Wins Oscar
Paul Newman wins the Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Fast Eddie Felson who teaches his younger protegé (Tom Cruise) the art of pool hustling in Martin Scorcese’s The Color of Money (1986). Robert E. Wise accepts the award for Newman who is not present, with an interjection by Bette Davis:
Just a moment. I would like to congratulate Paul. I’m sure he’s listening; he is not here tonight. And this award, Paul, is long overdue. Robert Wise, a great friend of Mr. Newman’s, is accepting for him. And Mr. Wise is the winner of two Oscars himself: “The Sound of Music,” “West Side Story.” Yes. Now, now you get on. That’s right.