Exploring Oscar Ties: Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn's Historic Shared Win

Can There Be Ties at the Oscars? Looking Back at Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn’s Shared Win

Barbra Streisand, Katharine Hepburn. Getty Images(2)

Oscars are highly coveted awards in Hollywood. However, what happens if you have to share your trophy with someone else?

Ties at the Academy Awards have occurred only six times since the first Oscars in 1929. One of the most famous instances was in 1969 when Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn tied for Best Actress. This is the only time in Oscars history when two women tied in a category, and it is one of only two times there were ties in an acting field. (The other time was in 1932 when Wallace Beery and Fredric March tied for Best Actor for their roles in The Champ and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, respectively.)

Streisand and Hepburn's tie was shocking and remains so because it involved major names. Imagine if in 2019 Lady Gaga had tied with veteran Glenn Close — it would have been crazier than when Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announced the wrong Best Picture winner.

On April 14, 1969, Streisand and Hepburn were competing against Patricia Neal, Vanessa Redgrave, and Joanne Woodward. Streisand, then 26, was nominated for her role as Fanny Brice in the film adaptation of Funny Girl. It was her first time on the big screen after originating the role on Broadway and earning a Tony Award nod.

Can There Be Ties at the Oscars Looking Back at Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburns Shared Win

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Hepburn had already earned two Oscars for her roles in Morning Glory and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, in 1934 and 1968. Her third nomination in 1969 was for portraying Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion of Winter. This win made her the third actor to win an Oscar two years in a row and the first to win three lead acting Oscars. (She later won her fourth in 1982 for On Golden Pond.)

Both Streisand and Hepburn were at the peak of their careers when the unexpected happened. Even presenter Ingrid Bergman was surprised when she announced, "It’s a tie!" after revealing the winner from the envelope.

Hepburn chose not to attend award shows, believing that her work was the true reward. Despite receiving numerous nominations and wins, she only attended the Academy Awards once in 1974 to present an honorary trophy to a friend.

In contrast, Streisand was present at the ceremony and started her acceptance speech by quoting a line from Funny Girl, saying "Hello, gorgeous." Her outfit, a sheer black pantsuit, became as famous as her speech, although she later regretted wearing it as she did not realize it would be see-through under the lights.

"When I watched the video on TV, I was shocked," Streisand shared in her memoir, My Name Is Barbra, published in 2023. "It appeared like I wasn't wearing anything underneath. (In reality, it was lined with nude georgette.) I felt so embarrassed. Even now, just thinking about it makes me cringe."

Can There Be Ties at the Oscars Looking Back at Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburns Shared Win

There was a bit of controversy leading up to the 1969 Oscars regarding Barbra Streisand's win. Some questioned her eligibility since she had only recently been admitted to the Academy. She was a first-time movie actress and didn't meet the usual requirements to join. However, the Academy's president at the time, Gregory Peck, made an exception due to her history as a performer.

In a March 1969 article in The Hollywood Reporter, Peck praised her as a Broadway star with exceptional talent, widely recognized and admired in recent years. The actors' branch had the honor of accepting her, acknowledging her undeniable ability.

Streisand's admission into the Academy meant she had the opportunity to vote for herself, ultimately leading to her victory. It's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me!

More than 50 years later, Streisand and Hepburn’s shared victory remains the only “true” Oscars acting tie in history. While the aforementioned Beery and March tied in 1932, their draw doesn’t count as a “true” tie because March actually received one more vote than Beery, and Oscar rules at the time stipulated that any contender who came within three votes of the top-voted nominee also be a winner.

Even without that rule, another tie is still possible and could happen in any year and in any category. Will 2024 mark the seventh draw in Academy Awards history? An Oscar buff can only hope.

Editor's P/S:

The Oscars, a highly coveted award ceremony, has witnessed only six ties in its history, with the most iconic one occurring in 1969 when Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn shared the Best Actress award. This unprecedented tie, involving two legendary actresses at the peak of their careers, remains etched in Oscars lore.

Interestingly, Streisand's admission into the Academy, despite not meeting the usual requirements, raised questions about her eligibility. However, with the support of Academy President Gregory Peck, she not only qualified to vote but also ended up casting her ballot for herself, ultimately contributing to her victory. This unique circumstance highlights the Academy's flexibility in recognizing exceptional talent and its willingness to bend rules for deserving individuals. fact that they both received the same number of votes speaks to the strength of their performances and the high regard in which they were held by the Academy.