable.

[@henriettaparks4266]

DALTON!!❤ YES I AGREE 👍 WHOLE HEATRDLY!! THESE 🎬 MOVIES, ISTILL ADORE!!

[@JOJO22858]

Burt Lancaster was one of the all-time greats from the very beginning of his career in THE KILLERS opposite Ava Gardner to the very end in FIELD OF DREAMS. He did a fantastic job in ELMER GANTRY playing a charlatan preacher. But one of my favorite performances of his was one of his last: ATLANTIC CITY opposite a young and beautiful Susan Sarandon in 1980.

[@josephkelley8641]

Burt also thought you a great writer, Truman.

[@barrygioportmorien1]

Well deserved by Burt, still my favourite actor, long gone from us.

[@mickeyh1961]

So well earned Burt, Is so correct, and in my opinion Burt could have had half a dozen more Oscars such an actor was he, he rarely ever made a bad or poor film and had such natural talent he could only be one of the greats on the big screen. Yes his acceptance speech was short and sweet but yet said so much about this man.

[@old2ply29]

This was a class act! Hollywood needs to learn from this era of actors.

[@joep8787]

Fine actor. Fearless actor who would tackle parts others would be afraid of. He was 53 and did the entire movie "The Swimmer" wearing nothing but a tight swimsuit. I can't see Marlon Brando, John Wayne, James Stewart or Rod Steiger taking on that role at age 53!

[@mr.deedsgoestotown6155]

He had such a great personality that it may have overshadowed what a truly great actor he was. He also possessed great humility. Any film he appeared in was that much the better for his presence.

[@gabrielaandrade3239]

My favorite and classic actor ever!

[@opaulamorgan4265]

Burt Lancaster, one of my favorite actors! From Here to Eternity, the Killers, the Young Hoodlums, Birdman of Alcatraz, Jim Thorpe, All American, believable and excellent in every part he played!

[@elizabethgalligan1805]

Great Actor. Loved it when he thanked the members of the academy who didn't vote for him!! Love Burt Lancaster 😊😍👍

[@mickeyh1961]

Burt played a variety of characters and all very convincing , as he had quiet a range and flexible ability.

[@davidalen9279]

well deserved for a classic actor!

[@johngianiris7722]

Miss Garson had class! 👍

[@logicalnetwork1611]

Burt Lancaster was a great actor. Very few actors had the class and talent Mr Lancaster possessed. His legacy will live forever.

[@jillkjv3816]

Those were the days, and we'll never get them back.

[@MrLoaded2012]

He was absolutely electric in "Elmer Gantry".

[@mattnbc00]

I am glad it wasn't an after thought award or lifetime achievement but was truly earned. Such great talent.

[@nikosk2950]

Great Burt.

[@aquariaaustin2077]

That was one incredible group of actors in some of the most iconic film roles of any era.

[@vonritter4945]

Solid line up of performances. An honor to be just nominated. For real. Gracious acceptance speech. Lessons all around.

[@nomeansno70]

One of the best!

[@DrCrabfingers]

Burt made so many incredible films. Always watchable and with a very appealing, unhurried way about him. He seemed very at peace with himself....I'd have loved to have met him.

[@M21L35]

My dear late Father's favorite actor....& 1 of mine as well.

[@mjm5081]

❤

[@hulasenorita]

he's truly one of the best actors! I love burt lancaster and my goal is to watch all his movies on TCM.

[@johnnypastrana6727]

Don't miss him in 'From Here To Eternity'.

[@MrRazorblade999]

The Leopard is by far the best. A masterpiece

[@steveellis9004]

The Rainmaker, with Katharine Hepburn.

[@mjm5081]

@@johnnypastrana6727 Absolutely!...In my opinion he is the heart and soul of that movie. ❤

[@kazkazzie3906]

Don't forget 'The Train'.

[@jimmyj1969]

The golden age of cinema!

[@TheTerryE]

5 amazing performances. Hard to choose among them.

[@lukereviewscriterion8062]

Now why the Oscars didn't give him the Oscar for Sweet Smell of Success, I'll never know why.

[@brookehanley3659]

Jack was great in The Apartment.

[@familypondman]

And better then the always unreal acting of Lancaster in all his movies!

[@MrImiller07]

Lancaster's performance in Elmer Gantry arguably represents his best work as an actor, although he also did a superb job in a more understated portrayal in Frankenheimer's Birdman Of Alcatraz. His competition in that year was staggering: Laurence Olivier as Archie Rice in The Entertainer; Spencer Tracy in his best late career performance as Henry Drummond i.e. Clarence Darrow in Kramer's Inherit The Wind and Jack Lemmon doing excellent work in Billy Wilder's The Apartment. Also Trevor Howard in Sons And Lovers, a great year for actors.

[@jeffreysuggs2799]

MrImiller07 If you're still around after 3yesrs Mr Tracy was more than wonderful in The Last Hurrah!!

[@buckeyewill2166]

MrImiller07 ....Can’t forget that hideous laugh. I remember when some televangelist fell from grace, the local TV network would show Elmer Gantry to pour salt into wounds.

[@antoniojoseperezlima806]

Lancaster was other Monster. Congratulations. In 2021. RIP.

[@edwardjames50]

A real man!

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+Rafael Storm And a real ham.

[@garyspence2128]

He wore it well, though. Don't forget "Seven Days in May, opposite Kirk Douglas, who wasn't exactly subtle either. Great movie stars and fine actors back then. When my parents would take me and my brother to the cinema. Elmer Gantry is still relevant today, and he gave a better sermon than these modern televangelists, the phonies!

[@MrGatewayski]

Laurence Olivier was never better than he was in "The Entertainer" and this was his personal favorite as well. But there can only be one winner.

[@georgealexander141]

Saw “Run Silent, Run Deep” recently. Good picture. He was great in it.

[@agustinloera9026]

How glamorous and serious where The Academy's Awards on the past. The elegance and the eloquence made that event an spectacular show and the winners a superstar. Today I even don't care to watch it, it make me mad see how low it fell. It is a shame.

[@shilo39]

When you see the other nominees that year you can see how great Burt was.

[@albertmontoya6413]

That's one of the greatest actors well deserved

[@Dinamo9000]

Great ! Big actor,forever Lancaster.

[@mickeyh1961]

Lancaster could see through what Hollywood was really about hence the reason he decided to set up his own company giving him more independence and freedom to express his talent.

[@gabrioxxx]

Greer Garson is absolutely stunning and a real Lady. Lancaster such an handsome man , great actor and a true gentleman. Where are these kind of stars today?

[@unforjguventus]

Great performance

[@valkyriesardo278]

Wow. That was a torren of applause. And what rough competiation that year. The Apartment is one of my all time favorite films. Very few do "bitter sweet" as well as Jack Lemmon.

[@robertmoraga1501]

Agreed. No regrets here with Burt, love him. But Jack's run as CC Baxter was great too! "It took six months for my knee to heal, but I was over the girl in two weeks." (paraphrase)

[@chelseapoet3664]

I adore The Apartment and pretty much Jack in anything.

[@madelena1234]

God he was handsome!

[@williaml4893]

Loved Atlantic City!!!!!

[@rickysisson4697]

Much regret that Anthony Perkins was not nominated for "Psycho", this is the one to remember for all-time.

[@ThomasTVP]

No. All the performances here were superb, and you can only nominate 5 actors. And don't forget that PSYCHO was a critical failure when first released.

[@meritofapproval]

Either way, he SHOULD have been nominated! Janet Leigh was nominated Best Supporting Actress, and Hitchcock was also nominated for Best Director.

[@anchitaroy9126]

He truly deserved it. While all those nominated were brilliant but his acting in Psycho was way ahead of its time.

[@laurajones1773]

Psycho in general is way ahead of its time. Same with Hitchcock’s direction.

[@turk5832]

That was quite a line up of actors Lancaster beat out!

[@iknownothing0]

Love you my man⭐️

[@acastrohowell]

I love Burt

[@johnslack9672]

Lancaster was a great actor who gave many superb performances, but his work in "Elmer Gantry" was certainly his best, and he definitely deserved the Oscar. No less brilliant was Jean Simmons, who deserved the Best Actress Oscar as well.

[@Toucanman12]

Thank you so much for posting this!!!!

[@lizdoyle7158]

The best actor ever Burt lancaster 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Could have been given oscars for all his movies 🎥🎥🎥🎥 The Train 🎥Birdmzn of alcatraz 🎥Sweet Smell of Success🎥Gunfight At the ok corrall🎥 Trapezee🎥 The Professionals🎥From here to eternity🎥Vera Cruz🎥The Leopard🎥and lots more 🎥

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

How could anyone chose they where all amazing and never been bettered roles., he deserves it of course they all where, when do we get a year when films of this quality are all in the same year

[@johnnypastrana6727]

Never...sadly, great movies are a thing of the past.

[@tarnsand]

Wow! That year had the best actors. I would have personally chosen Jack Lemmon or Spencer Tracy. But I've seen all five movies and they were all brilliant. I love how short their speeches were back then. That is the main reason why the Academy Awards are so boring now; all the speeches are ridiculously long.

[@tomgriggs2683]

Actors now deem themselves prophets and sages.

[@wotan10950]

Lancaster should have won several more: Birdman of Alcatraz, Sweet Smell of Success, among them. A difficult man, according to many sources, but a great versatile actor who always tried to expand into new roles.

[@870Rem12gauge]

Back when it wasn't a political statement.

[@marbury2403]

Blah, blah, blahhhhh.

[@turretgunner1]

And back when the acceptance speeches all lasted less than 30 seconds!

[@doloreswallin4381]

No one seems to remember a film Lancaster made called the Young Savages. It's really good.

[@beyond1957]

Burt Lancaster had it all. I recommend The Killers, his first screen role to you.

[@WakandaBabe]

Great movie. One of my favorites is 'The Rainmaker' with him and Katherine Hepburn.

[@samishahzad3968]

Wonderful superb great actor burt Lancaster legend

[@jefscolnago]

One of FEW, truly National Treasures.

[@margeshilling7983]

It was a magnificent performance.

[@mikaellams6797]

such a cute speech!

[@Tiberius291]

My number one favorite actor in many great movies. 🎬 🎥

[@bebaguette766]

Elmer Gantry rocks and Lancaster is just top actor. Sad that his Frankheimer collaboration didn't last as long as all the classic ones (Ullman and Bergman, Scorsese and Deniro), he could've used a few more classics, but man, totally favorite now. That physique, smile and the ability to play a scumbag, a hero, a cheat, an honorable man... Just awesome and always a joy.

[@zahidsworld87]

Just Listening the names of Nominees gives me shivers,Jack Lemonn,Trevor Howard,Spencer Tracy and Laurence Olivier....every single one is greatest than any award himself.....

[@lindamattioli7943]

So humble