Olivia de Havilland Wins Best Actress: 1950 Oscars

James Stewart presents Olivia de Havilland the Oscar for Best Actress for The Heiress at the 22nd Academy Awards. Introduced by Paul Douglas.

[@rogerkincaid931]

She was the last living cast of 'Gone With The Wind'. And now she's gone. RIP.

[@mrlaw711]

Just an awesome talent, and interesting personality. Doubt if this country will ever see this type of performers and class again.

[@marylizakowski6736]

Mickey Kuhn is still with us! He played Melanie's son Beau Wilkes. He is 87 years old today.

[@thetrickster4526]

​@@marylizakowski6736 he died in November 2022.

[@kaneki-ken96]

Rest In Peace Dame Olivia de Havilland 1916 - 2020 😢😭😢😭

[@gendolad]

Olivia De Havilland will be 100 years old on the 1st July this year 2016. God bless her.

[@drstrangelove6558]

+gendolad if she not die Before it.:(

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+dr strangelove Was that really necessary?

[@mconcaz]

gendolad as old as Kirk Douglas.

[@RonYoungAsElvis]

102 in 2018 still a classy lady!!!!!

[@BrooklynArch]

She is now 102!

[@jimr4319]

1949's "The Heiress" ...one of the few films one can refer to as practically flawless. Everything about this movie is beautiful. A "Wyler" masterpiece. Ms.DeHavilland richly deserved this oscar.

[@akrenwinkle]

"The Letter" is another Wyler gem. For me, anyway. I crack it open at least once a year.

[@errolpletcher9186]

​@akrenwinkle Bette Davis and William Wyler spun gold together. Jezebel, The Letter, and The Little Foxes. Too bad they couldn't work together after TLF.

[@hamstergirl4444]

I just finished watching The Heiress - it's one of the few movies of that era that I make sure to watch every so often. This was an Oscar richly deserved - one of the great beauties of Hollywood turned into a shy and homely Miss Sloper, sheer magic....and Montgomery Clift makes for some nice eye candy as well ;)

[@renegaderunner332]

She was also phenomenal in The Snake Pit!

[@jubalcalif9100]

Well said and well put ! "The Heiress" is one of my all time fave films: top notch in every dept (script, cast, music, direction, art direction, etc etc etc) ! Thank goodness TCM shows it regularly. A richly deserved Oscar for Olivia....though the entire cast is xlnt, especially Ralph Richardson as her distant father & Montgomery Clift as her suitor. Thanks for your thoughtful and perceptive comment !! :-)

[@5877user]

I’m like you. TCM plays it about once s year. I try to record it. Love the picture.

[@AmandaRS91]

Why doesn't anybody have a a voice like that anymore? So gentle and refined. She's such a lady.

[@ashadullahkhalid5271]

The actresses of that era were so beautiful.Absolute heart melting

[@outinsider]

Rest in Peace Olivia de Havilland (1916-2020). While there are some stars still with us today, your star ascending to the heavens is a sad loss for us all.

[@jamesfair4315]

I loved her first in Robin Hood with Eyrrol Flynn. I am so glad she lived so long. What an actress.

[@pokergalpoker]

Stewart and De Havilland had a love affair from '39 to '42 and yet not even a congratulatory kiss, but rather a simple hand shake. Hollywood was soooooooo different in those days!!!!

[@jubalcalif9100]

I notice that too.....gals and guys always seem to give each other a quick kiss when they meet at awards shows like this or on the various TV talk shows.

[@shihlin1]

She looks like a midget next to Stewart. Olivia can't be more than 5‘2" or 5‘3"

[@biancamatthews6844]

Well this moment was after they broke up. Jimmy actually proposed to Olivia during their time dating, but she turned him down. She believed Jimmy wasn’t ready for a wife. At this point, I believe Jimmy was already married to Gloria. So, I guess you can say they were civil of course... lol

[@deniserodas6848]

shihlin1 Jimmy Stewart was a tall man, he was around 6’3- 6’4.

[@datgemnig11]

She totally deserved that award

[@jubalcalif9100]

I could not agree more !!

[@gabrielbzg]

No way she did, the film n her role was lame

[@ronnieconner5908]

I totally agree! I also think she deserved a win for "Snake Pit", the year before!

[@drstrangelove6558]

De Havilland Had an INCREDIBLE performance in (the Heriess (1949)!!! It Was well Deserved in my Opinion, Argibly One of the Greatest best actresses Oscar winning acting performances ever!:)

[@jubalcalif9100]

I could not have said it better !! I totally agree !!

[@ifeelpretty5790]

Absolutely right! One of my favorite actresses, loved her in The Adventures of Robin Hood, Gone With the Wind and of course The Heiress.

[@Jnt2252]

When the Oscar’s awards had class. People dressed beautifully and no politics or violence.

[@grahammaio9801]

Lol. Do your research. The Oscars were founded on politics. And during the 1950s the government implemented the Communist Red Scare which affected many people in Hollywood. The Oscars even banned people from being nominated if they were suspected Communists.

[@tashaschneider1419]

Olivia has such incredible beauty and talent!

[@trumancapote9097]

This wonderful actress from the Golden Age of Hollywood just celebrated her 100th birthday in 2016. One of the OLDEST Oscar-winning actors of all time.

[@brookehanley3659]

And she won a few over the years. She was a good actress.

[@kaneki-ken96]

Happy 103rd Birthday Dame Olivia de Havilland 💖💖💖

[@MrCristoforoantonio]

i am glad that we can now see these old oscar telecasts!!

[@marychocolatefairy]

I was very pleased to be able to see her acceptance speech! Her performance in The Heiress is my pick for the best performance by an actress in the 1940s.

[@oscarfun100]

One of my favourite classic movies. Olivia was amazing in it.

[@MrImiller07]

I thought that De Havilland richly deserved the Best Actress Oscar for William Wyler's The Heiress; I believe that she won the New York Film Critics Award for her performance as well. In terms of the film marking "the end of her career" as a major star, De Havilland continued to act in major films- she starred opposite Robert Mitchum and Frank Sinatra several years later; she starred in Light In The Piazza, and won a Golden Globe in 87. She continues to thrive at age 98.

[@jubalcalif9100]

I have a notion to second that emotion ! Well said and well put ! She was sheer perfection in her role as Catherine Sloper !

[@shihlin1]

Don't forget deHaviland was also highly touted and expected to win the previous year for "The Snake Pit", but shockingly lost to future "Mrs. Ronald Reagan", Jane Wyman.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@shihlin1 Okay, Jane had poor taste in men. Not as bad as Eva Braun, but bad.

[@poetcomic1]

The reason this film never grows old? There are still countless Catherine Slopers, Doctor Slopers and Morris Townsends in the world and the story is timeless. I never forgot her hard ravaged face as she climbed the stairs after she left Morris pounding on the doors. She and Bette Davis were two great Wyler actresses who never gave a thought to looking less than glamorous if the part called for it.

[@gatewayski1]

Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine both great actresses. Miss Fontaine had very interesting leading men and I would have given her an Oscar for "A Letter to an Unknown Woman". But Olivia de Havilland was the greater actress of the two. It must have been sheer hell competing against each other in the same profession.

[@jacktwist5907]

Perhaps that competition made them better? Just a thought. They were both amazing.

[@gatewayski1]

Jack Twist Yes you are absolutely right. Both of them GREAT!

[@watchman1178]

I've always wondered which woman was more responsible for the fact that these sisters didn't have a good relationship with each other.

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+WATCHMAN 117 It was clearly Olivia who was a petty, jealous, exacting woman despite her gifts. Joan was younger and more beautiful, but did everything first: married, had a baby, won an Oscar. She wittily said, "If I were to die first, she would resent that too." Well, she did die at 96, perhaps just for spite. No word yet on de Havilland's reaction.

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+cats pajamas Don't really know what your comment has to do with what I said, but fair enough I guess.

[@Mrownica]

I am a man I was born in 1976 I saw Olivie de Havilland for the first time in the movie Captain Blood from 1935. Her appearance in the film was not only the appearance of an excellent actress but also an amazing beautiful girl when she was 19 years old she was young and beautiful actually hypnotized me You can it was possible to fall in love with her without memory at first sight. This film, due to her amazing beauty, not only spiritual, but also beauty, was deep in the mine mind. As soon as the news of her death appeared, I immediately remembered her actor creation in this film. Olivio died for the world I can only write rest in peace for me and for many other fans who love your by film creations you will live forever and you will always remain in our memory Robert from Poland

[@amparonarbona5142]

I think she should have won for Gone with the wind too.

[@brookehanley3659]

She was great but Hattie McDaniel really was better. She totally deserved it.

[@realkruti1013]

Hattie was better

[@drstrangelove6558]

One of the Most deserved Best actess Oscar Winners and one of the greatest acting performances of all time IMO!!!;) Here is What I Also Think it Should Have Gone by all the nominees: 1. Olivia De Havilland as Catherine Sloper (the Heiress (1949) 2. Jeanne Crain as Patricia (Pinky) Johnson (Pinky (1949) 3. Susan Hayward as Eloise Winters (My Foolish Heart (1949) 4. Deborah Kerr as Evelyn Boult (Edward My Son (1949) 5. Loretta Young as Margaret (Come to the Stable (1949)

[@nisiriti]

i loove both her and her sister!! great actresses and long well lived lives!! what else can anyone ask for??

[@lynnturman8157]

nisiriti uh.....I could see a piece of choclate cake right about now. Could I have that?

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+Lynn Turman You continue to go after my heart.

[@mrlaw711]

Joan was talented, too. I always enjoyed the bold part she played with Harry Belafonte in 'Island in the Sun.'

[@ncfeline1959]

Olivia De Havilland is the greatest! God bless her always!

[@georgimihailov4906]

Happy belated 100 birthday, Miss de Havilland!

[@Yesica1993]

Back when Hollywood had class!

[@zachw225]

March 23, 1950...

[@BarbieLiu]

Great actress! 👏👏 Loved her in gone with the wind.

[@poetcomic1]

Playing a thoroughly good woman is as tough a role as you can give an actress - so easy to fall into bathos and become cloying. Bette Davis pulled it off as well in 'All This and Heaven Too'.

[@evelioherrera2027]

My two favorite actors: Stewart & de Havilland

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

The Heiress is in my Top 10 favorite movies of all time. I watch at least part of it whenever it plays on TV. Olivia de Havilland, whom many called too pretty for the title role, really convinced that she was a shy, inelegant social disaster. She mentally transformed herself with an incredible amount of commitment. Her second best performance after her scorching work in The Snake Pit. And the movie! Wyler's direction is sublime.

[@drstrangelove6558]

Her performance as Sloper was way better the snake pit

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+dr strangelove You're entitled. But you sure you want to say WAY better? Yes, her Catherine Sloper was a great characterization. I don't dispute that. But Ms de Havilland's terrifyingly real performance in The Snake Pit is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest in screen history and should have earned her another Oscar.

[@drstrangelove6558]

ok.

[@ifeelpretty5790]

She's amazing in every movie!!

[@shihlin1]

TheChannel.TV Tell that to the future "Mrs. Ronald Reagan", Jane Wyman, who took home the Oscar for "Johnny Belinda".

[@henridelagardere264]

"I Surrender Dear" fanfare - Jimmy Stewart presenting Jeanne Crain, Olivia de Havilland, Susan Hayward, Deborah Kerr, Loretta Young - almost 3/4 of a century later, and you still know all the stars *and* all the films!

[@maurobogey]

Olivia is a greatest and wonderful STAR!!!!!

[@stephentutor5984]

R.I.P. TO THIS LEGENDARY ACTRESS💗

[@audiesteiner4510]

You were my favorite as a child, you were my favorite yesterday. You are my favorite today and will still be my favorite tomorrow. Rest in peace.

[@winthiscar]

RIP Olivia de Havilland. A legend in Hollywood.

[@bwlboy123]

The last light of the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema has gone out today with the passing of Olivia de Havilland. She was the last of the great screen idols. RIP.

[@mrlaw711]

Well said

[@shihlin1]

This second Oscar win for Olivia really capped off a Golden Decade for her. In the age of Bette Davis, this was no mean feat. The two later made a "Psycho Biddy" movie together, "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" in 1965.

[@sexyucatecovevo9811]

Olivia De Havilland will be 101 years old on the 1st July this year 2017. God bless her.

[@Pistolwhipperz]

I watched this for the first time last night. Such a great performance by Mme. de Havilland.

[@CallOSaulTitan]

July 26-2020 not only claimed Corona victims, Ennio Morricone, Kobe etc. But now, it also took the life of one of the last surviving Hollywood legends! RIP Olivia I literally just rewatched Gone with the Wind, due to HBO Max's temporary removal, just a few weeks ago! I loved the movie, and my mom & family would always spend at least once a year rewatching the movie. And not lying, I literally dreamt last night about Gone with the wind, and to my surprise, this happened. It was a bit Ironic that she died in the movie, but was one of the last surviving Cast members til today. Rest in Peace de Havilland. Gone with the Wind will always be one of my most favorite movies, like One Flew over the cuckoo's nest, Lawrence of Arabia, bridge over the River Kwai, LOTR, Chinatown, etc. I may be 24 years old, but I really love classic and old films!

[@kingamoeboid3887]

I adored Ennio Morricone for The Good The Bad And The Ugly and Once Upon A Time In The West and Olivia De Havilland for Gone With The Wind.

[@aryatalebniahir3843]

RIP...now all the classic legends are gone with the wind

[@searchforthestrangler5034]

102 years of age. Far outlived Errol Flynn. Still enjoy watching the two together. What a great life she continues to have.

[@JOJO22858]

Olivia de Havilland is STILL alive and well in 2012 at the age of 96 and living in France. One of the few screen stars from Hollywood's "Golden Age" of the 1940s who is still living, as well as her Oscar-winning sister joan Fontaine. If anyone wants to see another great (but later) performance from Miss. de Havilland, I would suggest seeing HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE starring Bette davis from 1964. Great atmospheric thriller starring TWO screen legends.

[@sonyaathena00]

Olivia alongside with Susan Hayward and Deborah Kerr, WOW!!

[@americandreamer6092]

Miss de Havilland's performance in 'The Snake Pit' will never be surpassed.

[@aurora.a6645]

Olivia de Havilland Soooo GOOD, Incredibly beautiful and talented!!!!!!!

[@patriciakeenan5448]

O....for that time when actors had CLASS.....& WHEN they won....didn't go on to give THEIR version of the Gettysburg Address...plus thanking everyone including the lavatory attendant....🌹🥀🌷

[@juliag.5114]

Please upload her sister Joan Fontaine winning in 1942 :)

[@phil123711]

Olivia has that grace and poise. A true lady. You don't see them these days.

[@eugenedowns2563]

A beautiful and succinct acceptance speech. This is what used to be called "well spoken." Interesting that she accepted the award from Jimmy Stewart, as the two had a romance that lasted several years.

[@KeithAbellanosa]

Olivia de Havilland is 97 today!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

[@lynnturman8157]

What people don't realize is the reason Olivia was so great in this movie was Montgomery Clift. Clift had a way of engaging the other actor in the scene that made said actor rise to their best. A lot of actors did their best work playing opposite Montgomery Clift.

[@blavia77]

One of my favourite performances ever!

[@coolsweetgroovy]

Here's a quote of Olivia De Havilland's "I'd much rather live in a world where a black actress who gave a marvelous performance won the award rather than me that's the kind of world I'd want to live in"

[@josealbertofreitas4862]

A lady, fantastic actress! RIP

[@gregherried5189]

I wish they made more movies like the heiress today Olivia de Havilland deserved her second Oscar for her Unforgettable performance as Catherine sloper Aaron Copland won a well-deserved Oscar for his haunting music score and Edith Head received another well-deserved Oscar for her costume design Ralph Richardson and Miriam Hopkins are also excellent in their supporting roles

[@soapwonder]

I thought I watched all of her movies, but have not watched The Heiress yet! Wow! She is amazing! She used to be so beautiful. Amazing to see this rare footage. Thank you.

[@dollyrama1132]

She was perfect in that role.

[@KeithAbellanosa]

And this is what I am waiting for! Olivia, you are my favorite actress! You are brave and brilliant! You deserve your two golden trophies!

[@BAMB9396]

R.I.P. Beautiful and great lady Olivia de Havilland. 😭😭😭

[@helgamalinovska]

So shy, so tender... rest in heaven angel 🙏

[@edphil6073]

Imagine , no video clips , no visual effects , no modern technology and yet everyone so fabulous.

[@arinugroho5047]

And she still alive! God bless her

[@ulilgaspard7230]

she 100 years old now!

[@jasonlindsey9946]

When it meant something to win an Oscar. One if not the best to ever set foot in Hollywood. Miss Olivia de Havilland. What a picture!!!!!!

[@5877user]

One of those pictures that can’t be made again because it wouldn’t be the same.

[@direfranchement]

From the days when acceptance speeches were gracious and eloquent as opposed to rambling, self-serving and wearisome. What a lady!

[@23jakesmith23]

RIP to Old Hollywood forever now.

[@edwardjames50]

Olivia was highly criticized in 1950, for so blatantly reminding people, in this speech, that she already had an Oscar at home. I guess the tables turned, because "The Heiress" marked the end of her career as a major star. (Ironically, presenter Jimmy Stewart had been her ardent lover in the early '40s. Listen again to the way he announces her name.)

[@KammybRich7000]

It might have been her way to sticking it to Joan Fontaine too, lol.

[@lynnturman8157]

Rafael Storm Yep. Whenever anybody says another person's name. I can always tell if they've been past lovers. Dead give away.

[@edwardjames50]

Lynn Turman(sigh) Aren't you parochial and pedestrian? Do you feel better, having said that? Jesus.

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+Rafael Storm Take a joke. Give Ms Turman some credit.

[@lynnturman8157]

Rafael Storm Don't forget pretentious...

[@kimr.5149]

The Heiress is a good movie!!! She is still living, 103 yrs old!!!

[@robskalas]

Beautiful and a class act!

[@newmanturbo5975]

RIP Dame Olivia de Havilland.... you'll be missed..

[@l.aw.t9727]

She out lived them all

[@juffan]

She should present an Oscar this year. Or go as somebodies date.

[@MrAgapito86]

Bella, forever Bella. Olivia de Havilland.

[@RonYoungAsElvis]

34YEARS OLD AND LOOKING BEAUTIFUL OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND !!!!!

[@cjordan1207]

Ten years earlier, she and James Stewart were dating. Great actress she was

[@albertmontoya6413]

Everyone looked so glamorous in those days the women didn't need to expose their boobs or anything else and the actor with their tuxedos

[@dariuscastillo3788]

Rip to the legend!!!! Love you always 😘💕

[@elosilva9688]

She is the best! I love you For Ever Olivia❤

[@frankmcgarry3155]

If I remember correctly Jimmy Stewart had a big crush on Olivia when he was a younger man and even offered to marry her.

[@coolsweetgroovy]

That's how it's been I've always been a fan of Olivia's and have lots of respect for Joan(although I've not seen all her movies) but to me Olvia has always come off as kind and gracious while to me Joan acts like a child

[@adrianosena2796]

Dame Olivia de Havilland descanse em paz😢📿

[@nealro1471]

Class and real talent all the way around! We Love You! Can't find that in Hollywood no more!

[@FabinhoFlapp]

Happy 102nd Birthday, Livvie! 💖🍾💫👏👏👏👏👏

[@emanuelecatellosantoro2913]

Rip Olivia, we'll miss u

[@jesusjavierondo6774]

Rest in peace olivia. A legend

[@MrDarrellmoo]

One of the few times in which the Oscars got it RIGHT!!! Olivia most definitely deserved that Oscar,

[@TotzkeMike]

She richly deserved it: a great performance.

[@texan903]

Without family, we're nothing. The way that de Havilland treated her sister then, even now, maligning her years after her death, I find Olivia appalling.

[@billybattsforprez]

Olivia still going 104 god bless

[@outinsider]

Deserving in the most. Quality recognition in quality films. If only films could be as quality as its actors. Now an actor can appear in a mediocre film and give a great performance when the performance should be equal to the film.

[@jimmyl324]

One of the greatest roles ever

[@teeramirez464]

I am heartbroken 💔 I love you in this role.

[@mrlaw711]

Hard to feel too sad. What a fantastic life!

[@albertobaudino1963]

Angel actor Singolare Forever ❤️🙏🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 Melissa reast in peace

[@leyrevikinga]

Pure class

[@JoseMendoza-iu4cw]

We miss you...Bob hope!!!