1982 Oscars 54th Academy Awards
- Winners Announced: March 29, 1982
- Held at: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
- Host: Johnny Carson
- Eligibility Year: 1981
1982 Oscars Trivia and Noteworthy Moments
- Henry’s Final Award: Henry Fonda won his only Oscar for On Golden Pond, and sadly, he passed away a few months later.
- British Underdog: Chariots of Fire, a British film, surprised everyone by winning Best Picture over the heavily favored Reds.
- Rising Star: At just 20, Timothy Hutton won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Ordinary People, setting a record for the youngest actor to win in that category.
- Duo Directors: Warren Beatty won Best Director for Reds and became one of the few individuals to be nominated in four categories for the same film.
- Women in Film: Katherine Hepburn’s Best Actress win for On Golden Pond made her the first actress to win four Academy Awards.
- Musical Milestone: The score for Chariots of Fire by Vangelis is iconic. It not only won Best Original Score but also became synonymous with slow-motion running scenes in later films.
- Viva la France: A surprise win for the foreign language film Mephisto from Hungary marked a departure from the traditional French and Italian victories in this category.
- The 54th Academy Awards was first year that the award for Best Makeup was presented; the winner was Rick Baker for his work on An American Werewolf in London.
1982 Oscar Nominees and Winners
Best Picture:
Chariots of Fire – David Puttnam, producer (WINNER)
Atlantic City – Denis Héroux and John Kemeny, producers
On Golden Pond – Bruce Gilbert, producer
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Frank Marshall, producer
Reds – Warren Beatty, producer
Chariots of Fire – David Puttnam, producer (WINNER)
Atlantic City – Denis Héroux and John Kemeny, producers
On Golden Pond – Bruce Gilbert, producer
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Frank Marshall, producer
Reds – Warren Beatty, producer
Best Director:
Warren Beatty – Reds (WINNER)
Louis Malle – Atlantic City
Hugh Hudson – Chariots of Fire
Mark Rydell – On Golden Pond
Steven Spielberg – Raiders of the Lost Ark
Warren Beatty – Reds (WINNER)
Louis Malle – Atlantic City
Hugh Hudson – Chariots of Fire
Mark Rydell – On Golden Pond
Steven Spielberg – Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Actor:
Henry Fonda – On Golden Pond as Norman Thayer Jr. (WINNER)
Warren Beatty – Reds as John Silas “Jack” Reed
Burt Lancaster – Atlantic City as Lou Pascal
Dudley Moore – Arthur as Arthur Bach
Paul Newman – Absence of Malice as Michael Gallagher
Henry Fonda – On Golden Pond as Norman Thayer Jr. (WINNER)
Warren Beatty – Reds as John Silas “Jack” Reed
Burt Lancaster – Atlantic City as Lou Pascal
Dudley Moore – Arthur as Arthur Bach
Paul Newman – Absence of Malice as Michael Gallagher
Best Actress:
Katharine Hepburn – On Golden Pond as Ethel Thayer (WINNER)
Diane Keaton – Reds as Louise Bryant
Marsha Mason – Only When I Laugh as Georgia Hines
Susan Sarandon – Atlantic City as Sally Matthews
Meryl Streep – The French Lieutenant’s Woman as Sarah Woodruff/Anna
Katharine Hepburn – On Golden Pond as Ethel Thayer (WINNER)
Diane Keaton – Reds as Louise Bryant
Marsha Mason – Only When I Laugh as Georgia Hines
Susan Sarandon – Atlantic City as Sally Matthews
Meryl Streep – The French Lieutenant’s Woman as Sarah Woodruff/Anna
Best Supporting Actor:
John Gielgud – Arthur as Hobson (WINNER)
James Coco – Only When I Laugh as Jimmy Perrino
Ian Holm – Chariots of Fire as Sam Mussabini
Jack Nicholson – Reds as Eugene O’Neill
Howard E. Rollins Jr. – Ragtime as Coalhouse Walker Jr.
John Gielgud – Arthur as Hobson (WINNER)
James Coco – Only When I Laugh as Jimmy Perrino
Ian Holm – Chariots of Fire as Sam Mussabini
Jack Nicholson – Reds as Eugene O’Neill
Howard E. Rollins Jr. – Ragtime as Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Best Supporting Actress:
Maureen Stapleton – Reds as Emma Goldman (WINNER)
Melinda Dillon – Absence of Malice as Teresa Perrone
Jane Fonda – On Golden Pond as Chelsea Thayer Wayne
Joan Hackett – Only When I Laugh as Toby Landau
Elizabeth McGovern – Ragtime as Evelyn Nesbit
Maureen Stapleton – Reds as Emma Goldman (WINNER)
Melinda Dillon – Absence of Malice as Teresa Perrone
Jane Fonda – On Golden Pond as Chelsea Thayer Wayne
Joan Hackett – Only When I Laugh as Toby Landau
Elizabeth McGovern – Ragtime as Evelyn Nesbit
Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen:
Chariots of Fire – Colin Welland (WINNER)
Absence of Malice – Kurt Luedtke
Arthur – Steve Gordon
Atlantic City – John Guare
Reds – Warren Beatty and Trevor Griffiths
Chariots of Fire – Colin Welland (WINNER)
Absence of Malice – Kurt Luedtke
Arthur – Steve Gordon
Atlantic City – John Guare
Reds – Warren Beatty and Trevor Griffiths
Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium:
On Golden Pond – Ernest Thompson based on his play (WINNER)
The French Lieutenant’s Woman – Harold Pinter based on the novel by John Fowles
Pennies from Heaven – Dennis Potter based on his TV series
Prince of the City – Jay Presson Allen and Sidney Lumet based on the book by Robert Daley
Ragtime – Michael Weller based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow
On Golden Pond – Ernest Thompson based on his play (WINNER)
The French Lieutenant’s Woman – Harold Pinter based on the novel by John Fowles
Pennies from Heaven – Dennis Potter based on his TV series
Prince of the City – Jay Presson Allen and Sidney Lumet based on the book by Robert Daley
Ragtime – Michael Weller based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow
Best Foreign Language Film:
Mephisto (Hungary) (WINNER)
The Boat Is Full (Switzerland)
Man of Iron (Poland)
Muddy River (Japan)
Three Brothers (Italy)
Mephisto (Hungary) (WINNER)
The Boat Is Full (Switzerland)
Man of Iron (Poland)
Muddy River (Japan)
Three Brothers (Italy)
Best Documentary Feature:
Genocide – Arnold Schwartzman and Rabbi Marvin Hier (WINNER)
Against Wind and Tide: A Cuban Odyssey – Suzanne Bauman, Paul Neshamkin and Jim Burroughs
Brooklyn Bridge – Ken Burns
Eight Minutes to Midnight: A Portrait of Dr. Helen Caldicott – Mary Benjamin, Susanne Simpson and Boyd Estus
El Salvador: Another Vietnam – Glenn Silber and Tete Vasconcellos
Genocide – Arnold Schwartzman and Rabbi Marvin Hier (WINNER)
Against Wind and Tide: A Cuban Odyssey – Suzanne Bauman, Paul Neshamkin and Jim Burroughs
Brooklyn Bridge – Ken Burns
Eight Minutes to Midnight: A Portrait of Dr. Helen Caldicott – Mary Benjamin, Susanne Simpson and Boyd Estus
El Salvador: Another Vietnam – Glenn Silber and Tete Vasconcellos
Best Documentary Short Subject:
Close Harmony – Nigel Noble (WINNER)
Americas in Transition – Obie Benz
Journey for Survival – Dick Young
See What I Say – Linda Chapman, Pam LeBlanc and Freddi Stevens
Urge to Build – Roland Hallé and John Hoover
Close Harmony – Nigel Noble (WINNER)
Americas in Transition – Obie Benz
Journey for Survival – Dick Young
See What I Say – Linda Chapman, Pam LeBlanc and Freddi Stevens
Urge to Build – Roland Hallé and John Hoover
Best Live Action Short Film:
Violet – Paul Kemp and Shelley Levinson (WINNER)
Couples and Robbers – Christine Oestreicher
First Winter – John N. Smith
Violet – Paul Kemp and Shelley Levinson (WINNER)
Couples and Robbers – Christine Oestreicher
First Winter – John N. Smith
Best Animated Short Film:
Crac – Frédéric Back (WINNER)
The Creation – Will Vinton
The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin – Janet Perlman
Crac – Frédéric Back (WINNER)
The Creation – Will Vinton
The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin – Janet Perlman
Best Original Score:
Chariots of Fire – Vangelis (WINNER)
Dragonslayer – Alex North
On Golden Pond – Dave Grusin
Ragtime – Randy Newman
Raiders of the Lost Ark – John Williams
Chariots of Fire – Vangelis (WINNER)
Dragonslayer – Alex North
On Golden Pond – Dave Grusin
Ragtime – Randy Newman
Raiders of the Lost Ark – John Williams
Best Original Song:
“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” from Arthur – Music by Burt Bacharach; Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross and Peter Allen (WINNER)
“Endless Love” from Endless Love – Music and Lyrics by Lionel Richie
“The First Time It Happens” from The Great Muppet Caper – Music and Lyrics by Joe Raposo
“For Your Eyes Only” from For Your Eyes Only – Music by Bill Conti; Lyrics by Mick Leeson
“One More Hour” from Ragtime – Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman
“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” from Arthur – Music by Burt Bacharach; Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross and Peter Allen (WINNER)
“Endless Love” from Endless Love – Music and Lyrics by Lionel Richie
“The First Time It Happens” from The Great Muppet Caper – Music and Lyrics by Joe Raposo
“For Your Eyes Only” from For Your Eyes Only – Music by Bill Conti; Lyrics by Mick Leeson
“One More Hour” from Ragtime – Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman
Best Sound:
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Bill Varney, Steve Maslow, Gregg Landaker and Roy Charman (WINNER)
On Golden Pond – Richard Portman and David M. Ronne
Outland – John Wilkinson, Robert W. Glass Jr., Robert Thirlwell and Robin Gregory
Pennies from Heaven – Michael J. Kohut, Jay M. Harding, Richard Tyler and Al Overton Jr.
Reds – Dick Vorisek, Tom Fleischman and Simon Kaye
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Bill Varney, Steve Maslow, Gregg Landaker and Roy Charman (WINNER)
On Golden Pond – Richard Portman and David M. Ronne
Outland – John Wilkinson, Robert W. Glass Jr., Robert Thirlwell and Robin Gregory
Pennies from Heaven – Michael J. Kohut, Jay M. Harding, Richard Tyler and Al Overton Jr.
Reds – Dick Vorisek, Tom Fleischman and Simon Kaye
Best Makeup:
An American Werewolf in London – Rick Baker (WINNER)
Heartbeeps – Stan Winston
An American Werewolf in London – Rick Baker (WINNER)
Heartbeeps – Stan Winston
Best Costume Design:
Chariots of Fire – Milena Canonero (WINNER)
The French Lieutenant’s Woman – Tom Rand
Pennies from Heaven – Bob Mackie
Ragtime – Anna Hill Johnstone
Reds – Shirley Russell
Chariots of Fire – Milena Canonero (WINNER)
The French Lieutenant’s Woman – Tom Rand
Pennies from Heaven – Bob Mackie
Ragtime – Anna Hill Johnstone
Reds – Shirley Russell
Best Art Direction:
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Art Direction: Norman Reynolds and Leslie Dilley; Set Decoration: Michael Ford (WINNER)
The French Lieutenant’s Woman – Art Direction: Assheton Gorton; Set Decoration: Ann Mollo
Heaven’s Gate – Art Direction: Tambi Larsen; Set Decoration: James L. Berkey
Ragtime – Art Direction: John Graysmark, Patrizia von Brandenstein and Anthony Reading; Set Decoration: George DeTitta Sr., George DeTitta Jr. and Peter Howitt
Reds – Art Direction: Richard Sylbert; Set Decoration: Michael Seirton
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Art Direction: Norman Reynolds and Leslie Dilley; Set Decoration: Michael Ford (WINNER)
The French Lieutenant’s Woman – Art Direction: Assheton Gorton; Set Decoration: Ann Mollo
Heaven’s Gate – Art Direction: Tambi Larsen; Set Decoration: James L. Berkey
Ragtime – Art Direction: John Graysmark, Patrizia von Brandenstein and Anthony Reading; Set Decoration: George DeTitta Sr., George DeTitta Jr. and Peter Howitt
Reds – Art Direction: Richard Sylbert; Set Decoration: Michael Seirton
Best Cinematography:
Reds – Vittorio Storaro (WINNER)
Excalibur – Alex Thomson
On Golden Pond – Billy Williams
Ragtime – Miroslav Ondrícek
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Douglas Slocombe
Reds – Vittorio Storaro (WINNER)
Excalibur – Alex Thomson
On Golden Pond – Billy Williams
Ragtime – Miroslav Ondrícek
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Douglas Slocombe
Best Film Editing:
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Michael Kahn (WINNER)
Chariots of Fire – Terry Rawlings
The French Lieutenant’s Woman – John Bloom
On Golden Pond – Robert L. Wolfe (posthumous nomination)
Reds – Dede Allen and Craig McKay
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Michael Kahn (WINNER)
Chariots of Fire – Terry Rawlings
The French Lieutenant’s Woman – John Bloom
On Golden Pond – Robert L. Wolfe (posthumous nomination)
Reds – Dede Allen and Craig McKay
Best Visual Effects:
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Richard Edlund, Kit West, Bruce Nicholson and Joe Johnston (WINNER)
Dragonslayer – Dennis Muren, Phil Tippett, Ken Ralston and Brian Johnson
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Richard Edlund, Kit West, Bruce Nicholson and Joe Johnston (WINNER)
Dragonslayer – Dennis Muren, Phil Tippett, Ken Ralston and Brian Johnson
Honorary Academy Award:
Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:
Danny Kaye
Danny Kaye
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award:
Albert R. Broccoli
Albert R. Broccoli
Gordon E. Sawyer Award:
Joseph B. Walker
Joseph B. Walker
Special Achievement Academy Award:
Ben Burtt and Richard L. Anderson for Raiders of the Lost Ark for Sound Effects Editing
Ben Burtt and Richard L. Anderson for Raiders of the Lost Ark for Sound Effects Editing