Today in history april 2 what happened on this day oscars streaker 20250401 p5rol6.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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TODAY IN HISTORY: The tragic end of the naked man who stunned the Oscars

Nick Pearson
Nick Pearson

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The Academy Awards was interrupted by a streaker who dashed across the stage in the nude on April 2, 1974.

Host David Niven was introducing the next presenter when San Francisco art gallery owner Robert Opel ran across the stage.

Attribution: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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The crowd shrieked as Opel ran behind Niven, flashing a peace sign as he ran.

Attribution: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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The unflappable Niven quipped: "Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?"

Attribution: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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Immediately afterwards, Elizabeth Taylor came onto stage to present the award for Best Picture.

"That's a hard act to follow," she laughed.

Opel faded into obscurity after his stunt, before he was murdered five years later in a robbery at his studio.

Attribution: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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If he had held onto his stake, Wayne would be one of the richest men in the world.

But Wayne said he never had "the slightest pangs of regret".

"My contribution was not so great that I felt I had been diddled with in any way," he said.

"It was like having a tiger by the tail and I couldn't keep up with (Wozniak and Jobs)."

Attribution: Not Supplied
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