If you followed this link I know what you’re likely thinking: How many actors have been awarded Oscars that both not in a competitive category (meaning there were no nominations announced), and also not honored in a Lifetime fashion. It’s true there aren’t too many, but they are worth noting.

Some notes: Honorary Awards were once testing grounds for concepts before they were categories like Color Cinematography, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Editing, etc.

For each honoree I’ve included the Academy’s official blurb where available, and

For your edification here are the Honorary Oscars that are for an actors’ body of work over the course of their career:

2015

Maureen O’Hara on 2/22.

2014

Angela Lansbury and Steve Martin.

2013

Hal Needham

Is this the closest the Academy will get to acknowledging stunt performers?

2012

James Earl Jones

2011

Eli Wallach

AMPAS Governors Awards: Given ‘For a lifetime’s worth of indelible screen characters’.

2010

Lauren Bacall

In recognition of her central place in the Golden Age of motion pictures.

2003

Peter O’Toole

Whose remarkable talents have provided cinema history with some of its most memorable characters. (Oscar statuette)

2002

Sidney Poitier

For his extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the industry with dignity, style and intelligence. (Oscar statuette)

Robert Redford

Actor, director, producer, creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere. (Oscar statuette)

1996

Kirk Douglas

For 50 years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community.

1994

Deborah Kerr

An artist of impeccable grace and beauty, a dedicated actress whose motion picture career has always stood for perfection, discipline and elegance.

[Immortalized since my childhood in Brazilian singer/songwriter Rita Lee’s “Flagra.” Lyrics and audio can be found here, translations can be done on engines. ]

1991

Sophia Loren

For a career rich with memorable performances that has added permanent luster to our art form.

Myrna Loy

In recognition of her extraordinary qualities both on screen and off, with appreciation for a lifetime’s worth of indelible performances. (Oscar statuette) – Myrna Loy was not present at the awards ceremony. She gave her acceptance speech live via satellite from her Manhattan apartment.

1987

Ralph Bellamy

For his unique artistry and his distinguished service to the profession of acting.

1986

Paul Newman

In recognition of his many and memorable and compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft.

Paul Newman was not present at the awards ceremony. He gave his acceptance speech via satellite from Chicago.

1985

James Stewart

For his fifty years of memorable performances,, for his high ideals both on and off the screen, with respect and affection of his colleagues.

1983

Mickey Rooney

In recognition of his 50 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances.

1982

Barbara Stanwyck

For superlative creativity and unique contribution to the art of screen acting.

1981

Henry Fonda

The consummate actor, in recognition of his brilliant accomplishments and enduring contribution to the art of motion pictures.

1979

Laurence Olivier

For the full body of his work, for the unique achievements of his entire career and his lifetime of contribution to the art of film.

1976

Mary Pickford

In recognition of her unique contributions to the film industry and the development of film as an artistic medium.

Mary Pickford was not present at the awards ceremony. The presentation was made at her Pickfair estate and taped for inclusion in the broadcast.

1974

Groucho Marx

In recognition of his brilliant creativity and for the unequaled achievements of the Marx Brothers in the art of motion picture comedy.

1973

Edward G. Robinson

Who achieved greatness as a player, a patron of the arts, and a dedicated citizen … in sum, a Renaissance man. From his friends in the industry he loves.

Posthumously. Robinson died 2 months before the ceremony, after the award was voted on. His widow Jane Robinson accepted the award on his behalf.

1972

Charles Chaplin

For the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century.

1971

Lillian Gish

For superlative artistry and versatility in the creation of motion pictures.

Orson Welles

For superlative artistry and versatility in the creation of motion pictures.

Orson Welles was not present at the awards ceremony. His acceptance speech was pre-recorded.

1970

Cary Grant

For his unique mastery of the art of screen acting with the respect and affection of his colleagues.

1966

Bob Hope

For unique and distinguished service to our industry and the Academy (gold medal).

[The fourth time Hope was honored is the only one in which it seems to be for the whole of his career.

1961

Gary Cooper

For his many memorable screen performances and the international recognition he, as an individual, has gained for the motion picture industry.

Gary Cooper could not attend the awards ceremony. James Stewart accepted the award on his behalf.

Stan Laurel

For his creative pioneering in the field of cinema comedy. Stan Laurel was not present at the awards ceremony. Presenter Danny Kaye accepted the award on his behalf.

[Just Stan? Fair or unfair? Unfair.]

1960

Buster Keaton

For his unique talents which brought immortal comedies to the screen.

1959

Maurice Chevalier

For his contributions to the world of entertainment for more than half a century.

1957

Eddie Cantor

For distinguished service to the film industry.

1955

Danny Kaye

For his unique talents, his service to the Academy, the motion picture industry, and the American people.

Greta Garbo

For her unforgettable screen performances. Greta Garbo was not present at the ceremony. Nancy Kelly accepted the award on her behalf.

1953

Bob Hope

For his contribution to the laughter of the world, his service to the motion picture industry, and his devotion to the American premise.

[Number three. Since it cites the Motion Picture industry I do not cite it as an award for other services.]

Harold Lloyd

For his contribution to the laughter of the world, his service to the motion picture industry, and his devotion to the American premise.

1952

Gene Kelly

In appreciation of his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film.

1950

Jean Hersholt

For distinguished service to the motion picture industry.

Fred Astaire

For his unique artistry and his contributions to the technique of musical pictures.

Actors Awarded for Other Endeavors

There have been many cases where Honorary Awards have been specifically given to actors for work not onscreen. Here are those instances with the Academy’s blurb for each. When necessary I have expounded on them:

1945

Bob Hope

For his many services to the Academy (Life Membership in the AMPAS).

[Did hosting apply to this too?]

1943

Charles Boyer

For his progressive cultural achievement in establishing the French Research Foundation in Los Angeles as a source of reference (certificate).

1941

Bob Hope

In recognition of his unselfish services to the motion picture industry (special silver plaque).

1940

Jean Hersholt (president), Ralph Morgan (chairman of the executive committee), Ralph Block (first vice-president), Conrad Nagel (Motion Picture Relief Fund)

Acknowledging the outstanding services to the industry during the past year of the Motion Picture Relief Fund and its progressive leadership
(plaque).

Douglas Fairbanks

Recognizing the unique and outstanding contribution of Douglas Fairbanks, first president of the Academy, to the international development of the motion picture (Commemorative Award).

1938

Edgar Bergen

For his outstanding comedy creation, Charlie McCarthy (wooden statuette).

[Ventriloquism is performance, but since this award is for the creation of a character I consider it “another” contribution.]

1932

Walt Disney

For the creation of Mickey Mouse.

[Walt Disney received quite a few custom-created Oscars. This one I consider as an actor for another endeavor because he did start of drawing and voicing Mickey aside for conceptualizing him. Disney’s renown is justly more for producing and his creative/business acumen, but it did all start with a mouse which he was the driving force behind].

Actors Awarded For Singular Performances in Non-Competitive Ways

OK, now that we got the standards and the oddities out of the way we can discuss briefly the two single-performance Honorary Oscars ever. They are rare and each have their own unique circumstances.

1948

Song of the South: James Baskett

For his able and heart-warming characterization of Uncle Remus, friend and story teller to the children of the world, in Walt Disney’s Song of the South.

[Here I go talking about Song of the South again, I knew this was going to overlap here when I planned it.

Essentially this is the Academy taking up the idea after Disney’s urging. Baskett sadly died a most untimely death of heart failure shortly after his being awarded the Oscar.

1929

Charles Chaplin, The Circus

For versatility and genius in acting, writing, directing and producing The Circus.

Though nominated for best actor, the academy decided to remove Chaplin’s name from the competitive classes and instead award him a Special Award.

As I will look at in the defunct categories post when snubs come around thing were a lot different in the early days before the Academy gained prestige and standard operating procedures. Even though the blurb for Chaplin’s honorary award reads very complimentary between the lines it does seem to read like: “You were going to embarrass everyone, Charles, here’s an award now let’s all give some other folks a chance.” Whether personal, actual or business politics came into play I’m sure will never be confirmed, but it’s really one of the most head-scratcing decisions ever on the surface. We’re going to un-nominate you and give you an Oscar then re-award Best Actor of 1929. Weird to say the least. Not only were the Oscars new but the industry was in flux. Silent versus Talkies may have played into it as well.

Chaplin, of course, would go on to win another Honorary Award after long leaving the US, and again when Limelight made its way across the Atlantic after 20 years.

Conclusion

Anyone with further information on the Chaplin oddity, please do add some. Thank you. Next week I will discuss the short-lived and otherwise defunct Oscar Categories in the Snubs theme. I hope this was an enjoyable one even with the long lead-in citing conventional Honorary Winners.