On May 16, 1929, the first-ever Academy Awards came into existence, becoming a symbol of prime excellence in the film industry. Over the decades of cinema, the Awards, also known as the Oscars, stood out as the most coveted prize that actors, directors, writers, and everyone associated with filmmaking looked forward to as a hallowed recognition of their efforts. However, among the many giants that have shaped Hollywood and film culture as a whole, there have come pioneers who have amassed more acclaim than any other possibly could.

As the chapter turns and the 96th Academy Awards knock at the doors for a March 10, 2024 ceremony, a look at the pages of history lays bare who has managed to run the farthest in this race for Oscars.

1. Walt Disney and his tryst with Oscars nominations

The co-founder of today’s billion-dollar empire, the name remains synonymous with technical innovation in cinema, particularly in the aspect of animation. Walt Disney holds the record for the highest number of Oscar nominations, with a whopping 59 to his name. Moreover, he also holds the most number of competitive Oscar wins at 22 in addition to four honorary ones. The decorated wins came across various categories, including Best Short Subject (Cartoon) and Best Documentary (Feature).

Walt Disney won his first-ever competitive Oscar in 1932, for the film Flowers and Trees. Meanwhile, his last Academy Award came posthumously in 1969 for Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. The animation stalwart has also received the coveted prize for the creation of Mickey Mouse as well as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Additionally, he also received a Best Picture nomination in 1965 for Mary Poppins, which, despite a loss, added stellar repute to his legacy.

2. Cedric Gibbons set the stage for art

In 1930, Cedric Gibbon won his first Oscar in the Best Art Direction category for his work on The Bridge of San Luis Rey. The win would only set him on a course of further determination as he amassed the record for a staggering 39 nominations and 11 Academy Award wins, the most for any person in the same category. Additionally, beyond the Oscars, his role as a pioneer in shaping the visual landscapes for the movies of his time as well as setting the frame for future generations to come remains unchallenged.

Playing a key role in shaping the identity of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios, he won the Oscars for Best Art Direction from the 1920s to the 1950s for The Merry Widow, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Souls of the Sea, You Can’t Take It with You, Gone with the Wind, Blossoms in the Dust, Mrs. Miniver, Gaslight, The Yearling, and Somebody Up There Likes Me. Most importantly, Cedric Gibbons happens to be the man who designed the Oscar statuette itself, a milestone of his legacy.

3. John Williams and his musical prowess

Music serves the soul of any good cinema and this very fact has received several reinforcements, including the most recent being Ludwig Göransson, taking his track for Oppenheimer to new heights. Along these lines, 92-year-old composer John Williams has himself in the record books for the most Oscar nominations for a living person with 54, trailing only behind Walt Disney for most nods. Additionally, he has also won five Academy Awards in the Original Score category, in a resounding proof of the power of music.

John Williams received his first Oscar in 1972 for Fiddler on the Roof and has since won the rest for 1975’s Jaws, 1977’s Star Wars, 1982’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and 1993’s Schnidler’s List. Out of his 54 Oscar nominations, a whopping 48 stand for Best Original Score. Moreover, at the age of 91, in 2023, he broke his record for the oldest person ever to be nominated for an Academy Award with another nod for The Fablemans.

4. Katharine Hepburn and her Academy Awards stellar record

With a career spanning six decades, the actress has performed in a multitude of genres ranging from romantic dramas to strict comedies and from historical epics to literary adaptations. For the Oscars, Katharine Hepburn holds the record for most Best Actress nominations at twelve. Marking her first Best Actress Oscar win in 1934 for Morning Glory, she would go on to win three more for 1967’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, 1968’s The Lion in Winter, and 1981’s On Golden Pond.

Hepburn’s record of four Best Actress Academy Awards still stands. However, her importance ranks beyond the recognition as a cultural icon with her roles focused on breaking stereotypes and highlighting societal prejudices, becoming a gleaming beacon for women all over, and leaving a lasting impact on the film industry while continuing to serve as an inspiration for upcoming female artists worldwide.

5. Meryl Streep and her Oscars legacy

Meryl Streep ranks just below Katharine Hepburn and alongside Ingrid Bergman and Frances McDormand with three wins for an actress at the Oscars. However, she holds the Academy Awards record for most nominations for any actor with 21 to her name. Additionally, of those 17 stand for Best Actress nods and the remainder of 4 for Best Supporting Actress. Streep won her first Academy Award win came in 1980 for her supporting role in Kramer vs. Kramer and her latest being the 2012 win for Best Actress for The Iron Lady.

Famed for delivering one of the most memorable acceptance speeches, Meryl Streep has also won the Oscars for 1982’s Sophie’s Choice, her three to date. Known for her wide versatility in roles and range of acting, the actress has starred in everything ranging from romantic dramas to comedies and from biopics to thrillers. Furthermore, with an active voice for supporting the right, her impact on Hollywood stands forged in iron.

What are your thoughts on the Oscar records by the above five people with arguably the most impact? Let us know in the comments below.