How They’ve Managed to Stop the Show

One thing you can usually rely on at the Academy Awards is the appearance of somebody who’s been out of the public eye for a while.

While not exactly anonymous, Jane Fonda, newly estranged from third husband Ted Turner, is making a grand return to Hollywood as a presenter on March 26 after several years in “retirement.”

It’s the first time the Oscar-winning actress has been a presenter in a decade and her fourth time she’s participated in the past 31 years.

Over the years, there have been countless memorable reappearances at the Academy Awards. Here’s a look at some of the more notable:

Ingrid Bergman: The Oscar-winning superstar was ostracized from Hollywood for nearly six years due to her “illicit” affair with director Roberto Rossellini while she was still married. The press and the public firmly shut the door on her after she gave birth in 1950 to their first child, out of wedlock. All was forgiven by 1957--Bergman’s marriage with Rossellini had ended in divorce and she won the best actress Oscar for 1956’s “Anastasia.” Though she was in Paris when she won that Academy Award, Bergman finally made her first Oscar appearance since the scandal in 1959. Hollywood gave the prodigal daughter a standing ovation. Cary Grant, her co-star in “Notorious” and “Indiscreet,” introduced the actress, who was presenting the best picture Oscar. Bergman told the audience: “Thank you for this most heartening welcome.” She picked up a third Oscar for best supporting actress for 1974’s “Murder on the Orient Express.”

Elizabeth Taylor: Nominated for best actress of 1960 for “Butterfield 8,” a frail but still radiant Taylor showed up for the ceremonies at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1961 with her fourth spouse, Eddie Fisher. It was her first public appearance since her very well-publicized battle with pneumonia--her tracheotomy scar was very much in evidence. When Taylor won the Oscar for her role as a high-class call girl, Fisher accompanied her to the top of the stairs--Taylor made it to the podium by herself. “All I can say is thank you, thank you, with all my heart,” she told the cheering crowd. She then proceeded to the bathroom and passed out.

Charlie Chaplin: A week shy of his 83rd birthday, the gray-haired Chaplin drew thunderous applause and a standing ovation as he took the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 1972 to receive a special Oscar from presenter Jack Lemmon for “the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of the century.” It was Chaplin’s first trip to America after living in Europe for 20 years because of political reasons. Chaplin donned his Little Tramp bowler hat and movingly told the crowd: “Words seem, oh, so futile, so feeble. This is a very emotional moment for me. You are wonderful . . . sweet people.”

Katharine Hepburn: Though the Oscar ceremony in 1974 is best known for the streaker running across the stage during David Niven’s appearance, these Academy Awards also marked the first and only appearance of Katharine Hepburn. She was a no-show when she won her three best actress Oscars. Hepburn shocked the audience as she strolled out in a black pantsuit to give the Irving G. Thalberg Award to her friend, producer Lawrence Weingarten. She told the crowd: “I’m so glad no one called out, ‘It’s about time.’ ”

Also appearing that night to present the best actress Oscar award with Charlton Heston was veteran Susan Hayward, who had been battling cancer for three years. Suffering from a brain tumor, the Oscar-winner for “I Want to Live!” was down to just 85 pounds and bald after cobalt treatments. Hayward, still beautiful in a red wig and a flattering Nolan Miller gown, glowed over her peers’ loving reception. Less than a year later, Hayward was dead.

John Wayne: A fragile and frighteningly thin version of his robust former self--Wayne made his last appearance at the Oscars in 1979 to present the best picture honors. The audience gave the actor, who was dying from cancer, a sustained standing ovation. Two months later, the Duke was dead at age 72.

Henry Fonda: After being nominated as best actor of 1940 for “The Grapes of Wrath” and for producing the 1957 best film nominee “Twelve Angry Men,” the ailing veteran actor finally received his first Oscar in 1981 “in recognition of his brilliant accomplishments and enduring contributions.” “It’s been a very rewarding 46 years for me and this has got to be the climax,” he told the audience, who had given him a standing ovation. A year later, Fonda won the best actor Oscar for “On Golden Pond” but his trophy was accepted by his teary-eyed daughter Jane because he was too ill too attend the ceremony.

Barbara Stanwyck: On March 29, 1982, Barbara Stanwyck received her first Oscar after being nominated for “Stella Dallas,” “Ball of Fire,” “Double Indemnity” and “Sorry, Wrong Number.” She received the evening’s sole standing ovation when she walked out to receive her honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement. She praised William Holden--who had died a few months earlier. He made his film debut with Stanwyck in 1939’s “Golden Boy” and had always wanted her to get an Academy Award. Fighting back tears, she told the audience: “Tonight, my golden boy, you’ve got your wish!”

Federico Fellini: The legendary Italian director brought down the house in March 1993, when he received an honorary Oscar for “his cinematic accomplishments that have thrilled and entertained worldwide audiences.” Stars Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni presented the award.

Christopher Reeve: Less than a year after the horse-riding accident that would leave him a quadriplegic, the “Superman” star made a surprise appearance in 1996. Producer Gil Cates had managed to keep Reeve’s participation a secret until he was wheeled out on stage. After the ovation died down, Reeve introduced a montage of clips from films dealing with social issues.

Elia Kazan: Academy members haven’t been so polarized as they were last year when the legendary director of “On the Waterfront” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” was awarded an honorary Oscar. Passions still ran deep over the fact that Kazan had named names during the ‘50s blacklist. Not only were there demonstrations outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion over Kazan’s Oscar, audience members also demonstrated their disappreciation. When the 89-year-old director came out to receive his award from Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, he was met with polite applause from some audience members, but others, like Nick Nolte and Ed Harris, sat in their seats and glared.