On April 7, 1970, the legendary actor John Wayne (above) won his first—and only—acting Academy Award, for his star turn in the
director Henry Hathaway’s Western True Grit.

                                         (1907–1979)

CAMILLE BOHANNON

SANDY KOZEL

On this day in 1970, an oxygen tank exploded on Apollo 13,
preventing a planned moon landing.

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held in Hollywood on May 16, 1929
with a mere 270 guests. The name Oscar would not used for another few
years. Emil Jannings was the first Best Actor and Janet Gaynor Best Actress.

The first 12 winners (and the 20 films that were given an honorary scroll of commendation) had already been revealed in the Los Angeles Times three
months earlier.

The inaugural awards were the only time in Academy history that the
ceremony wasn’t broadcast in some way; even a year later it was covered
live on radio.

ED DANAHUE

Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins is 82 years old today.

Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins is best known for his portrayal of the
ingenious serial killer Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs 
(1991), a role that won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He
has also played roles in The Mask of Zorro (1998) and Nixon (1995).  

Hopkins turned to TV in 2016 upon landing a starring role on HBO’s
series Westworld.  He was encouraged by actor Richard Burton to
pursue acting at age 15.