Top Academy Awards of 1966
 

The Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role when to Sandy Dennis for her work in the classic, “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” The film broke barriers, touched on taboo topics and pushed the career of the four lead actors to the next level. Dennis played the role of Honey, and offered a true tour de force. The role was a vehicle for her to display her capable versatility.

Walter Matthau took the top honors in the supporting actor category for his role of Willie Gingrich in “The Fortune Cookie.” The film was yet another that starred both Matthau and Jack Lemmon. When these two are on screen together, it is impossible to pull your eyes away. Matthau continued to enjoy an incredible film career that spanned six decades. He worked right up to his death, his final film, “Hanging Up,” released just before his passing.

Hollywood sweetheart Elizabeth Taylor took the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her portrayal of Martha in “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Her performance opposite Richard Burton, George Segal and Sandy Dennis was one of the highlights of cinema in 1966. To this day, this performance is considered the finest of her career. This was Taylor's 2nd Oscar.

Paul Scofield topped a star-studded category for Best Actor in a Leading Role. The other nominees included: Richard Burton, Steve McQueen, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin. Scofield won the award for his role of Thomas More in “A Man for All Seasons.” Scofield wasn't actually at the ceremony, and when informed of his win, he suggested he and his wife “might open a bottle of champagne with another couple.”

Fred Zinnemann took the Oscar for achievement in directing, beating out favorite, Mike Nichols. Zinnemann expertly crafted “A Man for All Seasons,” a drama based on the story of Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the king desired to break away from Catholicism because he desired a divorce. Zinnemann also directed other cinema classics such as “From Here to Eternity,” “High Noon” and “Oklahoma!”

The period drama “A Man for All Seasons” continued its run to Oscar glory, being award the best motion picture from 1966. The film was produced by Highland Films, and was distributed by Columbia Pictures. “A Man for All Seasons” beat out what many thought would easily take the Oscar, “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”