Pretend Oscar winner treated like royalty in Hollywood

A Hollywood prankster has proven a fake Academy Award is enough to enjoy all the perks of stardom.

Mark David Christenson filmed his adventures strutting around Los Angeles in a tuxedo and a bogus award statuette — exploiting the fact that many Oscar winners are no-name filmmakers nominated for obscure technical categories.

No one recognised Christenson but flashing his Oscar gave him the keys to the city.

Strangers stopped him to take pictures, he accepted freebies like movie tickets and drinks and food, and he waltzed past security into a VIP area of the actual ceremony.

A parking lot attendant was so trustworthy of the supposed Oscar winner that he gave Christenson a BMW from valet parking even though he had no ticket. (Christenson later returned the luxury car, he said).

The stunt was orchestrated by online magazine NewMediaRockstars.