On what would have been his 83rd birthday, I remember Robert Forster’s great nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1997’s Jackie Brown. Many people had assumed his fifth slot would go to Rupert Everett in My Best Friend’s Wedding, and he hadn’t been nominated for any precursors. It’s one of the best suprise nominations ever!

This article is part of a special year-long series of anecdotes, reflections and thoughts about the Academy Awards.