While most of the action on Oscar night takes place on the Dolby Theatre’s stage, and is broadcast on television screens in more than 200 countries around the world, the small backstage area, where only a few few photographers selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are allowed access each year, it can be just as lively.
Times photographer Robert Gauthier is capturing all the commotion behind the scenes as winners make their way backstage and presenters wait in the wings. The stars mingle, reading their cue cards and watching offstage monitors.
Gauthier captured Jamie Lee Curtis breaking down in tears after accepting the best supporting actress Oscar and celebrating with her “Everything Everywhere All at Once” co-star Ke Huy Quan, who won supporting actor. Meanwhile, Rihanna and ASAP Rocky hugged, Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek Pinault shared a laugh, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh looked on in amazement, and an imposter donkey posed as Jenny from “The Banshees of Inisherin.”
Gauthier also shot last year’s ceremony, documenting “CODA” director Siân Heder hugging Elliot Page, Ariana DeBose’s victory walk, Jessica Chastain celebrating her lead actress win, Jane Campion showing off her trophy, and Venus and Serena Williams holding hands and talking. It also captured Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Francis Ford Coppola, who reunited for the 50th anniversary of “The Godfather” at the 2022 Oscars, looking at the monitors as Will Smith stormed onto the stage and slapped Chris. Rock. The backstage mood changed, to say the least.
Before retiring from The Times in 2021, photojournalist Al Seib captured the Academy Awards red carpet and backstage scenes for 16 years (and shot the Oscars for 37 years in total).
Here’s everything you missed behind the scenes:
Jamie Lee Curtis feels outmatched as she makes her way backstage after accepting the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan share a special moment backstage with their matching hardware.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
ASAP Rocky and Rihanna share a tender moment backstage.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Director Daniel Roher and Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, embrace after “Navalny” won the documentary Oscar.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
The man behind “Cocaine Bear”.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
That’s Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh for you!
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Lead Actor winner Brendan Fraser is visibly dejected backstage.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” producer Jonathan Wang, left, shows off his Oscar statuette.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert headline backstage. Who needs a jacket when they have six Oscars between them?
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Margot Robbie and Morgan Freeman chat backstage before going on stage together.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Ross White, Tom Berkeley, James Martin and Seamus O’Hara celebrate their win for the live-action short “An Irish Goodbye.”
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Stephanie Hsu and David Byrne head to the Dolby Theater stage to perform their song “This Is a Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Ruth E. Carter, winner of the costume design award, looks happy backstage after making history as the first black woman to win two Oscars.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Host Jimmy Kimmel is backstage joking around.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Friends and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” co-stars Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek Pinault laugh backstage before presenting an award together.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
The Oscar statuettes sparkle in the light.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Andrew Garfield and a surprised Florence Pugh wait their turn to take the stage.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
An imposter donkey dressed as Jenny from “The Banshees of Inisherin.”
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
