Abraham Charles "Abe" Vigoda appeared in dramas, including
The Godfather, (1972) and in the ABC-TV comedy Barney Miller
(1975-1982) and the 1990 film Joe Versus The Volcano.

In 1953, the first nationwide televised Oscars ceremony was held, with Bob
Hope acting as the master of ceremonies (above).

 
John Wayne accepts the Best Director Oscar from Olivia DeHavillan for John
Ford who was absent during the 25th annual ceremony.

Bob Hope

The first Academy Awards of Merit (Oscars) were presented on May
16, 1929, at a private brunch at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with
an audience of about 270 people. Fifteen statuettes were awarded,
honoring artists, directors and other personalities of the filmmaking
industry of the time for their works during the 1927–1928 period.

Wings won for Best Picture and Emil Jannings won for Best Actor
for Last Command, although he never actually showed up for the
ceremony. The post Academy Awards party was held at the Mayfair
Hotel. The cost of guest tickets for that night’s ceremony was $5.

Emil Jannings

Douglas Fairbanks presenting the very first Best Actress
Oscar to Janet Gaynor

Peter Henry Fonda is the son of Henry Fonda, brother of Jane Fonda,
and father of Bridge. In 1968, he produced and starred in Easy Rider,
the classic film for which he is best known. Fonda was inducted into
the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.

 
Henry Fonda with young children Jane and Peter

Peter in a scene from Easy Rider

Duane Eddy will be 75 on April 26