History of the first Oscars held at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1929

"It was the shortest Oscar ceremony. It was 15 minutes long. That's all. We handed 12 statuettes, and it cost you $5 to eat here that night. The movie "Wings" was the big winner that night, and there was a special honor for Mr. Charlie Chaplin."

"This is where she becomes Marilyn Monroe. She is brought to this hotel in 1950 when we opened the cabanas as Norma Jean. And she was an aspiring actress, and she takes her very first photo shoot at the Tropicana pool on this diving board."

"The Hollywood Roosevelt is also the only hotel on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where you can step out from the front doors onto the walk and feel like a star."

The 98th Academy Awards will take place in 2026 at the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, which has hosted the ceremony since 2002. However, the original Oscar ceremony occurred on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel—the only ceremony never televised or broadcast on radio. This historic 15-minute event awarded 12 statuettes and cost $5 for dinner. "Wings" won the top honor, and Charlie Chaplin received special recognition. The Hollywood Roosevelt remains significant in entertainment history, hosting numerous celebrities including Clark Gable, Carol Lombard, Prince, and Lady Gaga. The hotel is notably the only hotel on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Read at ABC7 Los Angeles