Sidney Poitier became the first African American to win the Best Actor Oscar and the only one until Denzel Washington for Training Day (2001), 38 years later. By a strange coincidence, Washington won the Best Actor award on the same night when Poitier received an Honorary Oscar.

Melvyn Douglas was not present at the awards ceremony. His co-star Brandon De Wilde accepted the award on his behalf.

Patricia Neal was not present at the awards ceremony. Annabella accepted the award on her behalf.

Margaret Rutherford was not present at the awards ceremony.Peter Ustinov accepted the award on her behalf.

Tony Richardson was not present at the awards ceremony. Edith Evans accepted the award on his behalf.

Not awarded.

Not awarded.

For the engineering of an improved Background Process Projection System.